全株玉米青贮饲养肉牛最佳日粮组合模式研究

对肉牛常用饲料进行营养价值评定,并选择36头6～24月龄西杂肉牛分4组分别采食不同组合日粮,试验期63～68 d.结果表明,不同饲料之间蛋白含量、有效降解率和有效能含量存在较大的差异.肉牛代谢体重干物质采食量与日粮粗蛋白含量之间存在极显著正相关关系,日增重随代谢体重采食量的增加呈直线增加,经济效益随肉牛日增重的增加而增加.以青贮 秸秆 0.5 kg肉牛浓缩料、青贮 秸秆 2 kg肉牛精料补充料、青贮 牧草 0.5 kg肉牛浓缩料、青贮 牧草 2 kg肉牛精料补充料日粮组合分别饲养西杂肉牛,日增重(ADG)分别为0.66 kg、0.90 kg、0.92 kg、1.08 kg;体况评分(BCS)分别增加0.33分、0.42分、0.56分、0.69分;日盈利分别为3.44元、4.22元、4.70元、4.41元.说明,以全株玉米青贮 优质牧草粗饲料组合饲养肉牛,再补饲含高蛋白和能促进肉牛生长及提高纤维饲料消化率的瘤胃微生物所必须矿物质的肉牛浓缩料或肉牛精料补充料,可使肉牛达到较好的增重,并获得较高的收益.     

Prediction of nitrogen excretion in feces and urine of beef cattle offered diets containing grass silage

Data from 286 beef cattle, obtained in total diet digestibility assessments, were used to examine effects of dietary and animal factors on N excretion in feces and urine and to develop prediction equations for N excretion in beef cattle. The animals used were mainly from beef breeds, at various ages (from growth to finishing) and live BW (153 to 580 kg), and offered diets containing grass silage at production feeding levels. Dietary forage proportion ranged from 199 to 1,000 g/kg of DM and dietary CP concentration from 108 to 217 g/kg of DM. Linear and multiple regression techniques were used to examine relationships between the efficiency of N utilization and dietary and animal variables with the experimental effects removed. The statistical analysis indicated that N excretion was related positively (P < 0.001) to live BW and intakes of DM, N, and ME, and negatively (P < 0.001) to dietary forage proportion. The prediction equation for N excretion, developed using N intake alone, produced a large r2 (0.898) and a small SE (12.3). Addition of live BW and forage proportion as supporting predictors to this relationship only marginally increased R2 to 0.915 and reduced SE to 11.2. Nitrogen excretion was less well related to live BW (r2 = 0.771, SE = 18.5) than to N intake. Addition of N intake as a proportion of DMI or ME intake to the relationship between live BW and N excretion increased R2 to 0.824 and reduced SE to 16.2. The internal validation of these equations revealed that using N intake as the primary predictor produced a very accurate prediction of N excretion. In situations where data on N intake are not available, prediction equations based on live BW and dietary N concentration together can produce a relatively accurate assessment of N excretion. A number of mitigation strategies to reduce N excretion in feces and urine in beef cattle are discussed, including manipulation of dietary N concentration, diet quality, and level of feeding. The prediction equations and mitigation strategies developed in the current study provide an approach for beef producers to quantify N excretion against production and to develop their own mitigation strategies to reduce N excretion.     

