Abstract
ABSTRACTTwo trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of tannin supplementation of steers during the feedlot finishing phase. In Trial 1, 96 Holstein steers (478 ± 6.5 kg) were used to evaluate the effects of level of supplemental condensed tannin (0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6% of dry matter basis) on growth performance. Supplemental tannin increased (6.5%, P = 0.05) weight gain, gain efficiency (5.5%, P = 0.04), and tended to increase dietary net energy (3.2%, P = 0.06). In Trial 2, 96 Holstein steers (392 ± 4 kg) were used to evaluate the effect of tannin sources on growth performance. Treatments consisted of a steam-flaked corn diet supplemented with (1) no supplemental tannin, (2) 0.6% condensed tannin, (3) 0.6% hydrolysable tannin, and (4) a blend of 0.3% condensed and 0.3% hydrolysable tannin. Tannin supplementation tended to increase average daily gain (ADG, 6.8%, P = 0.08) and dry matter intake (DMI, 4%, P = 0.04). It is concluded that tannin supplementation promotes greater DMI, and hence, ADG of steers during the finishing feedlot phase. The basis for this effect on feed intake is not certain, but is apparently independent of potential tannin effects on metabolizable protein supply. Source of supplemental tannin (condensed vs. hydrolysable) have minimal effects on overall growth performance response to supplementation.
Highlights
Tannins are a complex group of polyphenolic compounds found in a wide range of plant species commonly consumed by ruminants (Mueller-Harvey & McAllan 1992; Van Soest 1994)
Tannin supplementation tended to increase average daily gain (ADG, 6.8%, P = 0.08) and dry matter intake (DMI, 4%, P = 0.04)
It is concluded that tannin supplementation promotes greater Dry matter intake (DMI), and ADG of steers during the finishing feedlot phase
Summary
Tannins are a complex group of polyphenolic compounds found in a wide range of plant species commonly consumed by ruminants (Mueller-Harvey & McAllan 1992; Van Soest 1994). High concentrations of tannins may be toxic, reducing voluntary feed intake and nutrient digestibility, at low to moderate concentrations, tannin supplementation may shift site of protein degradation increasing metabolizable amino acid flow to the small intestine (Barry & McNabb 1999; Min et al 2003). This tannin effect may help explain improvements observed in performance of feedlot calves during the initial growing phase (Barajas et al 2010) where limitations in metabolizable protein supply are more manifest (Zinn et al 2000, 2007). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of source and level of supplemental tannin on growth performance and dietary energetics of feedlot steers during the late finishing phase, when metabolizable amino acid supply of the basal diet exceeds animal requirements
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