Measuring Improvements in Performance of Steers and Heifers During Finishing Phases

Changes in steer and heifer finishing performance impact the relative competitiveness of the beef industry. This study examined improvements in the finishing performance of steers and heifers from January 1990 to December 1998. Data were obtained from monthly issues of the Focus on Feedlots newsletter. Steer and heifer performance were measured using ADG, feed efficiency, the rate of technological change, and the rate of change in total feeding cost. The rate of technological change measured shifts in the production frontier for steers and heifers. The rate of change in total feeding cost measured shifts in the cost frontier. ADG improved 0.99% per year for steers and 0.96% per year for heifers. Feed efficiency improved 0.60% per year for steers and 0.72% per year for heifers. The rate of technological change averaged 0.58% per year for steers and 1.01% per year for heifers. The positive rates of technological change indicated that the rate of change in BW gain was greater than the rate of change in feed fed. Total feeding cost for heifers increased by 0.63% per year. For steers, the rate of change in total feeding costs was positive, but insignificant. The higher rate of cost increase for heifers was the result of relatively large increases in BW gain for heifers during the study.     

Influence of Betaine on Pasture,Finishing, and Carcass Performance in Steers

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of supplemental betaine on steer performance, fat deposition, and carcass characteristics. In Exp. 1 (grazing phase), 80 steers (317 kg) were fed either 1.0 kg of a control supplement (30% CP) or 1.0 kg of the control supplement plus 20 g of betaine per head per day. Betaine supplementation had no effect on overall gain or fat deposition (P>0.10) but increased ADG (P<0.10) during d 46 to 90 (0.64 vs 0.72 kg; control vs betaine, respectively). The pasture groups remained intact and were moved to the feedlot for 141 d and fed a control diet or the control diet plus 20 g of betaine per head per day. Betaine had no overall effect on finishing gain (P>0.10); however, this response was variable by period. Betaine increased final fat thickness and fat thickness change (P<0.10), but did not affect marbling or longissimus area (P>0.10). Supplemental betaine on pasture increased feed intake, final BW, and hot carcass weight (P<0.05) and increased final fat thickness and fat thickness change (P<0.10) during the finishing phase. In Exp. 2, supplemental betaine (40 g/d) was fed to steers (averaging 584 kg) in 11 replications during the last week before harvest. The overall weighted average increase in dressing percentage when betaine was fed was +0.34% (P<0.05). There was no effect (P>0.10) on fat thickness or marbling. Season of year did not affect response.     

Effects of Proportions of Steam-Flaked Corn and Grain Sorghum and Switching Grain Sources During the Finishing Period on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Finishing Beef Steers

Three studies were conducted to determine effects of proportions of steam-flaked corn (SFC) and steam-flaked grain sorghum (SFGS) in the finishing diet (Exp. 1), effects of switching grain sources on d 56 of the finishing period on performance and carcass characteristics of finishing beef steers (Exp. 2), and effects of these two dietary ingredients on in vitro DM disappearance (IVDMD) (Exp. 3). For Exp. 1, 180 medium-framed beef steers (British × Continental) were used. Treatments included (DM basis) 100% SFC:0% SFGS, 75% SFC:25% SFGS, 50% SFC:50% SFGS, 25% SFC:75% SFGS, and 0% SFC:100% SFGS. Increasing the proportion of SFGS in the finishing diet increased (P<0.01) feed:gain for the overall experiment and resulted in a linear decrease (P<0.01) in calculated NE, NE, and ME values of the diet. No differences (P>0.10) were noted among treatments for carcass characteristics. In Exp. 2, 144 medium-framed beef steers (British × Continental) were used. Treatments were SFC fed from d 0 to end (Treatment 1), SFC fed from d 0 to 56 and SFGS fed from d 57 to end (Treatment 2), SFGS fed from d 0 to 56 and SFC fed from d 57 to end (Treatment 3), and SFGS fed from d 0 to end (Treatment 4). Experiments 1 and 2 were conducted concurrently, and steers on Treatments 1 and 4 were the same steers used in Exp. 1 and fed 100:0 and 0:100, respectively. Average daily gain was decreased (P<0.10), and feed:gain was increased (P<0.05) for the average of Treatments 2 and 3 vs Treatment 1 for the overall experiment. In vitro DM disapperance of diets used in Exp. 1 was similar (P>0.10) among treatments after 4, 12, 24, and 48 h of incubation. Results suggest no benefit from mixing SFC and SFGS in finishing diets, and switching grain sources during the finishing period may adversely affect performance.     

