Performance, carcass characteristics and ingestive behavior of steers fed with silages of different maize hybrids

Abstract

Performance, carcass characteristics and ingestive behaviorof steers fed with silages of different maize hybrids  [Desempenho, características da carcaça e comportamento ingestivo de novilhos alimentados com silagens de diferentes híbridos de milho] ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to evaluate the performance, carcass characteristics and ingestive behavior of feedlot steers fed with three maize hybrids: Maximus VIP3, Defender VIP and Feroz VIP. The experiment lasted 112 days, weighing animals four times, every 28 days. The experimental diets were formulated and constituted by maize silage and pelletized ration in a 50:50 ratio (dry basis). Regardless of the hybrid used, there was an increase in the intake of dry matter with the advance in feedlot evaluation period (9.15, 9.14, 9.35 and 9.59kg day -1 , in the first, second, third and fourth weighing, respectively). The type of maize hybrid silage influenced weight gain of animals differently, with a final mean of 1.413kg for animals fed with Maximus VIP3, 1,375kg for those fed with Defender VIP and 1,184kg for those fed with Feroz VIP. The animals fed with Feroz VIP hybrid silage showed higher carcass gain efficiency and were more active in the number of times they went to the feeder. Although the three evaluated hybrids resulted in good animal performance, the carcass characteristics did not change; nevertheless, the hybrid Maximus VIP3 is recommended for its superior bromatological composition. RESUMOO objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar desempenho, características da carcaça e comportamento ingestivo de novilhos terminados em confinamento alimentados com silagens dos híbridos de milho: Maximus VIP3, Defender VIP e Feroz VIP. O experimento teve duração de 112 dias, sendo quatro pesagens a cada 28 dias. As dietas experimentais foram formuladas e constituídas por silagem de milho e ração peletizada em proporção de 50:50, na base seca. Independentemente do híbrido utilizado, houve aumento conforme avanço na fase de terminação (9,15; 9,14; 9,35 e 9,59kg dia-1, na primeira, segunda, terceira e quarta pesagens, respectivamente). A distinção da silagem de milho determinou diferença no ganho de peso dos animais, com média final de 1,413kg para os animais tratados com Maximus VIP3, 1,375kg para os tratados com Defender VIP e 1,184 para aqueles alimentados com Feroz VIP. Os animais alimentados com silagem do híbrido Feroz VIP apresentaram maior eficiência de ganho de carcaça e foram mais ativos ao número de vezes em ir ao comedouro. Apesar dos três híbridos avaliados proporcionarem bons resultados relacionados ao desempenho animal, as características da carcaça não sofreram alterações; mesmo assim, recomenda-se o híbrido Maximus VIP3 por sua superioridade bromatológica. Palavras-chave: bromatologia, fases de confinamento, ganho de peso, híbridos silageiros, Zea mays L Recebido em 21 de setembro de 2018 Aceito em 29 de dezembro de 2018

Effects of Hybrid and Grain Maturity Stage on the Ruminal Degradation and the Nutritive Value of Maize Forage for Silage

“…Vials containing only inoculum were used for blank correction. Once filled, the vials were sealed with rubber stoppers and aluminum caps, shaken and placed in an incubator (Shel Lab, Sheldon Manufacturing, Inc., Cornelius, OR, USA) at 39 ± 0.5 • C. The gas pressure in the headspace was measured manually by inserting a sterile needle connected to the pressure transducer at 3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24,30,36,48,60,72,96, and 144 h after inoculation. The volume of gas produced was estimated from the pressure values as proposed by López et al [13].…”

“…The silage resulting from harvesting maize whole-plant at the dent grain stage (R5) was different among the hybrids in terms of chemical composition, with a relatively low NDF content and high starch concentration for the Maximus hybrid [21].…”

“…In situ degradation kinetics of silage from the three hybrids were assessed at stage R5, because at this stage silages were produced with suitable DM intake and acceptable contents of starch and digestible fiber [21]. Krämer-Schmid et al [25] highlighted the importance of the potential degradation of NDF and of the starch concentration on DM degradability to explain the differences found among various maize hybrids.…”

Combination of carbohydrases and essential oils improve dietary performance of feedlot steers on a high-energy diet

“…where ADCG = average daily carcass gain; ACG = average carcass gain (kg) during the feedlot period, and FP = feedlot period (days). The efficiency of transformation of the dry matter intake into carcass (ECC) was also calculated, expressed in kg DM kg carcass -1 , calculations performed as proposed by Horst et al (2019).…”

“…Based on the period of 70 days of feedlot, the average daily carcass gain (ADCG) in kg day -1 and calculated as following: = average daily carcass gain; ACG = average carcass gain (kg) during the feedlot period, and eriod (days). The efficiency of transformation of the dry matter intake into carcass (ECC) was , expressed in kg DM kg carcass -1 , calculations performed as proposed by Horst et al (2019). obtained for each variable were tested for normality by the Shapiro-Wilk test (PROC ) and for homogeneity by the Bartlett test (PROC GLM).…”