Effects of Programmed Compensatory Gain on Feedlot Steer Performance
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE(2023)
摘要
Abstract The objective was to determine the effects of programmed compensatory gain on feedlot steer growth performance. After a period of growth restriction, a return to ad libitum intake will result in compensatory gain as cattle convert feed more efficiently due to reduced maintenance costs. Simmental × Angus steers (n = 159; BW = 278 ± 49 kg) were blocked by BW, stratified by sire, and allotted to 10 pens. Each pen contained a 3.0 m-long bunk to allow 19 cm of linear bunk space per steer. Pens were randomly assigned to one of two treatments on d 0: control (CON) or programmed compensatory gain (PCG). To achieve programmed compensatory gain, previously growing animals were maintained at a constant BW by reducing the amount of feed offered by 3.29% daily for 10 consecutive d. Thus, on d 54, PCG steers were consuming 72% of original dry matter intake (DMI) and subsequently returned to ad libitum intake to facilitate a period of compensatory gain. Feed intake for CON pens was managed using slick bunk management for the entire experiment. Steers were fed a common diet consisting of 20% corn silage, 20% modified wet distillers grains, 25% high moisture corn, 25% dry rolled corn, and 10% supplement inclusion on a dry matter basis. Steers were feed twice daily at 0800 h and 1200 h. Data were analyzed using MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4 using a beta distribution. The model included fixed effects of treatment and block. From d 39 to 63, average daily gain (ADG) was greater (P = 0.03) for PCG steers compared with CON steers. No treatment effect (P = 0.36) for dry matter intake was observed from d 39 to 63 as PCG and CON steers were consuming 9.49 and 9.67 kg, respectively. Thus, PCG steers had a greater (P = 0.01) gain:feed (G:F) than CON steers from d 39 to 63. Body weight was not different (P = 0.38) on d 148. Also, ADG from d 0 to 148 was not different (P = 0.54) as PCG and CON steers gained 1.92 and 1.91 kg, respectively. From d 0 to 148, overall dry matter intake was not affected (P = 0.91) by treatment. However, programmed compensatory gain steers had a greater G:F (P = 0.01) compared with CON steers for the overall feeding period (0.216 vs 0.210, respectively). In conclusion, programmed compensatory gain improved G:F of feedlot steers over a 148 d-finishing phase without affecting final body weight. Effects of programmed compensatory gain should be further evaluated in a commercial setting with large feedlot pens.
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关键词
beef cattle,feedlot,limit feeding
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