玉米不同加工方式对肉牛育肥性能的影响

本试验旨在探讨玉米加工利用的适宜方法,以提高玉米的利用效率。选用120头利木赞杂交阉牛(590 kg±10 kg),随机分为4组,分别饲喂蒸汽压片(A)、粉碎后过七目筛(B)、十目筛(C)和十四目筛(D)的玉米型日粮,研究日粮玉米不同加工方法对阉牛育肥性能的影响。结果表明,玉米不同加工方式对肉牛的生产性能和大多数胴体指标都没有显著影响(P＞0.05)。蒸汽压片玉米组的胴体产肉率高于十目筛组,骨重低于十目筛组(P<0.05)。十四目筛组的高档肉块比例和上脑重显著高于其它3个处理组,牛柳重显著低于其它处理组,七目筛组西冷重高于十目筛组(P<0.05)。养殖效益则以十目筛组阉牛最高。     

Effects of Feed Intake Restriction on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Finishing Beef Steers,

Crossbred steers (n = 264, 311 ± 1.6 kg initial BW) were blocked by BW, randomly assigned to one of four treatments (28 pens, 7 pens per treatment), and fed a common 90% concentrate diet to determine the effects of the severity of caloric restriction on animal performance and carcass characteristics. Treatments were 1) ad libitum access to feed for 151 d (AL100); 2) 75% of DMI by AL100 for 65 d, 95% of DMI by AL100 for 65 d, and ad libitum access to feed for 21 d (AL85); 3) 80% of DMI by AL100 for 65 d, 100% of DMI by AL100 for 65 d, and ad libitum access to feed for 21 d (AL90); and 4) 85% of DMI by AL100 for 65 d, 105% of DMI by AL100 for 65 d, and ad libitum access to feed for 21 d (AL95). Feed was offered for AL85, AL90, and AL95 based on DMI by AL100 the previous week. All steers were fed a similar quantity of DM for 4 d prior to initial, interim, and final BW determinations to minimize gastrointestinal fill differences. Overall DMI was greater (P<0.01) for AL100 than for the average of the remaining treatments and decreased linearly (P<0.01) among AL95, AL90, and AL85. Overall ADG (carcass-adjusted) was less (P<0.01) for AL85, AL90, and AL95 than for AL100, whereas overall ADG:DMI (carcass-adjusted) did not differ (P>0.10) between AL100 and the average of the remaining treatments. Overall ADG and ADG:DMI (carcass-adjusted) responded quadratically (P<0.05) with increasing DMI restriction. Hot carcass weight, longissimus area, and kidney, pelvic, and heart fat percentage were greater (P<0.05) for AL100 than for the remaining treatments and responded quadratically (P<0.10) among AL85, AL90, and AL95. Marbling score was greater (P<0.10) for AL100 than for the average of the remaining treatments, and the number of carcasses grading Prime + Choice tended to be higher (P<0.15) for AL100 and AL95. Restricting feed intake of finishing yearling steers to an average of 85 to 95% of ad libitum for 130 d of a 151-d feeding period generally resulted in slower ADG, lesser marbling scores, and carcasses that were lighter and leaner compared with yearling steers allowed ad libitum to feed and harvested after an equal number of days on feed.     

