Differences in the behavior of the crossbred steers of different sire lines of Japanese Black cattle

We determined differences in the behavior of the progeny of two major sire lines of Japanese Black cattle by recording the behavior of 35 and 70 half-sib steers of sires from fast (FG) and slow (SG) growing lines, respectively. Two sire lines of steers were mixed and allocated to nine pens with 11–12 animals per pen. The proportion of steers lying was significantly (P < 0.001) higher in the SG line (43.4 ± 5.7% compared to 40.3 ± 6.0%). The proportion of time spent eating concentrate feed (FG: 12.1 ± 2.3%; SG: 11.4 ± 2.1%), drinking (FG: 0.8 ± 1.1%; SG: 0.4 ± 0.6%), licking the feed trough (FG: 0.4 ± 0.6%; SG: 0.2 ± 0.4%) and performing tongue-playing (FG: 3.1 ± 4.6%; SG: 1.0 ± 1.9%) was significantly higher in FG, whereas the proportion of time spent resting (FG: 41.5 ± 12.8%; SG: 43.7 ± 10.9%) and performing self-licking (FG: 1.7 ± 1.4%; SG: 2.1 ± 1.3%) was higher in SG (all P < 0.05). These results show progeny of the FG sire engaged in more active behaviors compared to the progeny of the SG sire line.     

吉林省肉牛品种选择与开发利用初探

结合我省肉牛生产发展的实际，从未来牛肉消费市场需求和进一步开发的可能，就肉牛品种的选择、建立肉牛杂交配套系和配套系的品种组合等方面进行了探讨。     

母牛子宫内膜炎的防治

本文分析了张掖市百万头肉牛基地母牛子宫内膜炎的发生原因，并根据临床症状讲述了诊断的依据，总结了有效的治疗方法及作者的一些临床经验和治疗体会，提出了预防措施，在母牛保健方面可供参考。     

我国西部地区肉牛产业化发展的思路与对策

分析了西部地区肉牛产业化发展的限制因素,提出了加速我国西部地区肉牛产业化发展的对策与思路,推行品种良种化、技术先进化、管理企业化的生产模式,促进肉牛生产向优质、高产、高效和持续性的产业化方向发展。     

Effects of sex and age on behavior and weight gain in beef calves after abrupt weaning

The effects of weaning on beef calves of different ages were investigated. Forty male and 40 female calves were either weaned at 6 (W6, n = 40) or 8 (W8, n = 40) months of age. The vocalization activity and behaviors (feeding, lying and standing/walking) were observed during the first 3 days following weaning. Body weight was recorded at 6 and 8 months and 2 weeks following weaning. W6 animals vocalized more often than W8 calves and females more than males on day 1 (P < 0.05). The vocalization activity decreased at a higher rate in W8 than in W6 from days 1 to 3. On day 2, W6 calves spent less time lying and more standing/walking than W8 calves (P < 0.05). The behaviors did not differ between males and females. The average daily gain after weaning did not differ between weaning ages (P > 0.05), but W8 calves gained more from 6 to 8 months of age. In conclusion, weaning distress was more pronounced in W6 than in W8 calves. W8 calves also had a superior growth performance during 6 to 8 months of age. The effect of the calves' sex was less pronounced. Therefore, it is recommended to wean beef calves later than 6 months of age.     

肉牛场生命周期估计及环境影响评价

试验采用生命周期估计(life cycle assessment,LCA)方法对江西高安某存栏1 800头的肉牛育肥场在整个育肥期间(7个月)的污染物排放量,以及污染物在全球变暖、环境酸化、富营养化、光化学臭氧合成方面对环境的影响进行了评估。系统边界包括化肥生产、农作物种植、饲料运输、肉牛生产和粪便处理。结果表明:温室气体排放量为(以CO2当量计)为11 908t,环境酸化气体排放量(以SO2当量计)为84.6t,富营养化气体排放量为(以PO43-当量计)为14.4t,光化学臭氧合成问题气体排放量为(以C2H4当量计)为1.68t。其中饲料运输主要影响全球变暖(占总排放量的49.8%)和光化学臭氧合成问题(占总排放量的54.1%),而粪便处理主要影响环境酸化(占总排放量的70.1%)和富营养化(占总排放量的76.4%),肉牛生产对环境的影响主要是全球变暖(占总排放量的18.1%)和光化学臭氧合成问题(占总排放量的30.9%)。因此,可考虑通过降低运输距离,改善饲料配方、粪便处理方式等降低污染物排放量。     

Changes in the predicted function of the rumen bacterial community of Japanese Black beef cattle during the fattening stages according to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses

We investigated changes in the predicted functions of the rumen bacterial community in Japanese Black beef cattle during fattening. Nine cattle were fed a high-concentrate diet during the early, middle, and late fattening stages consecutively (10–14, 15–22, and 23–30 months of age, respectively). The rumen fluid and solid samples collected at each stage were subjected to sequencing analyses. The sequencing results were clustered and classified into operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Representative sequences and a raw counting table for each OTU were submitted to the Piphillin website. The predicted functions were revealed by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database as the ratio of the total sequence. In the early stage, “Biosynthesis of secondary metabolites” was significantly higher in the fluid fraction than in the solid fraction. “Two-component system” in the middle stage was significantly lower and “Purine metabolism” in the late stage was significantly higher in the fluid fraction than those in the solid fraction. The fluid fraction was significantly correlated with acetic acid, propionic acid, and bacterial metabolism, such as “Biosynthesis of secondary metabolites” and “Sugar metabolism.” Moreover, the solid fraction was correlated with “Purine metabolism” and “Biosynthesis of secondary metabolism”. These results suggest that the rumen bacterial community in Japanese Black beef cattle adapts to changes in rumen conditions by altering their functions in response to a long-term high-grain diet.     