直接法和回归法测定玉米青贮对肉牛有效能值的研究

旨在应用直接法和回归法测定肉牛玉米青贮的消化能、代谢能和净能值,并探讨精料回归法用于估测肉牛单一粗饲料原料能值的可行性。试验选取12头体况良好、体重相近[(259±14.08)kg]的生长期公牛,随机分为3组,每组4头牛。分两期试验进行,试验一按试验牛自由采食量的95%、80%和60%3个水平饲喂全玉米青贮日粮;试验二在固定玉米青贮投喂量的基础上,各组分别按青贮饲喂量的15%、25%和50%(干物质基础)添加精料补充料。试验每期14d,其中前10d为预饲期,后4d为正试期。正试期消化代谢和呼吸代谢试验同期进行,测定玉米青贮对肉牛能量代谢规律。结果表明:1)肉牛对全玉米青贮日粮的各种营养物质消化率和能量消化率及代谢率随饲喂水平的提高总体逐渐降低;肉牛能量采食量(总能、消化能、代谢能和净能)随饲喂水平的提高逐渐升高,组间差异显著(P0.05)。2)玉米青贮对肉牛的消化能、代谢能和净能值随着饲喂水平的提高呈下降趋势,各有效能值变化范围分别为10.58~11.48 MJ/kg,8.33~9.44 MJ/kg和5.20~6.21 MJ/kg。3)添加精料补充料显著提高了肉牛对日粮的干物质采食量和粗蛋白消化率(P0.05),而洗涤纤维消化率精料添加比例组间差异不明显(P0.05);随着精料添加比例的增加,肉牛对日粮的能量采食量(总能、消化能、代谢能和净能)和能量消化率及代谢率逐渐上升,消化能代谢率各组之间无显著差异(P0.05)。4)根据试验日粮有效能值与精料添加量之间的关系建立线性回归方程后,外推估测得玉米青贮的消化能、代谢能和净能值分别为10.53 MJ/kg、8.29 MJ/kg和5.35MJ/kg,与95%饲喂水平组直接测定结果(10.58 MJ/kg、8.33 MJ/kg和5.20 MJ/kg)差异不显著(P0.05)。综上所述,回归法测定玉米青贮对肉牛的有效能值与直接法测定结果差异不明显,精料回归法可以用于估测肉牛单一粗饲料的有效能值。     

Peanut by-products fed to cattle.

Peanut by-products supply substantial quantities of feedstuffs to beef cattle grown in the same region where peanuts are produced. Included in the list of products fed to cattle are peanuts and peanut meal, peanut skins, peanut hulls, peanut hay, and silages. Residual peanut hay is by far the most widely used peanut by-product fed to beef cattle, and if it is properly harvested with minimal leaf shatter, it is comparable to good-quality grass hays in nutrient content. Peanut skins are often included in small quantities in cattle and pet foods, supplying both protein and energy. High tannin content of peanut skins can cause severe performance depressions in beef cattle if peanut skins are included at levels higher than 10% of the diet, unless diets contain relatively high CP (above 15% CP), or additional N sources are added such as ammonia or urea. Because dairy cattle diets are often above 16% CP in the total dietary DM, peanut skins may increase milk production when added at levels up to 16% of the dry matter. Peanut hulls are effectively used as a roughage source at levels up to 20% of beef finishing diets, for bedding in dairy cattle loafing sheds (if tested and found to contain low aflatoxin levels), and in a variety of manufactured products. Peanut hulls are economically priced because of their quantity, their inherent high fiber, and low CP content, and they should not be fed as a primary feedstuffs for beef cattle. Peanut by-products are generally priced below other by-products, and they can be incorporated into a variety of supplements and diets for cow herds, growing-finishing cattle, and dairy cattle.     

Predicting metabolizable energy from digestible energy for growing and finishing beef cattle and relationships to the prediction of methane

Reliable predictions of metabolizable energy (ME) from digestible energy (DE) are necessary to prescribe nutrient requirements of beef cattle accurately. A previously developed database that included 87 treatment means from 23 respiration calorimetry studies has been updated to evaluate the efficiency of converting DE to ME by adding 47 treatment means from 11 additional studies. Diets were fed to growing-finishing cattle under individual feeding conditions. A citation-adjusted linear regression equation was developed where dietary ME concentration (Mcal/kg of dry matter [DM]) was the dependent variable and dietary DE concentration (Mcal/kg) was the independent variable: ME = 1.0001 × DE – 0.3926; r² = 0.99, root mean square prediction error [RMSPE] = 0.04, and P < 0.01 for the intercept and slope. The slope did not differ from unity (95% CI = 0.936 to 1.065); therefore, the intercept (95% CI = −0.567 to −0.218) defines the value of ME predicted from DE. For practical use, we recommend ME = DE – 0.39. Based on the relationship between DE and ME, we calculated the citation-adjusted loss of methane, which yielded a value of 0.2433 Mcal/kg of dry matter intake (DMI; SE = 0.0134). This value was also adjusted for the effects of DMI above maintenance, yielding a citation-adjusted relationship: CH₄, Mcal/kg = 0.3344 – 0.05639 × multiple of maintenance; r² = 0.536, RMSPE = 0.0245, and P < 0.01 for the intercept and slope. Both the 0.2433 value and the result of the intake-adjusted equation can be multiplied by DMI to yield an estimate of methane production. These two approaches were evaluated using a second, independent database comprising 129 data points from 29 published studies. Four equations in the literature that used DMI or intake energy to predict methane production also were evaluated with the second database. The mean bias was substantially greater for the two new equations, but slope bias was substantially less than noted for the other DMI-based equations. Our results suggest that ME for growing and finishing cattle can be predicted from DE across a wide range of diets, cattle types, and intake levels by simply subtracting a constant from DE. Mean bias associated with our two new methane emission equations suggests that further research is needed to determine whether coefficients to predict methane from DMI could be developed for specific diet types, levels of DMI relative to body weight, or other variables that affect the emission of methane.     

