Energy For Cattle Research Articles

522 Late-Breaking: Effects of Corn Processing and Age on Energy Balance, Nutrient Digestion and Rumination in Cattle

Abstract Current library values for energy content in whole or dry-rolled corn (DRC) are identical and do not differ for cattle of different age (NASEM, 2016). Calves (295 ± 29 kg) and yearlings (521 ± 29 kg) were fed whole, DRC or steam-flaked corn (SFC) to evaluate library values of energy content in different types of processed corn among cattle of different age. Cattle were fed diets comprised of 75% corn (DM-basis) to 2.5-times maintenance energy requirements using estimates of NEm in corn and SFC (NASEM, 2016). Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. There was no observed interaction of corn processing and cattle age (P ≥ 0.40). Time spent ruminating (min/d) was not different between dietary treatment or age. Total tract starch digestibility was greatest (P = 0.01) for cattle fed SFC (97.5%), intermediate in cattle fed DRC (92.4%) and least in cattle fed whole corn (89.5%). Nitrogen balance was not affected (P ≥ 0.30) by corn processing or age. Digestible and metabolizable energy (Mcal/kg-DMI) were greater (P ≤ 0.05) for cattle fed SFC compared to DRC or whole. A greater proportion of DE was lost to heat production (P = 0.01) in cattle fed whole corn compared to DRC and tended to be greater (P = 0.08) in cattle fed SFC than DRC. Retained energy (Mcal/d) should have been similar if current library values correctly reflect energy content in each type of processed corn. However, retained energy was greater (P < 0.01) for cattle fed DRC compared to whole corn and tended to be greater (P = 0.06) compared to SFC indicating that library values for DRC underestimate energy available to growing cattle. Measures of retained energy for cattle fed DRC indicated that energy available for gain from DRC was 42% greater than library values (NASEM, 2016).

Use of indirect calorimetry to evaluate utilization of energy in lactating Jersey dairy cattle consuming diets with increasing inclusion of hydrolyzed feather meal

A study using indirect calorimetry and 12 lactating multiparous Jersey cows (53 ± 23 d in milk at the beginning of the experiment; mean ± standard deviation) was conducted to evaluate the utilization of energy in cattle consuming diets containing increasing hydrolyzed feather meal (HFM). A triplicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 35-d periods (28-d adaption and 4-d collections) was used to compare 4 different dietary treatments. Treatments contained (DM basis) HFM at 0% (0HFM), 3.3% (3.3HFM), 6.7% (6.7MFM), and 10.0% (10HFM). Diets were formulated such that HFM replaced blood meal and nonenzymatically browned soybean meal. With increasing HFM, linear increases were observed for dietary NEL content (1.61, 1.64, 1.69, and 1.70 ± 0.042 Mcal/kg of DM for 0HFM, 3.3HFM, 6.7MFM, and 10HFM, respectively), and the efficiency of converting ME to NEL (0.708, 0.711, 0.717, and 0.719). Apparent total-tract digestibility of CP linearly decreased with increasing HFM (63.4, 61.1, 59.9, and 58.6 ± 1.46% for 0HFM, 3.3HFM, 6.7MFM, and 10HFM, respectively), whereas long-chain fatty acid digestibility increased with increasing HFM (77.2, 77.7, 78.5, and 80.6 ± 1.30%). With increased inclusion of HFM, fecal N excretion increased (199, 230, 239, 237 ± 12.1 g/d for 0HFM, 3.3HFM, 6.7MFM, and 10HFM, respectively), whereas urinary N excretion decreased (166, 151, 155, and 119 ± 14.8 g/d). Increasing the concentration of HFM resulted in a quadratic effect on DMI (19.6, 20.2, 20.3, and 19.1 ± 0.79 kg/d for 0HFM, 3.3HFM, 6.7MFM, and 10HFM, respectively) and milk yield (31.7, 32.0, 31.9, and 29.7 ± 1.32 kg/d). Increasing HFM linearly decreased the milk protein concentration (3.34, 3.29, 3.23, and 3.23 ± 0.158 for 0HFM, 3.3HFM, 6.7MFM, and 10HFM, respectively) and yield (1.05, 1.05, 1.02, and 0.96 ± 0.040 kg). The inclusion of HFM did not affect energy-correct milk yield (average of 39.3 ± 1.54). Results of this study suggest that HFM can increase dietary NEL content compared with blood meal and nonenzymatically browned soybean meal and maintained energy-corrected milk yield; however, feeding HFM at greater than 6.7% of diet DM decreased DMI, and protein availability may have been reduced with increased HFM, leading to a linear decrease in milk protein concentration and yield.