Performance of Steers Supplemented with Zinc During Grazing and Receiving at the Feedlot

A study was conducted to compare the effects of three supplemental zinc sources on beef steers grazing winter annual pasture and during receiving in a feedlot. In southern Arkansas, 84 steers were weighed (BW = 216 ± 1.5 kg), bled via jugular puncture, and randomly assigned to 12 bermudagrass pastures (0.81 ha each) that had been overseeded with wheat, rye, and annual ryegrass (7 steers per pasture; 116 d of grazing) on January 15; the steers were allowed to graze until May 11. Steers were fed 0.45 kg daily of corn-based supplement containing 103 mg zinc from ZnSO₄, zinc amino acid complex (ZnAA), or zinc polysaccharide (ZnPOL) during the entire grazing period. On May 12, steers were shipped to a research feedlot (14 h; 1,016 km; 6.9% BW shrink) in northeast New Mexico. In the feedlot, the same groups of steers were fed a receiving diet (steam-flaked milo) that contained the same zinc sources as fed during the grazing period. Dietary concentrate was increased from 75 to 85% of dietary DM weekly. Data were analyzed as a completely random design; least squares means were separated using contrast. Steer BW on d 28 and 84 of the grazing period were greater (P<0.05) for cattle fed ZnAA and ZnPOL than for steers fed ZnSO₄; however, ADG over the 116 d of grazing and ending BW did not differ (P>0.28) among zinc sources. In the feedlot, steer BW, ADG, and feed efficiency did not differ (P>0.05) among zinc sources. Serum zinc concentrations did not differ (P>0.05) among zinc sources at any point in time. We conclude that early in the grazing period, ZnAA and ZnPOL improved steer BW compared with ZnSO₄; however, no differences were noted among zinc sources later in the grazing period or during receiving in the feedlot.     

Growth Performance by Stocker Steers Fed Magnesium-Mica During a Grazing and Feedlot Period

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of Mg-mica supplementation on grazing and feedlot performance of stocker steers. In Exp. 1, eight groups of six steers were fed a basal diet of 80% ground grain sorghum, 15% corn silage, and 5% control protein supplement (DM basis) or a supplement containing Mg-mica (9% of supplement; 4.5 mg/kg diet DM) for 141 d. Marbling scores tended (P<0.10) to be greater, and the percentage of carcasses grading USDA Choice or higher was greater (P<0.05), from steers fed Mg-mica than from those fed the control supplement. In Exp. 2, eight groups of nine head each were offered either a control grain sorghum-based supplement or one containing 34 g/d of Mg-mica (2.7 g Mg) while grazing smooth bromegrass pastures for 112 d. Pasture groups were then placed in feedlot pens for 120 d and fed a basal diet similar to that described above. Two groups fed each pasture supplement received a control supplement, and two received a supplement containing Mg-mica (10% of supplement; 5 mg/kg diet DM). Steers fed Mg-mica during the pasture phase tended to have heavier (P=0.11) hot carcass weights, higher (P<0.05) dressing percentages, numerically (P>0.10) higher marbling scores, and a higher percentage of carcasses grading USDA Choice than steers fed the control supplement during the pasture phase. Therefore, adding Mg-mica to pasture supplements or feedlot diets appears to have no impact on grazing or feedlot performance, but may improve carcass quality.     

Use of Individual Feeding Behavior Patterns to Classify Beef Steers into Overall Finishing Performance and Carcass Characteristic Categories

