Effect of diet composition and slaughter weight on animal performance, carcass and meat quality, and fatty acid composition in veal calves

The effect of true milk use in the diet of Spanish Brown Swiss male calves on animal performance, carcass and meat quality, and fatty acids composition was studied. In experiment 1, the effect of milk intake [ad libitum continuous (ADLIB) feed vs. restricted 0.7 during 75 days followed by ad libitum feed (RESTR)] and slaughter endpoint (225 kg vs. 5 month) were studied. In experiment 2, ad libitum concentrate feeding [grain-fed (GF)] was compared with milk supplementation until slaughter [milk-fed (MF)] in calves slaughtered at 345 kg. As regards to milk intake, carcass weight and degree of fatness were higher in the ADLIB group (P<0.05). The RESTR group revealed a higher percentage of saturated fatty acids (P<0.05). In experiment 2, the MF group exhibited a higher fat percentage (P<0.05), lower press and cooking losses (P<0.05), and higher scores for tenderness and juiciness (P<0.05) than the GF group. The percentage of saturated fatty acids was higher in the MF group (P<0.05). The results suggest that true milk use in veal production could be an advantageous alternative in terms on production costs, animal performance, and carcass and meat quality.     

INFLUENCE OF NITROGEN FERTILIZATION ON NICKEL ACCUMULATION AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF COFFEE PLANTS DURING FRUIT DEVELOPMENT

Nutritional and physiological significance of micronutrients in coffee plants, especially with regard to nickel (Ni) is still unknown. The dynamics of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and Ni accumulation in coffee fruits, as well as their relationships with total soluble protein, amino acids, reducing sugars, and starch content during coffee fruit development (green, ripe, and dry fruits), were investigated. Coffee trees received three N fertilizer rates (0, 150, and 300 kg of N ha^?1) as ammonium sulfate split into three applications per year. Nitrogen fertilization increased reducing sugars and starch concentrations in ripe fruits. In contrast, green fruits showed the highest amino acid and Ni concentrations. Fruit Ni concentration decreased in both green and ripe fruits as N rates increased; thus, indicating the possibility of either a N-associated dilution effect on Ni concentration or that Ni uptake by roots and/or transport to developing fruit was limiting. Plant nutritional status and fruit development stage influenced the coffee grain chemical composition. Furthermore, the variation in reducing sugars and starch content was more closely linked to the stage of fruit development than to N supply. A supposed relationship among the decreased of caffeine, starch, amino acids, and proteins with Ni content during green fruit development suggests a fundamental role for Ni in coffee fruit ripening. The interaction between N and Ni metabolism during fruit ripening might influence the chemical parameters involved in the coffee grain quality. This is the first report documenting changes in Ni concentrations of coffee fruit as a function of N fertilization rates and the development stage, but further research is needed to better understand the significance of N-Ni interaction in developing coffee fruit.     

The phenotypic relationship between residual intake and gain and other feed efficiency traits in Nellore cattle

This study aimed to compare feed efficiency measures of Nellore beef cattle on different residual intake and gain (RIG) classes. We used data from 610 animals weighing on average 236.33 kg and average of 283 days of age from feedlot performance tests carried out between 2005 and 2012. Animals were grouped based on RIG into three different classes: high RIG (>?mean?+?0.5 standard deviation (SD), most efficient; n?=?193), medium RIG (mean?±?0.5 SD; n?=?235), and low RIG (<?mean – 0.5 SD, least efficient; n?=?182). Residual feed intake (RFI), residual gain (RG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), feed efficiency (FE), relative growth rate (RGR), and Kleiber ratio (KR) of animals in each RIG class were compared by Tukey test at 1% of probability. Phenotypic correlations between variables were evaluated as well. Animals on high RIG class showed lower dry matter intake (P?<?0.01) and higher average daily gain (P?<?0.01) than low RIG animals. Consequently, high RIG animals had lower FCR (P?<?0.01) and higher FE (P?<?0.01) than those animals in low RIG class. The most efficient animals based on RIG were also the most efficient animals based on RG and RFI. RIG was negatively correlated to dry matter intake (P?<?0.01) and FCR (P?<?0.01), and a positive correlation was found between RIG and FE (P?<?0.01). Therefore, RIG appears to be a good parameter to select animals with reduced dry matter intake and high productive performance.

     

SHORT COMMUNICATION: Calculating an artificial sea water formulation using spreadsheet matrices

A previously published formulation for a general-purpose artificial sea water suitable for maintaining marine fishes is recalculated using matrix functions in a common computer spreadsheet application, Microsoft Excel^®. Calculations result in element concentrations nearer to those in sea water of 35 grams per kilogram (%0) salinity and allow rapid customization.     

Long-Term Production and Profitability From Grazing Cattle in the Northern Mixed Grass Prairie

Conventional wisdom among rangeland professionals has been that for long-term sustainability of grazing livestock operations, rangeland should be kept in high good to low excellent range condition. Our objective was to analyze production parameters, costs, returns, and profit using data generated over a 34-yr period (1969–2002) from grazing a Clayey range site in the mixed-grass prairie of western South Dakota with variable stocking rates to maintain pastures in low–fair, good, and excellent range condition classes. Cattle weights were measured at turnout and at the end of the grazing season. Gross income · ha^?1 was the product of gain · ha^?1 and price. Prices were based on historical National Agricultural Statistics Services feeder cattle prices. Annual variable costs were estimated using a yearling cattle budget developed by South Dakota State University agricultural economists. All economic values were adjusted to a constant dollar using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index. Stocking rate, average daily gain, total gain, net profit, gross revenue, and annual costs · ha^?1 varied among range condition classes. Net income for low–fair range condition ($27.61 · ha^?1) and good range condition ($29.43 · ha^?1) were not different, but both were greater than excellent range condition ($23.01 · ha^?1). Over the life of the study, real profit (adjusted for inflation) steadily increased for the low–fair and good treatments, whereas it remained level for the excellent treatment. Neither drought nor wet springs impacted profit differently for the three treatments. These results support generally observed rancher behavior regarding range condition: to maintain their rangeland in lower range condition than would be recommended by rangeland professionals. Ecosystem goods and services of increasing interest to society and associated with high range condition, such as floristic diversity, hydrologic function, and some species of wildlife, come at an opportunity cost to the rancher.