Development of a model to predict dietary metabolizable energy from digestible energy in beef cattle

Understanding the utilization of feed energy is essential for precision feeding in beef cattle production. We aimed to assess whether predicting the metabolizable energy (ME) to digestible energy (DE) ratio (MDR), rather than a prediction of ME with DE, is feasible and to develop a model equation to predict MDR in beef cattle. We constructed a literature database based on published data. A meta-analysis was conducted with 306 means from 69 studies containing both dietary DE and ME concentrations measured by calorimetry to test whether exclusion of the y-intercept is adequate in the linear relationship between DE and ME. A random coefficient model with study as the random variable was used to develop equations to predict MDR in growing and finishing beef cattle. Routinely measured or calculated variables in the field (body weight, age, daily gain, intake, and dietary nutrient components) were chosen as explanatory variables. The developed equations were evaluated with other published equations. The no-intercept linear equation was found to represent the relationship between DE and ME more appropriately than the equation with a y-intercept. The y-intercept (−0.025 ± 0.0525) was not different from 0 (P = 0.638), and Akaike and Bayesian information criteria of the no-intercept model were smaller than those with the y-intercept. Within our growing and finishing cattle data, the animal’s physiological stage was not a significant variable affecting MDR after accounting for the study effect (P = 0.213). The mean (±SE) of MDR was 0.849 (±0.0063). The best equation for predicting MDR (n = 106 from 28 studies) was 0.9410 ( ± 0.02160) +0.0042 ( ± 0.00186) × DMI (kg) – 0.0017 ( ± 0.00024) × NDF(% DM) – 0.0022 ( ± 0.00084) × CP(% DM). We also presented a model with a positive coefficient for the ether extract (n = 80 from 22 studies). When using these equations, the observed ME was predicted with high precision (R² = 0.92). The model accuracy was also high, as shown by the high concordance correlation coefficient (>0.95) and small root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP), <5% of the observed mean. Moreover, a significant portion of the RMSEP was due to random bias (> 93%), without mean or slope bias (P > 0.05). We concluded that dietary ME in beef cattle could be accurately estimated from dietary DE and its conversion factor, MDR, predicted by the dry matter intake and concentration of several dietary nutrients, using the 2 equations developed in this study.     

肉牛不同生长阶段日粮营养物质表观消化率的比较

[目的] 比较不同生长阶段肉牛日粮营养物质表观消化率和日增重,为肉牛养殖日粮配合提供参考。[方法] 按月龄和体重随机选择两组西门塔尔杂交牛,12~15月龄、体重250~300 kg为小体重组,15~18月龄、体重350~500 kg为大体重组,每组10头。日粮根据肉牛体重变化调整,正式试验期分为试验前期和试验后期。以不溶盐酸灰分（AIA）作为内源指示剂,利用点收粪法测定日粮营养物质表观消化率。[结果] 小体重组肉牛在整个试验期的总增重和平均日增重与大体重组肉牛差异显著（P<0.05）;试验前期,小体重组肉牛日粮有机物（OM）、粗蛋白质（CP）、中性洗涤纤维（NDF）、酸性洗涤纤维（ADF）、淀粉和能量的表观可消化量与大体重组肉牛差异显著（P<0.05）,而OM、CP、NDF、ADF、淀粉和能量的表观消化率与大体重组肉牛无显著（P>0.05）差异。[结论] 在试验日粮组成条件下,选取的2个饲养阶段肉牛日粮的营养物质表观消化率没有明显差异,可消化营养物质进食量的增加可提高日增重。     