Three hundred seventy beef steers were used to evaluate the possibility of using individual animal feeding behavior patterns early in the finishing period to classify overall finishing performance, carcass quality, or both. Feeding behavior variables included measures of time spent feeding (physically consuming feed at the bunk, i.e., head-down duration [HDD]), total feeding bout length (i.e., in-to-out duration [ITOD]), number of visits to the bunk per day (i.e., feeding frequency [FREQ]), and 2 ratios thought to reflect feeding intensity: 1) INT1 = HDD ÷ FREQ and 2) INT2 = HDD ÷ ITOD. Four comparison periods were used to describe individual animal feeding behaviors during different segments of the finishing program. Data were summarized by averaging each animal’s HDD, ITOD, FREQ, INT1, and INT2 for the comparison period. Individual animal performance records for the overall finishing period were sorted into classification groups including: 1) ADG quartiles, 2) hot carcass weight (HCW) quartiles, 3) quality grades (QG) groups of Choice + Prime or Select + Standard, 4) yield grade (YG) groups of YG 1 + YG 2 or YG 3 + YG 4, and 5) liver abscess groups of no abscesses or abscessed livers at the time of slaughter. Discriminant analysis was used to determine the ability of feeding behavior data to correctly sort cattle into performance and carcass characteristic classification groups. Initial discriminant analysis indicated that classification accuracy was relatively low (1.4 to 60%), but the addition of initial BW to the feeding behavior variables only slightly improved accuracies. Animals correctly classified into performance classification groups ranged from 1.4 to 60% for ADG quartiles; 23.2 to 62.9% for HCW quartiles; 63.5 and 58.3% for Select + Standard and Choice + Prime, respectively; and 62.1 and 55.7% for YG 1 + YG 2 and YG 3 + YG 4, respectively. Our results suggest that feeding behavior was not very useful for classifying cattle into performance and carcass outcome groups, but further research with data collected under a variety of experimental conditions is needed to more fully explore relationships between feeding behavior measurements and cattle performance.     

早期断奶后备母牛繁殖效果研究

选择后备母牛１８头，每组各６头，采用不同的日粮饲喂，进行对照试验，结果试验１组后备母牛初情月龄平均为１０．３个月，第一、二情期受胎率８３．３％，繁殖成活率８３．３％。试验２组后备母牛初情期平均为１１．１个月，第一、二情期受胎率６６．７％，繁殖成活率６６．７％。对照组后备母牛初情期平均为１２．７个月，一、二情期受胎率５０．０％，繁殖成活率５０．０％。     

BVDV对后备牛生长发育状况及繁殖性能的影响

牛病毒性腹泻/黏膜病(BVD/MD)是一种严重危害奶牛健康的病毒性传染病,其病原为牛病毒性腹泻病毒(BVDV)。BVDV感染牛后主要表现两种状态,即一过性感染(TI)和持续性感染(PI)。BVD在牛场的流行,可严重影响奶牛的生产性能、繁殖性能及牛群健康状况,对奶牛的影响可表现为流产、胎儿畸形、腹泻和免疫抑制等。怀孕母牛在特定妊娠阶段感染BVDV后,可娩出PI犊牛,部分PI犊牛能像正常犊牛一样生长发育至成年,但其生长发育状况和繁殖性能较同龄健康牛差异十分明显。为评价BVDV对后备牛生长发育及繁殖状况的影响,笔者采用ELISA方法检出北京地区28个规模化奶牛场141头BVDV-PI牛,并与同龄健康牛生长发育及繁殖数据相比较,结果表明,BVDV-PI后备牛各月龄段的体高、体重均低于健康后备牛,其首次输精日龄、配准日龄、耗精量明显高于健康后备牛,而一次情期受胎率显著低于健康后备牛。数据显示,BVDV严重影响后备牛的生长发育及繁殖状况。     

饲粮稀释对肥育期肉仔鸡生长性能和胴体品质的影响

试验研究了饲粮稀释对肥育期肉仔鸡生长性能和胴体品质的影响。60只29日龄艾维因肉仔鸡被随机分成2组,每组30只鸡。对照组基础饲粮根据NRC营养水平配制,试验组饲粮在基础饲粮中添加10%的稻壳粉进行稀释。试验期从肉仔鸡29日龄开始到49日龄结束。试验结果表明:与对照组相比,饲粮稀释对肉仔鸡上市体重、饲料效率、胴体和胸肌重量没有显著影响(P>0.05),但是减少腹脂重量(P<0.05)。     

