Performance, carcass characteristics and ingestive behavior of steers fed with silages of different maize hybrids

E.H Horst,A.M Souza,B.J Venancio,V.H Bumbieris Junior,J Mareze,M Neumann

doi:10.1590/1678-4162-11057

Abstract

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance, carcass characteristics and ingestive behavior of feedlot steers fed with three maize hybrids: Maximus VIP3, Defender VIP and Feroz VIP. The experiment lasted 112 days, weighing animals four times, every 28 days. The experimental diets were formulated and constituted by maize silage and pelletized ration in a 50:50 ratio (dry basis). Regardless of the hybrid used, there was an increase in the intake of dry matter with the advance in feedlot evaluation period (9.15, 9.14, 9.35 and 9.59kg day-1, in the first, second, third and fourth weighing, respectively). The type of maize hybrid silage influenced weight gain of animals differently, with a final mean of 1.413kg for animals fed with Maximus VIP3, 1,375kg for those fed with Defender VIP and 1,184kg for those fed with Feroz VIP. The animals fed with Feroz VIP hybrid silage showed higher carcass gain efficiency and were more active in the number of times they went to the feeder. Although the three evaluated hybrids resulted in good animal performance, the carcass characteristics did not change; nevertheless, the hybrid Maximus VIP3 is recommended for its superior bromatological composition.

Highlights

Genetic improvement has led to the development of more productive maize hybrids, which are better in terms of pest and disease tolerance and are more adapted to different climate and soil conditions
Despite the fact that the Defender VIP hybrid showed higher Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content (Table 1) and knowledge that dry matter intake is limited to the intake of NDF (Rosa et al, 2004), for the evaluation periods and for the general average of the hybrids, we did not observe significant difference for dry matter intake expressed as percentage of body weight (Table 2)
Other than in the first period of the feedlot evaluation, the different maize silages altered the animals' weight gain, with a final mean of 1.413kg for animals fed with Maximus VIP3, 1.375kg for those fed with Defender VIP, and 1.184 for those fed with Feroz VIP

Summary

Introduction

Genetic improvement has led to the development of more productive maize hybrids, which are better in terms of pest and disease tolerance and are more adapted to different climate and soil conditions. With the great number of variable hybrids possessing distinct phenotypic and nutritional characteristics, it is essential to identify which ones offer the best animal response (Neumann et al, 2017). For this reason, genetic improvement companies have been increasingly dedicating themselves to searching for more complete materials for silage production. Neumann et al (2017) indicated a significant difference in silage bromatology and in dry matter intake during different periods and in the final weight gain of feedlot steers

Objectives

Methods

Results