Zinc supplementation strategies in feedlot heifers receiving an extended-release implant or an aggressive re-implant program

Two hundred eight Angus-crossbred heifers (291 ± 23 kg) from four sources were used in a randomized complete block design. The objective of the study was to determine the effects of implant strategy and Zn supplementation on performance, carcass characteristics, muscle fiber diameter, and mineral status of heifers. Heifers were assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial study for 168 d, and factors included Zn and implant (IMP). Heifers were supplemented Zn (mg/kg dry matter [DM]; ZnSO₄) at national (30; NRC) or industry (100; IND) recommendations. Implant strategies (Merck Animal Health, Madison, NJ) included extended-release Revalor-XH on day 0 (REV-XH; 20 mg estradiol + 200 mg trenbolone acetate) containing four uncoated pellets and six coated pellets or the uncoated implant Revalor-200 on day 0 and again on day 91 (REV-200; 20 mg estradiol + 200 mg trenbolone acetate). Heifers were blocked by weight within source to pens of five or six heifers per pen (nine pens per treatment). A corn silage-based diet was fed during the growing period (days 0–55) followed by transition to a corn-based finishing diet. Weights were taken consecutively on days −1/0, 55/56, and 167/168. Liver and muscle from the longissimus thoracis were collected from one heifer per pen on days −5, 14, 105, and 164. Data were analyzed via Mixed Procedure of SAS. Average daily gain (ADG) and liver mineral used Period as the repeated effect. Corresponding to periods of high hormone payout from each implant, days 0–28 and 91–120 ADG were greatest for REV-200, whereas REV-XH numerically peaked during days 56–91 (IMP × Period; P = 0.02). Day 91 IND body weight tended to be heavier (P = 0.06) and day 120 body weight was heavier (P = 0.05) than NRC heifers. No effect of Zn or IMP on final body weight was observed (P ≥ 0.21). Muscle fiber cross-sectional diameter on day 164 was greater (P = 0.05) in IND than NRC. Liver Mn concentrations decreased by day 14 regardless of implant, though days 105 and 164 concentrations were lesser for REV-200 than REV-XH (IMP × Period; P = 0.02). No effects of Zn, IMP, or the interaction were observed for carcass-adjusted gain to feed, days 0–168 DM intake, hot carcass weight, or ribeye area (P ≥ 0.11). The nominal differences in performance between implant strategies suggest that extended-release implants may be an effective implant strategy to replace re-implant programs in heifers, whereas the improved performance of heifers fed IND vs. NRC during times of peak hormone payout suggests a role for Zn in periods of rapid growth.     

Osteomalacia as a result of phosphorus deficiency in beef cattle grazing subtropical native pastures in Uruguay

We investigated 2 outbreaks of osteomalacia as a result of phosphorus (P) deficiency in herds of lactating beef cows grazing subtropical native pastures in Uruguay. Cows exhibited pica, difficulty to stand and walk, rib fractures, and body weight loss even with adequate forage availability. Osteopenia and severe osteomalacia were observed on gross and histologic examination. The concentrations of bicarbonate-extractable P in soil (4.0, 4.1 mg P/kg), total P in pasture (0.9, 1.1 g P/kg), inorganic P in serum (1.0, 0.71 mmol P/L), and P in bone (73 mg P/mL) were all low. Although injectable and mineral salt supplements provided additional P in both outbreaks, these supplementary amounts were insufficient to prevent P deficiency. The P ingested by the cows from the pasture and supplements would have provided 20–55% of their daily P requirements of ~21 g P/d. Osteomalacia occurred in cattle at the 2 ranches as a result of severe P deficiency in the soil and forage, and inadequate P supplementation. Following diagnosis, control of P deficiency in beef cattle requires estimation of the amount of pasture P ingested and provision of sufficient additional supplementary P to meet the animals’ requirements.     

肉牛自动化无应激动态称重系统的设计与试验

【目的】牛只体重数据是衡量牛体健康生长发育的重要指标,定期对牛只称重对实施精细化养殖有重要意义。【方法】采用带围栏的地磅称重、月龄推算、体尺估算测量以及采用保定架等方法对肉牛进行静态称重。【结果】可以实现肉牛全程无障碍通过,在肉牛自然行走状态下监测出肉牛体重信息,有效避免了肉牛产生应激反应;称重效率高,系统锁定肉牛有效体重数据在2~4 s。平均每头牛从进入通道排队到称重结束,时间在10 s之内。肉牛速度较快通过称重平台时,误差在0.5%以下;肉牛在行走—停顿运动状态和平稳行走运动状态下,误差在0.2%以下。【结论】肉牛无应激自动化动态称重系统,主要由主体机械结构框架、RFID无线射频识别系统、供电系统、称重系统、数据传输5部分组成。