Canola Meal Compared with Urea in a Barley and Potato Processing Residue Finishing Diet for Feedlot Steers

Five combinations of canola meal and urea were compared in a titration study using yearling beef steers (n = 120, initial weight = 383 kg ± 6.25) consuming barley and potato processing residue-based diets. The steers were allotted to 20 pens in a randomized block design and fed for 86 d. Diets were formulated to contain 30% potato processing residue, 45% barley, 15% corn silage, and 10% supplement (DM basis). Nitrogen source was the only difference in the diets. Supplements were formulated to be isonitrogenous with the N source being either urea or canola meal (C) to provide a calculated dietary CP of 11.5%. Treatments were: 100% urea supplement (0C); 25% canola meal supplement, 75% urea supplement (25C); 50% canola meal supplement, 50% urea supplement (50C); 75% canola meal supplement, 25% urea supplement (75C); and 100% canola meal supplement (100C). Average daily gain and DMI were similar for all treatments (P>0.05). Gain to feed ratio was larger (P<0.05) for 75C than 0C (163.2 vs 151.5 g/kg). Marbling scores were greater (P<0.05) from steers fed 0C than from those fed 50C or 75C. Longissimus muscle area and hot carcass weights were greater for 25C than 0C (P<0.05). Longissimus muscle area for 100C was also larger than 0C (P<0.05). The yield grade of 25C steers was lower (P<0.05) than that found in the 0C, 50C, and 100C steers (P<0.05). The 25C treatment had the highest apparent NDF digestibility of all treatments (P<0.05). Additional return of $14.50 per steer fed canola was found (P>0.05). The changes in carcass composition toward a leaner carcass with natural protein (the 25C fed steers) indicate potential benefits from the use of canola meal in barley and potato processing residue-based diets instead of urea as the sole supplemental N source.     

Urinary Oestrogens in Heifers Treated with Prednisolone During the Oestrous Cycle

Heiferis treated with a glucocorticoid during the oestrous cycle, displayed increased follicular activity and small corpora lutea compared to untreated controls (Tomasgard 1976a), but showed no signs of oestrogen production during the treatment.     

杏鲍菇菌糠对荷斯坦牛生长性能和经济效益的影响

[目的]为研究杏鲍菇菌糠对9～12月龄生长期荷斯坦奶牛生长性能和经济效益的影响。[方法]选择9～12月龄生长期荷斯坦奶牛60头,随机分为2组,分别饲喂原日粮和添加杏鲍菇菌糠全混合日粮,试验期60 d,分别测定采食量、日增重、体高、体长等生长指标,并分析经济效益。[结果]结果表明,菌糠饲料适口性好,试验组采食正常,两组间采食量无显著差异(P0.05);生长性能指标间无显著差异(P0.05);试验组饲料成本较对照组减少5.87元/(头·d)。[结论]杏鲍菇菌糠替代部分粗饲料饲喂9～12月龄生长期荷斯坦牛对其生长性能无影响,且显著降低饲料成本,具有现实推广价值。     