Relationship between nutrition and reproduction in beef cattle

The primary nutrient consideration for optimum reproductive performance in beef cattle is energy. Low energy intake delays the onset of puberty in heifers and bulls. Heifers should reach approximately 66 per cent of mature body weight by 14 to 15 months of age and be bred 30 days prior to breeding the main cow herd. Body conditioning scores (BCS) (1 = emaciated, 9 = obese) should be used to evaluate pregnant cows entering their third trimester. Cows should calve with body conditioning score 5 to 7. Forage quality and environmental factors influence maximum dry matter intake and nutrient requirements and must be considered in the clinical setting. Crude protein dietary content should be 11 to 12 per cent for lactating beef cattle. Mineral (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sulfur, sodium, chloride) nutrition is not a major cause of decreased reproductive performance in beef cattle. Trace mineral deficiencies (particularly selenium, copper, and zinc) can cause decreased reproductive performance. Diagnosis of these trace mineral deficiencies can be confirmed by elemental analysis of blood or tissues.     

异地育肥肉牛的饲养管理技术

肉牛“异地育肥”已成为我国肉牛生产的一种主要模式。购入架子牛后,首先应注意减少运输应激的影响,做好过渡期的饲养管理,按体重大小、体质强弱、采食饲料快慢进行分群合栏。对于体重小于200kg的小架子牛来讲,饲养的重点是促进骨骼、内脏、肌肉的生长,使其消化器官得到锻炼,要求日粮提供优质蛋白质饲料,并供给适量的钙、磷、矿物质、维生素;体重为200~250kg的牛源,要求日粮的蛋白质含量高,可以提供充裕的粗饲料以促进其瘤胃发育;250~300kg体重阶段的架子牛,日粮以粗料为主,以精料为辅;体重达350kg的大架子牛其日粮的营养需要是前期蛋白质含量应高一些、后期能量水平要高些。牛的出栏体重越大,饲料利用率就越低,因此应根据肉牛育肥目的,适当育肥,适时出栏。     

替代法估测肉牛对稻草和麦秸的有效能值

为分析替代法估测肉牛对稻草和麦秸的有效能值及适宜的替代比例,本研究选取12头体重相近(266±13.41)kg的11~12月龄皖东牛公牛,随机分为3组,每组4头牛,分3期进行饲喂试验。第1期:所有供试牛饲喂由带穗玉米青贮组成的基础饲粮,测定基础饲粮的有效能值;第2期和第3期:各组供试牛分别饲喂由稻草或麦秸按不同比例(10%、30%和60%)替代基础饲粮组成的试验饲粮。每期试验14 d,其中前10 d为预饲期,后4 d为正试期。正试期消化代谢和呼吸代谢试验同时进行,测定肉牛对各试验饲粮的能量代谢情况。结果表明,1)与基础饲粮相比,稻草或麦秸替代降低了肉牛对试验饲粮干物质(DM)、粗蛋白(CP)、中性洗涤纤维(NDF)和酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)的表观消化率,且以上指标随替代比例的增加呈逐渐下降趋势。2)基础饲粮组和各替代组之间总能(GE)采食量无明显差异(P0.05),而消化能(DE)、代谢能(ME)和净能(NE)采食量随稻草或麦秸替代比例的增加而显著降低(P0.05),总能消化率、总能代谢率和消化能代谢率与稻草或麦秸替代比例呈负相关关系。3)根据不同试验饲粮的有效能值与稻草或麦秸替代比例之间的回归方程,估算得出稻草的DE、ME和NE分别为8.51、5.79和3.64 MJ·kg-1,麦秸的对应值分别为7.89、5.08和3.13 MJ·kg-1;10%、30%和60%3个替代比例中,30%替代比例所计算得稻草或麦秸有效能值的变异度最小(P0.05)。综上可知,替代比例会影响稻草和麦秸有效能值的测定结果,本研究中稻草或麦秸替代比例为30%时优于10%和60%。在估测单一粗饲料原料有效能值时,回归法和替代法结合能提高测定结果的准确度,也有助于筛选替代法最佳的替代比例。     