The study of morphophysiological and economically valuable traits and properties of variety samples of grain sorghum

The results of studying 32 variety samples and lines of grain sorghum are presented, as well as experimental data on the genotypes of vegetative and generative traits, and the biochemical composition of grain. When considering the elements of the structure of the grain sorghum crop, we proceeded from the understanding that the yield is directly dependent on the number of grains per 1 m2 and their mass of 1000 grains. Since the plant standing density was the same for all the studied samples, genotypes with a large mass of grains of 1 plant were noted (k-3568, k-3867, k-3900, k-3904, k-8926), which depends on the number of productive stems per plant and weight of 1000 grains. The following cultivars are characterized by the largest mass of 1000 grains: k-3568, k-3900, k-3904, k-3911, k-3962, k-3967, k-3970, k-8926. The average weight of grains from 1 panicle varied in the range from 14.1 to 22.7 g, and the biological grain yield was 3.69 ... 6.19 t / ha (with a grain moisture content of 13%). The output of gross energy for cattle is from 3.99 to 6.69 energetic feed unit. Energy assessment and feed value are determined by the biochemical composition of the grain. In the experiment, variety specimens with high protein content were revealed: k-3902, k-3946, k-3959, k-3970. More than 4.0% of fat was detected in the grain of the variety samples: k-3867, k-3911, k-3957, k-3967, k-3970, k-3973.

Omega-6 Fat Supplementation Alters Lipogenic Gene Expression in Bovine Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue

In contrast to rodents, adipose tissue serves as the major site of lipogenesis and storage reservoir for excess dietary energy in cattle. Research in rodents shows that adding corn oil (57% C18:2 n-6) to the diet alters lipogenesis enhancing deposition of omega-6 fatty acids. This study examines changes in lipogenic gene expression of subcutaneous adipose tissue from eighteen steers fed increasing levels of dietary corn oil [0 (NONE), 0.31 kg/d (MED) and 0.62 kg/d (HI)] using two platforms, qPCR and microarray. The results show that MED level of oil supplementation up-regulates gene expression of key lipogenic enzymes but that as oil supplementation reaches HI level mRNA encoding lipogenic enzymes responsible for de novo synthesis and desaturation are down-regulated. Changes in specific lipogenic mRNA levels are correlated with changes in tissue fatty acid composition where de novo and desatured fatty acids were reduced with the highest level of oil supplementation.

Effect of Concentrate Level on Sustainability of Beef Cattle Production

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to conduct a cultural energy analyses of beef cattle receiving different levels of concentrate. Data were obtained via questionnaire from 100 beef cattle farms selected by a stratified, random sampling method. Beef cattle farms were divided into three groups according to concentrate level and were analyzed. Accordingly concentrate levels were assigned as low (< 55% 35 farms), intermediate (55% to 65%, 34 farms) and high (> 65%, 31 farms). Cultural energy used for feed for treatments was derived from their corresponding lot feed consumption and their corresponding values from the literature. Transportation energy was also included in the analysis. Since the objective of the study was to evaluate cultural energy analysis of the feeding systems, energy that the calves had deposited in their muscle and fat tissue when they were bought was deducted from carcass energy. Total cultural energy expended was highest for cattle receiving a low level of concentrate (p < 0.05). Feed energy constituted more than half of the total cultural energy and was highest for cattle receiving a low level of concentrate (p < 0.05). Energy expended per kg live weight did not differ among groups by concentrate level (p > 0.05). Cultural energy per Mcal protein energy was highest for cattle receiving a low level of concentrate and was lowest for cattle receiving an intermediate level of concentrate (p < 0.05). Cultural energy for cattle receiving a high level of concentrate was intermediate and thus did not differ significantly from the other groups (p > 0.05). Efficiency, defined as Mcal input/Mcal output, was better for cattle receiving an intermediate level of concentrate and was worse for cattle receiving a low level of concentrate (p < 0.05). Efficiency for cattle receiving a high level of concentrate was intermediate and thus did not differ significently from the other groups (p > 0.05). Results showed that efficiency does not linearly increase as concentrate level increases; thus, in order to be more sustainable, a strategy of decreasing concentrate level without interfering with cattle performance should be considered.

Dried distiller’s grains improve the performance of beef cattle intensively grazing early summer bluestem pasture (2007)

Distiller's grains are byproducts of the production of ethanol from grains and are an excellent source of protein and energy for cattle. The most prevalent use of distiller's grains is in the finishing beef production sector. There is limited research available that has evaluated effectiveness of distiller's grains as a supplement for grazing beef cattle. Digestible protein content in grass begins to decrease in midsummer, resulting in lower average daily gains. The objective of this study was to measure the daily gain of yearling steers supplemented with different levels of dried distiller's grains while grazing doublestock Flint Hills pastures.

Energy for cattle

Thus far we have demonstrated a source of energy rich nutrients that can be utilized by the bovine. We now need to demonstrate a valid measuring system that enables the determination of energy concentrations in feeds and energy requirements of animals.