Effects of Feeding Supplemental Fat During Gestation to First-Calf Beef Heifers

Study 1, pregnant crossbred, first-calf heifers (n = 149; BW 493.8 ± 6.3) received gestation diets: control (CON), or added safflower seeds (SAFF), raw soybeans (SOY), or sunflower seeds (SUN). Diets were formulated isocaloric-isonitrogenous, contained 2.4, 4.7, 3.8, or 5.1% fat, and were fed for the last 65.3 ± 4.6 d precalving. Supplemental fat feeding was terminated at calving. Diet effects on dam BW or condition scores and calf birth BW, calving difficulty, and dam estrous cyclicity were generally nonsignificant (P>0.10). Fat-supplemented dams had greater pregnancy rates (P<0.05) and fall calf BW (P=0.08): CON, 79%, 182.4 kg; SAFF 94%, 194.9 kg; SOY, 90%, 197.7 kg; SUN, 91%, 196.8 kg. Study 2, pregnant crossbred, first-calf heifers (n = 83; BW 439.8 ± 7.3) received gestation diets: control (CON2) or added sunflower seeds (SUN2). Diets were formulated isocaloric-isonitrogenous, contained 2.2 and 6.5% fat, and were fed for the last 68.2 ± 5.5 d before calving. Supplemental fat feeding was terminated at calving. Blood samples were collected during the feeding period. Diet effects on dam BW, condition scores, estrous cyclicity, and pregnancy percentage were nonsignificant. Calf birth BW from SUN2 dams tended (P=0.06) to be greater. Diet effects on blood components were nonsignificant except for NEFA concentrations tending to be lower in SUN2 dams at the initial (P=0.08) and mid-gestation feeding (P=0.06) sampling. Major differences were found in forage availability between Studies 1 and 2. We conclude that dietary fat or fatty acids may be an important “reproductive fuel,” and effects of supplemental gestation fat may be masked when adequate nutrients are available in forages consumed postpartum.     

Association of Implanting Abnormalities with Growth Performance of Feedlot Steers

Crossbred steers (n = 1, 183, mean initial BW = 320 ± 33 kg) were used in an observational study to determine associations between implanting abnormalities and feedlot growth performance. Initial implant status (determined by palpation) was recorded during administration of a terminal implant. Status of the terminal implant was recorded 21 d after reimplant, post-mortem in a packing plant, and post-mortem in a laboratory. At each of the four examinations, implants were classified by palpation as either: 1) normal, 2) abscessed, 3) bunched pellets, 4) separated pellets, 5) partial retention, 6) total failed retention, 7) placed in the cartilage, 8) placed in the inner 1/3 of the ear, or 9) fluid-filled. Least square means for ADG were determined for both the initial period (d 0 to 59) and the terminal period (d 60 to harvest) using initial BW, reimplant BW, pen, health status, liver status, lung status, and implant status as covariates. Average daily gain for the initial period did not differ (P>0.40) across implant status. In the overall model, there was a trend (P<0.10) for d 60 to harvest ADG to be affected by implant status. In pair-wise least square means comparisons of implant defects, only missing implants, compared with normal implants or abscessed implants, showed less gain (P<0.05) in both laboratory and packing plant palpation models.     

不同能量水平日粮对淘汰荷斯坦育成母牛生长性能和屠宰性能的影响

本试验旨在研究不同能量水平日粮对淘汰荷斯坦育成母牛生长性能和屠宰性能的影响。选取24头健康状况良好、平均体重为466 kg左右、体型相近的淘汰荷斯坦育成母牛,随机分为3组,每组8头,分别为Ⅰ组（低能量组）、Ⅱ组（中能量组）和Ⅲ组（高能量组）,饲喂不同能量水平的日粮。试验分为前期和后期2个阶段,前期3组日粮的粗蛋白质含量均为12.50%,综合净能分别为6.80、7.00、7.20 MJ/kg;后期3组日粮的粗蛋白质含量均为12.00%,综合净能分别为6.90、7.10、7.30 MJ/kg。整个试验期共100 d,正试期为90 d。结果显示：①Ⅱ组淘汰荷斯坦育成母牛的平均日增重最高,分别较Ⅰ、Ⅲ组提高了4.76%（P > 0.05）、43.48%（P < 0.05）;Ⅱ组平均干物质采食量最高,料重比最低,且与Ⅲ组差异极显著（P < 0.01）。②提高日粮能量水平可显著提高血清中葡萄糖、胆固醇的含量（P < 0.05）,极显著降低β-羟丁酸的含量（P < 0.01）。③Ⅲ组荷斯坦育成母牛屠宰率、净肉率、大理石花纹和背膘厚度最高,屠宰率较Ⅰ、Ⅱ组差异显著（P < 0.05）;大理石花纹和背膘厚度与Ⅰ组差异显著（P < 0.05）,与Ⅱ组无显著差异（P > 0.05）。综上所述,提高日粮能量水平可显著提高淘汰荷斯坦育成母牛的平均日增重和屠宰率,降低料重比,促进脂肪沉积,改善肉品质。综合考虑得出：在本试验条件下,淘汰荷斯坦育成母牛育肥以中等能量水平饲喂较适宜,前期：综合净能7.00 MJ/kg,粗蛋白质12.50%;后期：综合净能7.10 MJ/kg,粗蛋白质12.00%。     

