Performance and carcass yield of crossbred dairy steers fed diets with different levels of concentrate

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of diets with increasing concentrate levels (170, 340, 510 and 680 g/kg of total dry matter) on dry matter intake, digestibility, performance and carcass characteristics of 25 Holstein-Zebu crossbred dairy steers in a feedlot. A completely randomized design was used, and data were submitted to analysis of variance and regression. The dry matter intake and digestibility coefficients of all nutrients increased linearly. The total weight gain and average daily gain added 1.16 kg and 9.90 g, respectively, for each 10 g/kg increase in concentrate. The empty body weight, hot carcass weight and cold carcass weight responded linearly to increasing concentrate. The hot carcass yield and cold carcass yield, gains in empty body weight and carcass gain were also influenced, as were the efficiencies of carcass deposition and carcass deposition rate. It is concluded that increasing concentrate levels in feedlot diets increase the intake and digestibility of dry matter and other nutrients, improving the feed efficiency, performance and physical characteristics of the carcass. Furthermore and of importance concerning the climate change debate, evidence from the literature indicates that enteric methane production would be reduced with increasing concentrate levels such as those used.

Effect of high‐concentrate diets on mRNA expression of genes related to muscle fiber type and metabolism of psoas major muscle in goats

“…It is reported that high‐concentrate diets can bring some positive changes in milk yield, milk composition, and milk fatty acid content of dairy cows and dairy goats (Dong et al, 2017; Magan et al, 2021). On the other hand, it is worth noting that high‐concentrate diets also play a role in the growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of ruminants (Da et al, 2015; Geng et al, 2020; Majdoub‐Mathlouthi et al, 2013).…”

<b>Cuts of dairy-origin cattle fed mesquite pod meal in replacement of corn

“…Shoulder yield in the present study (15.61%) was close to that described by Melo et al (2007) with mixed dairy-origin cattle, whose value found was 17.20%. Silva et al (2015) conducted a research with crossbred dairy-origin calves (Holstein-Zebu) and described hot and cold carcass yields of 54 and 52%, respectively, for the treatment that received lower concentrate level (17%). These carcass yield values are compatible with those described by Dian et al (2006), who worked with ½ Nelore x ½ Angus calves in feedlots, and Freitas et al (2008), who used super early and early animals, receiving 40% of concentrate.…”

Desempeño y calidad de carne de bovinos en confinamiento alimentados con diferentes niveles de subproductos agrícolas

“…Lo anterior puede explicar el comportamiento en el consumo y ganancias de peso de este estudio, los cuales son bajos cuando comparados con estudios utilizando dietas con menores cantidades de FDN y FDA. Resultados similares a este estudio fueron obtenidos por (18), quienes al alimentar novillos mestizos con dietas que contenían 5.35 y 65% de concentrado, observaron valores de CMS entre 6.6 y 8. Con relación a los parámetros de la canal, puede observarse que están dentro de los parámetros reportados para razas cebuínas (20).…”