Influence of monensin on the performance of cattle

Performance data on nearly 16,000 head of cattle that were used in trials to document effects of monensin on feedlot cattle were summarized. Cattle fed monensin-containing diets gained 1.6% faster, consumed 6.4% less feed and required 7.5% less feed/100 kg gain than cattle fed control diets. Monensin resulted in the greatest improvement in feed/gain at 2.9 Mcal metabolizable energy (ME)/kg diet dry matter (DM). Within the range of monensin concentrations used in the trials that were summarized (31.8 +/- 7.5 mg/kg DM), high monensin concentrations did not improve feed/gain over that obtained with lower concentrations. Carcass characteristics were not significantly influenced by monensin. Responses of cattle to monensin and implants were additive. Energy metabolism data suggested that monensin improved digestibility of DM, reduced fasting heat production and increased dietary net energy maintenance (NEm) values more than it increased net energy gain (NEg) values. Data showing the response of cattle to monensin when fed various dietary protein concentrations or sources of supplemental N suggested that monensin had a protein sparing effect. Monensin has also been shown to reduce lactic acid production, aid in the control of coccidia and bloat and to be toxic to face and horn fly larva in feces of monensin-fed cattle. In pasture trials, monensin improved daily gains. When fed to beef cows, monensin reduced amounts of feed required to maintain cow weight.     

Effects of corn processing method and dietary inclusion of wet distillers grains with solubles on energy metabolism, carbon-nitrogen balance, and methane emissions of cattle

The growing ethanol industry in the Southern Great Plains has increased the use of wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) in beef cattle (Bos taurus) finishing diets. Few studies have used steam-flaked corn (Zea mays L.; SFC)-based diets to evaluate the effects of WDGS in finishing cattle diets, and a reliable estimate of the net energy value of WDGS has yet to be determined. Effects of corn processing method and WDGS on energy metabolism, C and N balance, and enteric methane (CH(4)) production were evaluated in a short-term study using 8 Jersey steers and respiration calorimetry chambers. A 2 by 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was used in a Latin square design. The 4 treatment combinations consisted of: i) SFC-based diet with 0% WDGS (SFC-0); ii) SFC-based diet with 30% WDGS (SFC-30); iii) dry-rolled corn (DRC)-based diet with 0% WDGS (DRC-0); and iv) DRC-based diet with 30% WDGS (DRC-30). Diets were balanced for degradable intake protein (DIP) and ether extract (EE) by the addition of cottonseed (Gossypium hirsutum L.) meal and yellow grease. As a proportion of GE, grain processing method did not affect (P ≥ 0.12) fecal, digestible, urinary, and ME, or heat production. Steers consuming SFC-based diets produced less (P < 0.04) CH(4) than steers consuming DRC-based diets. Retained energy tended to be greater (P = 0.09) for cattle consuming SFC- than DRC-based diets. Inclusion of WDGS did not affect (P ≥ 0.17) fecal, digestible, urinary, metabolizable, and retained energy, or heat production as a proportion of GE. Furthermore, neither inclusion of WDGS or grain processing method affected (P ≥ 0.17) daily CO(2) production. Due in part to greater N intake, cattle consuming diets containing 30% WDGS excreted more (P = 0.01) total N and excreted a greater (P < 0.01) quantity of N in the urine. From these results, we conclude that cattle consuming SFC-based diets produce less CH(4) and retain more energy than cattle fed DRC-based diets; however, dietary inclusion of WDGS at 30% seems to have little effect on CH(4) production and energy metabolism when diets are balanced for DIP and EE. Cattle excrete a greater amount of C when fed DRC compared with SFC-based diets, and dietary inclusion of 30% WDGS increases urinary N excretion. Finally, we determined the NE(g) values for WDGS were 1.66 and 1.65 Mcal/kg in a SFC or DRC-based diet, respectively, when WDGS replaced 30% of our control (SFC-0 and DRC-0) diets.     