不同添加剂玉米秸青贮的瘤胃降解率及饲养肥育架子牛的效果

本试验测定了乳酸菌、碳酸氢铵 +尿素及普通青贮玉米秸的营养成分、干物质及有机物的瘤胃降解率 ,并通过肥育试验评价饲喂效果。乳酸菌青贮的pH值降低 ;碳酸氢铵 +尿素青贮的粗蛋白含量提高。两种添加剂青贮的干物质及有机物瘤胃降解率均较普通青贮提高。肥育试验表明 ,以乳酸菌青贮和碳酸氢铵 +尿素青贮为基础日粮 ,肥育架子牛的日增重分别比普通青贮提高 16 2 .5g和 132 .5g。     

Effects of High Dietary Calcium Propionate and Dietary Cation-Anion Balance on Calcium Metabolism and Longissimus Muscle Tenderness in Finishing Steers,

Forty-eight Angus and Angus-cross steers (initial BW = 657 ± 5.7 kg) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design to determine whether feeding an anionic diet or high dietary concentrations of a soluble calcium (Ca propionate) source or both would alter Ca metabolism and subsequently longissimus tenderness. Treatments consisted of 1) control, 2) 4% Ca propionate (CaProp), 3) 2% NH ₄Cl (anionic diet), and 4) CaProp plus 2% NH₄Cl. Experimental diets were fed for 7 d prior to slaughter. Steers were individually fed using electronic Calan gate feeders. Blood samples were obtained on d 3 and 7 at 2 h post feeding for plasma Ca determination. A striploin steak was obtained from each carcass at 48 h post harvest for muscle Ca analysis and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) determination. Addition of CaProp or NH₄Cl to the high concentrate finishing diet reduced (P < 0.01) ADG and DMI during the 7-d feeding period. The anionic diet reduced ADG to a greater extent than did CaProp. Average daily gain and DMI were lowest for steers fed both NH₄Cl and CaProp, indicating that their effects were additive. Carcass characteristics were not affected by CaProp, but the anionic diet tended to reduce hot carcass weights (P=0.13) and longissimus areas (P=0.09). Plasma Ca concentrations were slightly greater in steers fed CaProp on d 3 (P < 0.10) and 7 (P < 0.01) of the study. The anionic diet did not affect plasma Ca. Muscle Ca concentrations and WBSF values were not affected by either CaProp or the anionic diet. Results indicate that beef tenderness was not enhanced in steers fed a diet high in CaProp or those fed an anionic diet.     

体重对商品猪肥育性能及胴体肉品质的影响研究

选择体重35kg左右的杂交猪34头,采用饲养试验和屠宰试验,研究了育肥结束体重和屠宰体重对试验猪的肥育性能及胴体肉品质的影响.结果显示:育肥结束体重在85～110 kg阶段对试验猪的生长肥育性能没有显著的影响;屠宰体重除对屠宰率形成显著差异外,对试验猪的其它胴体性能及肉品质影响不明显;采用综合选择指数对试验猪肥育性能及胴体肉品质进行综合评定,结果显示,体重在95～100kg阶段结束育肥并屠宰的试验猪生长性能及胴体肉品质的综合选择指数最大.因此,在该试验日粮水平下社莱商品猪的适宜育肥结束及屠宰体重为95～100kga.