Abstract
Simple SummaryFeed additives are attracting considerable interest due to the need to effectively improve the level of production, efficiency, and health of animals. A combination of betaine, biotin, and chromium has been developed to enhance nutrient utilization efficiency. Ideally, the addition of a combination of supplements to livestock feed could improve ruminal fermentation, digestibility and nutrient utilization, nitrogen and energy balance, and metabolism.The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation with a feed additive containing a combination of betaine, biotin, and chromium (BBC) and concentrate-to-roughage ratio (C:R ratio) on nutrient digestibility, blood metabolites, ruminal fermentation, nitrogen balance, and energy utilization in Thai native beef cattle. Five Thai feedlot native beef bulls at one year old of age and 87.6 ± 15.7 kg of body weight were assigned in a (2 × 2) + 1 augmented factorial experiment according to a 5 × 5 Latin square design with five periods of 21 days. The two levels of BBC were 3 g/kg DM and 6 g/kg DM, and the two ratios of C:R were 60C:40R and 70C:30R. A C:R ratio of 70C:30R without BBC supplementation was used as a negative control. The cattle were offered feed at 3% BW, which provides sufficient energy and protein to support a weight gain of 500 g/day. The results showed that dry matter intake (DMI) and organic matter intake (OMI) were not different (p > 0.05), but the intake of crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) was higher (p < 0.05), whereas neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were lower (p < 0.05) in the 70C:30R ratio diets compared to the 60:40R ratio diets. Energy balance and nitrogen balance were not influenced (p > 0.05) by the C:R ratio or the addition of BBC. Rumen pH and ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) did not differ (p > 0.05) among treatments groups. Total volatile fatty acid (VFA) production was higher (p < 0.05) in bulls fed with the 70C:30R ratio diet. The addition of BBC resulted in a lower (p < 0.01) glucose-to-insulin ratio compared to cattle fed with the control diet. Energy and protein utilization efficiency did not differ (p > 0.05) among the experimental treatment groups, which were higher (p > 0.05) than the control group. In conclusion, BBC supplementation showed greater growth performance of cattle compared to the control. BBC supplementation appeared to improve glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity and energy and protein utilization efficiency. Whether BBC supplementation increases glucose production in the liver remains to be determined in future studies.
Highlights
Modern beef cattle feeding requires the optimal concentrate-to-roughage ratio (C:R ratio), which affects weight gain and the efficiency of weight gain
The digestibility of crude protein (CP) in beef cattle fed with the 60C:40R ratio diet with BBC inclusion at 3 g/kg Dry matter (DM) was the lowest (p < 0.05) among all of the treatments
The digestibility of acid detergent fiber (ADF) in beef cattle fed with the 60C:40R ratio diet with BBC inclusion at 6 g/kg DM was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in beef cattle fed with the control diet
Summary
Modern beef cattle feeding requires the optimal concentrate-to-roughage ratio (C:R ratio), which affects weight gain and the efficiency of weight gain. A proper C:R ratio can maximize weight gain and the fattening rate with low digestive disorders [1]. Though it can range from 50:50 to 90:10, a C:R ratio of 75:25 offers reasonable weight gain with minimal risk in most feedlots. Feed additives are widely used and can effectively improve the level of production, efficiency, and health of the animals. The main effect of feed additives is increasing feed efficiency and/or the average daily weight gain
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