不同铜添加水平对肉牛铜代谢及肥育性能的影响

选用 2 4头西门塔尔杂种阉牛 ,随机分为 3组 ,进行了日粮中不同铜添加水平 ( 0、5、1 0mg/kgDM)对强度肥育条件下肉牛铜代谢及肥育性能影响的研究。结果表明 ,肉牛低铜日粮中 (约含铜 4mg/kgDM)长期添加铜 5mg/kgDM ,可提高血浆铜浓度和血红蛋白水平 ,增加干物质采食量 ,促进生长和提高日增重 ,提高饲料转化率和降低饲料消耗 ,获得较薄的背脂和较大的眼肌面积 ,且不影响屠宰率与大理石花纹等级。添加铜对干物质采食量、日增重及饲料转化率的影响又以使用精料型日粮的肥育后期较为明显     

添加苜蓿草块对不同品种肉牛育肥效果的影响

在相同环境条件下,试验在三种苜蓿草块添加量下对不同品种肉用牛进行五期的育肥效果研究.通过测定不同品种的体重、日增重及粗饲料采食量,来比较不同品种肉牛增重效果试验结果表明:在精粗比下降的情况下,添加苜蓿草块能起到提高日增重的效应与不添加相比,荷斯坦牛组表现差异极显著(P<0.01),新褐杂牛组前后差异显著(PO.05).苜蓿草块的添加在本试验营养水平与体重下,新褐杂组、荷斯坦组、安杂组各组适宜的添加量分别为1.2kg、1.2kg、O.5kg.结合农区养牛的现状及生产力水平在低精粗比的情况下,肉牛应该首先考虑使用本地优良品种.     

3种不同瘤胃缓冲剂对肉牛消化利用的影响

[目的]评价3种瘤胃缓冲剂对肉牛的采食量和消化利用率的影响。[方法]试验对24头425 kg左右西门塔尔肉牛服用缓冲剂后的采食量、粪筛数据以及养分表观消化率进行分析。[结果]日粮中添加0.8%巴菲特处理的采食量较日粮中添加2%小苏打和1%瘤胃缓冲剂分别增加了2.6%和1.94%,日粮中添加0.8%巴菲特处理粪便筛上层、中层、下层占比试验后较试验前分别降低了44.7%,59.14%以及增高了55.92%。日粮中添加0.8%巴菲特处理肉牛的DM、GE、CP、NDF和ADF的表观消化率都有不同程度提高(P<0.05)。[结论]日粮中添加0.4%巴菲特瘤胃修复剂可提高肉牛的采食量,对其饲料表观消化率有明显的促进作用。     

Effect of sweet potato vines on performance parameters and some carcass characteristics of rabbits

Conventional feedstuffs in Brazil are expensive, which has led to the search for less conventional cheaper and locally available feedstuffs. Thus, this study was carried out to determine the dietary effect of dry sweet potato vines (SPV) on the performance and some carcass characteristics of rabbits. A total of twenty‐seven weaned White New Zealand rabbits (14 male and 13 female) 35 days old with an average initial weight of 755 g were allocated into three treatments. Nine rabbits were assigned to each treatment in a completely randomized design. Three diets were formulated to similar protein and energy levels: 0SPV – diet without inclusion of dry sweet potato vines; 10SPV – diet with 10% alfalfa hay replaced by dry sweet potato vines; and 15SPV – diet with 15% of alfalfa hay replaced by dry sweet potato vines. The experiment lasted for 49 days during which data for feed intake and body weight were recorded. The daily feed intake ranged from 73.17 to 78.02 g; daily weight gain from 22.32 to 23.17 g; feed conversion ratio (FCR) from 3.16 to 3.49 and final live weight ranged from 1839.44 to 1880.55 g. None of the evaluated performance parameters as well as carcass weight, heart weight and percentages of fat and protein in meat were significantly affected by any of the tested dietary treatments. However, the liver weight was statistically lower in animals fed the diets containing 10% of SPV, mainly due to lower glucose content. Glycogen within the tissue, did not differ significantly among treatments. It was therefore concluded that up to 15% of SPV can successfully be included in the diet of rabbits as a cheaper replacement for alfalfa hay without adversely affecting performance.     

Nutrition programs for lightweight calves.