A mathematical model for the joint metabolism of nitrogen and energy in cattle

A mathematical model for the joint metabolism of nitrogen and energy has been developed and its utility studied. It takes into account digestion, absorption, anabolism, catabolism, and excretion of nitrogenous and non-nitrogenous nutrients. The model consists of a set of non-linear differential equations which, upon integration, yield predictions for changes in body proper and energy stores and for outputs of milk, heat, methane, and nitrogenous and non-nitrogenous wastes. Key aspects are the modes whereby nitrogenous and non-nitrogenous nutrients combine for body growth and milk production and nitrogenous nutrients split into non-nitrogenous nutrients and nitrogenous wastes. Values for some of the model parameters were obtained from the literature, but many of the important ones had to be estimated from experimental data. Estimation was accomplished by iterative weighted least squares fitting of the model to published results from energy and nitrogen metabolism trials on growing steers and on milking and non-milking cows fed widely-varying protein and energy intakes. The model was tested with metabolism data from trials not used in estimating parameters. Over 70% of the comparisons for daily output of faecal nitrogen and energy, urine nitrogen and energy, milk nitrogen and energy, and methane showed deviations between prediction and observation of 20% or less. These deviations were little greater than the discrepancy between observations for replicate trials, thus establishing a basic soundness of the model. Although fitted and tested with cattle, the model applies in principle to animals generally and man, for predicting outputs from widely-varying nitrogen and energy inputs as conditioned by species, type and physiological state. The model, with some extension, should permit more profitable ration formulation than do extant approaches over a very broad domain of feeding and price situations.

Cottonseed meal and molasses as sources of protein and energy for cattle offered low quality hay from pastures of the North Coast of New South Wales

Cottonseed meal and molasses, regarded as sources of protein and energy for cattle, were included with a basal ration of low quality pasture hay and fed to beef cattle in an experiment that contained two periods of 50 d each. The hay was made from a pasture consisting predominantly of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana). The pasture site was on the North Coast of New South Wales with a subtropical climate and an area where cattle lose liveweight during the winter or cool-dry season. The experiment aimed at determining whether the intake of hay, and liveweight of cattle, could be increased by supplements of either cottonseed meal or molasses or both. The experimental design was based on a response-surface with 12 treatment combinations. Twenty-four Hereford steers, aged about 26 months and having a mean liveweight of 315 � 28 kg were used. They were offered the low quality hay (435 g digestible organic matter (DOM)/kg dry matter (DM); 7.3 g nitrogen (N)/kg DM) in amounts expected to be 15% greater than that eaten. Fixed amounts of the energy supplement (undiluted molasses) were offered in separate containers at 0,0.5, 1.3 and 2.1 kg/d. Cotttonseed meal (930 g organic matter (0M)lkg DM) was added to the hay to raise the N content of the ration from the 7.3 g N/kg DM of the basal ration (A) to 14.1 (B), 19.4 (C) and 25.7 (D) g N/kg DM. Steers on ration C ate 19.3% more hay (P c 0.05) than steers on ration A; steers on rations B and D ate 11.0 and 14.5%, respectively, more hay than steers on ration A ( P &lt; 0.10). Molasses had no significant effect on hay intake, but as did cottonseed meal, it increased steer liveweight. Final liveweight (LW: kg) was a function of the initial liveweight (IW: kg) and of the amount of supplements eaten (kg/d) for both cottonseed meal (CSM) and molasses (Mol). LW = 16.7(+ 11.0) + 5.9(+ 2.0)Mol + 38.3(� 5.6)CSM - 9.2(� 2.0)CSM2 + 0.88(� 0.03)IW; Residual standard deviation � 8.7. N balance, and excretion of N in faeces and urine, were increased (P &lt; 0.05) by cottonseed meal but not by molasses supplements. Liveweight change (LWC: g/d) was a function of N balance (NB: g/d). LWC = - 1 08.3(� 48.0) + 19.7(� 2.1 4)NB; Residual standard deviation � 243. Liveweight change was also a function of the digestible organic matter intake (D0MI:gld) from the total ration. LWC = - 996(� 104) + 0.364(� 0.032)DOMI; Residual standard deviation � 182. The results highlight the limitation to cattle growth imposed by the low N intake from the pasture hay, and a consequent low intake of DOM. They suggest that cottonseed meal is a suitable source of protein for cattle on the North Coast although in districts growing sugar cane economics may favour the use of molasses as an energy source provided that some protein is added to it

Effect of Methods of Processing on Digestibility and Utilization of Grain Sorghum by Cattle and Sheep

Cattle and sheep were used to determine digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), nonprotein organic matter (NPOM), starch and reducing sugars (SRS), and energy, metabolizable energy, and nitrogen retention on diets containing steam-processed-rolled, reconstituted-rolled, coarsely-orfinely-ground grain sorghum. Six animals of each species were fed each diet, of which the grain sorghum constituted 78.3%, in two replicates, each involving three animals of each species. In one replicate animals were fed an energy level 150% of the calculated maintenance requirement while the others were fed 175%. The digestibilities of DM, OM, NPOM and energy in cattle were greater in diets containing the reconstituted product than for the finely- or coarsely-ground ones. Digestibility of NPOM in cattle was greater in the diet containing the steam-processed product than for the ground ones. No differences indigestibility were noted among the various processing treatments for sheep except the steam-processed product depressed (P<.01) nitrogen digestibility; however, nitrogen retentions did not differ. Sheep and cattle did not differ in the digestibility of reconstituted and steam-processed diets; however, sheep apparently digested ground grain sorghum better than cattle