Abstract
Simple SummaryCattle wintered at northern latitudes are often exposed to periods of severe cold. Cattle likely alter feed intake and behavior to combat environmental challenges. This study evaluated the influence of diet and environmental changes on intake behavior and activity (lying time) of feedlot steers. Short-term temperature changes impacted both beef feedlot cattle intake behavior and activity. The steers’ diet, whether they were fed corn or barley, interacted with short term environmental changes to influence animal feeding behavior, but diet had limited impact on cattle lying behavior. Lying behavior was influenced by short-term temperature changes in which cattle spent more time lying down on relatively cold days. Overall, environmental shifts and cold temperature conditions could result in greater energetic needs and ultimately impact feedlot steer intake behavior and activity. By providing information related to beef cattle feedlot behavior, we can more effectively manage cattle feeding systems at northern latitudes to improve feed efficiency.This study evaluated the influence of diet and environmental conditions on intake behavior and activity of feedlot steers. Feedlot rations used were comprised of a main concentrate: (1) corn or (2) barley. A GrowSafe system measured individual animal intake and behavior and HOBO accelerometers measured steer standing time. An Onset weather station collected on site weather data. Steer daily intake displayed a diet by temperature class interaction (p ≤ 0.05). Relative temperature change had no effect on variation in intake (p = 0.60); however, diet influenced variation of intake (p < 0.01), where corn-fed steers had a greater coefficient of variation (CV) than barley-fed steers (21.89 ± 1.46 vs. 18.72 ± 1.46%). Time spent eating (min d−1) and eating rate (g min−1) both displayed a diet by temperature class interaction (p ≤ 0.05). Diet did not affect steer lying activity (p ≥ 0.12), however, time spent lying (min d−1) and frequency of lying bouts (bouts d−1) increased on relatively cold days while the duration of lying bouts (min bout−1; p < 0.01) decreased. Short-term environmental temperature changes interacted with diet influencing feedlot beef cattle intake behavior; however, they did not interact with basal diet in respect to steer activity.
Highlights
Environmental conditions and their impact on beef cattle production have long been recognized [1,2,3], and seasonal variations of climatic conditions have been documented to impact feedlot cattle performance [4,5]
There was a linear effect (p = 0.03) of relative temperature change on intake g kg body weight (BW)−1 d−1 for corn-fed steers, where intake increased with increases in relative temperature
Changes in environmental conditions have been related to changes in the individual animal’s overall behavior, and environmental shifts are frequently cited as the cause of corresponding alteration in feed consumption, occurrence of ruminal acidosis, and metabolic disorders [36]
Summary
Environmental conditions and their impact on beef cattle production have long been recognized [1,2,3], and seasonal variations of climatic conditions have been documented to impact feedlot cattle performance [4,5]. Cattle wintered at northern latitudes are often exposed to periods of severe cold, which increase energy expenditure to maintain homeothermy [6,7]. During periods of cold stress, animal behavior is altered [8], and feed consumption will often increase with a decrease in average daily gain (ADG), resulting in an overall decline in feed efficiency [9]. Research conducted over seven years at the University of Saskatchewan feedlot reported that from December to February (mean monthly temperature −17 ◦ C), ADG decreased 30% compared to the remainder of the year [5]. Regression equations relating mean air temperatures and climatic stress to relative performance indicate that 40 to 60% of the seasonal variation in feedlot performance can be accounted for by climatic variables [9]. Cattle likely alter their behavior to combat these environmental challenges
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