As long as beef farms have orphaned calves and late-calving cows and as long as many small beef herds continue year-round calving,large numbers of lightweight calves are likely to be presented to the marketplace. In addition, dairies produce male calves that must be grown for beef production as well as heifers that need to be developed for milking replacements. All require specialized growing programs. With proper planning, nutritional programs for these calves can be designed for drylot- and pasture-based systems. Special considerations include the reduced feed intake that can occur at the time of weaning, which occurs at young ages in these calves, as well as shipping stress and unfamiliarity with manufactured feed. Diets must provide more protein and energy than needed for older and heavier cattle. Feed form, palatability, and avoidance of digestive upset are critical.     

Evaluation of a feed intake model for the grazing beef steer

Responses of a feed intake model for grazing beef cattle to changes in model parameters, forage composition, and supplementation programs with energy and protein were evaluated. Without supplements, the model systematically underpredicted intake of low-quality (low digestibility) forages and subsequent overprediction was observed for high-quality diets. In general, for a reference diet of Italian ryegrass, the model was relatively insensitive to microbial growth parameters, highly sensitive to the microbial carbohydrate composition constant, and moderately sensitive to the microbial N composition constant. Intake prediction was sensitive to changes in the microbial use rate constant for fiber but insensitive to those for protein and starch. Model predictions were highly sensitive to the amount of nondegradable fiber in each of the forages tested. Supplementation effects on forage intake were quantified by supplementing all forage diets with chemical components equivalent to that provided by 1 kg of corn grain or 1 kg of cottonseed meal. Supplementation of the forage diet with the concentrate source resulted in substitution ratios of forage to supplement intake consistent with in vivo results. As forage quality increased, substitution of concentrate for the forage increased. However, the model failed to predict the increased forage intake typically observed with protein supplementation, suggesting that it is insufficient for intake prediction in protein-limiting situations. Nevertheless, the model correctly predicted effects of energy supplementation and forage composition on forage intake, suggesting that different controls must regulate intake responses to supplemental protein.     

The scope for manipulating the polyunsaturated fatty acid content of beef: a review

Since 1950, links between intake of saturated fatty acids and heart disease have led to recommendations to limit consumption of saturated fatty acid-rich foods, including beef. Over this time, changes in food consumption patterns in several countries including Canada and the USA have not led to improvements in health. Instead, the incidence of obesity, type II diabetes and associated diseases have reached epidemic proportions owing in part to replacement of dietary fat with refined carbohydrates. Despite the content of saturated fatty acids in beef, it is also rich in heart healthy cis-monounsaturated fatty acids, and can be an important source of long-chain omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids in populations where little or no oily fish is consumed. Beef also contains polyunsaturated fatty acid biohydrogenation products, including vaccenic and rumenic acids, which have been shown to have anticarcinogenic and hypolipidemic properties in cell culture and animal models. Beef can be enriched with these beneficial fatty acids through manipulation of beef cattle diets, which is now more important than ever because of increasing public understanding of the relationships between diet and health. The present review examines recommendations for beef in human diets, the need to recognize the complex nature of beef fat, how cattle diets and management can alter the fatty acid composition of beef, and to what extent content claims are currently possible for beef fatty acids.     

The scope for manipulating the polyunsaturated fatty acid content of beef:a review

Since 1950, links between intake of saturated fatty acids and heart disease have led to recommendations to limit consumption of saturated fatty acid-rich foods, including beef. Over this time, changes in food consumption patterns in several countries including Canada and the USA have not led to improvements in health. Instead, the incidence of obesity, type II diabetes and associated diseases have reached epidemic proportions owing in part to replacement of dietary fat with refined carbohydrates. Despite the content of saturated fatty acids in beef, it is also rich in heart healthy cis-monounsaturated fatty acids, and can be an important source of long-chain omega-3(n-3) fatty acids in populations where little or no oily fish is consumed. Beef also contains polyunsaturated fatty acid biohydrogenation products,including vaccenic and rumenic acids, which have been shown to have anticarcinogenic and hypolipidemic properties in cell culture and animal models. Beef can be enriched with these beneficial fatty acids through manipulation of beef cattle diets, which is now more important than ever because of increasing public understanding of the relationships between diet and health. The present review examines recommendations for beef in human diets, the need to recognize the complex nature of beef fat, how cattle diets and management can alter the fatty acid composition of beef, and to what extent content claims are currently possible for beef fatty acids.