Effect of virginiamycin supplementation on the performance of young grazing cattle |
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Authors: | L. O. FIEMS,Ch. V. BOUCQUÉ ,B. G. COTTYN,R. J. MOERMANS&dagger ,D. L. DE,BRABANDER |
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Affiliation: | National Institute for Animal Nutrition, Government Agricultural Research Centre-Ghent, Melle-Gontrode, Belgium;Biometric Bureau, Government Agricultural Research Centre-Ghent, Merelbeke, Belgium |
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Abstract: | Three experiments have been conducted to study the effect of virginiamycin in young grazing-bulls (Experiment 1) and heifers (Experiments 2 and 3). Rotational grazing on permanent grassland was practised and animals were supplemented with 1 kg dried sugarbeet pulp per head daily. Control groups did not receive virginiamycin via the supplement, while it was incorporated at 120, 300 and 200 mg kg−1 for the treatment groups in Experiments 1 to 3 respectively. Average daily liveweight gain was significantly increased from 0·59 to 0·72 kg in Experiment 1 and from 0·73 to 0·81 kg in Experiment 3, but was not affected in Experiment 2 (0·51 vs 0·55 kg). Virginiamycin also increased liveweight gain per ha by 12, 7 and 13%, respectively, for the three experiments. Grazed area per animal was not enlarged to the same extent as the calculated daily energy allowances, which may suggest an improved digestibility and/or rumen fermentation. |
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