Abstract
Thirty-six Holstein-Friesian steers (two pens of six animals each per treatment) were group fed a barley-based all-concentrate diet (C), Diet C diluted with 20% ground hay (D), or Diet C diluted with 40% ground hay (E) from an initial live weight of 200kg to a final live weight of 385kg. Average daily gain was significantly (P<.05) depressed by Diet E (0.99 vs. 1.13 and 1.12±0.02kg for E vs. C and D, respectively). Feed efficiency was significantly (P<.05) different among all diets (6.36, 7.30, and 8.82±0.08kg feed per kilogram gain for C, D, E, respectively). The digestibility of energy, determined with sheep, was significantly (P<.05) different among the three diets (77.2, 70.9, and 64.2±1.3% for C, D, E, respectively). Based on these digestion coefficients, steers on Diet E consumed significantly (P<.05) more digestible energy per kilogram of weight gain than those on C or D (17.58, 18.70, and 21.31±0.31 Meal for Diets C, D, E, respectively). Ration E produced a significantly (P<.05) higher yield of prime rib and lower yield of chuck (per cent of chilled carcass) than C or D (9.8, 27.1; 9.7, 26.7; 10.4±0.11, 25.0±0.34 for Diets C, D, E, respectively).
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
