Young Bulls Research Articles

Reverse Phase Protein array for the quantification and validation of protein biomarkers of beef qualities: The case of meat color from Charolais breed

Reverse Phase Protein Arrays (RPPA) were applied for the quantification and validation of protein biomarkers of beef qualities on M. longissimus thoracis sampled early post-mortem from young Charolais bulls. pHu was related to six proteins, three of which are glycolytic enzymes (ENO1, ENO3 and TPI1), while others belong to structural (TTN and α-actin) and proteolytic (μ-calpain) pathways. For color traits, several correlations were found, interestingly with structural proteins. The relationships were in some cases trait-dependent. To understand the mechanisms and explore animal variability, color data were categorized into three classes. α-actin and TTN allowed efficient separation of the classes and were strongly related with all color traits. Biomarkers belonging to heat stress and metabolism pathways were also involved. Two identified proteins, namely Four and a half LIM domains 1 (FHL1) and Tripartite motif-containing 72 (TRIM72), were for the first time related to beef color. Overall, these relationships could be used to develop muscle-specific processing strategies to improve beef color stability.

Carcass characteristics and meat quality of Holstein-Friesian × Hereford cattle of different sex categories and slaughter ages

Abstract. When dairy cattle production predominates, the quantity and quality of beef can be increased through commercial crossing of beef bulls with dairy cows and creating herds for the purpose of beef production. This experiment was conducted to compare carcass traits in young bulls and steers, produced by crossing Holstein-Friesian (HF) cows with Hereford (HH) bulls and slaughtered at 15 and 18 months of age. One half of 32 young bulls were castrated at 2 or 3 weeks of age. Starting at 7 months of age, they received grass silage supplemented with concentrates. At the end of the fattening period, the animals were slaughtered, carcass quality and the quality of meat from m. longissimus thoracis were evaluated. It was found that unlike steers, bulls can be slaughtered at a later age because their carcass traits improved over time and carcass fat content increased only insignificantly. Meat from steers had higher intramuscular fat content (1.20 and 2.35 % in bulls and steers slaughtered at 15 months of age, respectively; 1.89 and 3.79 % in bulls and steers slaughtered at 18 months of age, respectively), it was tenderer and juicier than meat from bulls, and its sensory quality improved with age. The intramuscular fat (IMF) of steers was characterized by a more desirable n-6 ∕ n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio, whereas the IMF of bulls had higher concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid and n-3 PUFAs. Beef from steers is a good choice for consumers who appreciate high-quality meat. The results of this study may encourage producers to raise steers for beef.

Clustering of sensory eating qualities of beef: Consistencies and differences within carcass, muscle, animal characteristics and rearing factors

pHu and palatability traits (tenderness, juiciness and beef flavor intensity) of 480 young bulls were investigated. For each trait, quality categories were built using unsupervised learning methods to relate them with the farm-to-table continuum data. The categorization into high, medium and low-quality clusters showed differences at the whole levels of the continuum including animal and rearing factors, carcass, muscle and meat parameters. Isocitrate dehydrogenase activity, weight at the beginning of the fattening period and fattening duration were robust discriminators within the clusters. When focused on palatability traits, the different estimates of fat (%fat carcass, fat carcass weight of the 6th rib, fatness score and intramuscular fat) and %muscle carcass allow the categorization of the traits into clusters. Furthermore, the tender, juicy and flavorful meat had the lowest total collagen content as the corresponding animals fed with the lowest %forage and dry matter intake. The findings evidenced the potential of the information from the different levels of the farm-to-table continuum to achieve the desirable beef quality.

Effects of slaughter age and storage period on quality parameters of loin veal from Korean Holstein bulls

The objective of the present study was to assess quality parameters of stored muscle longissimus dorsi from veal of young Holstein bulls of different ages (5, 6, 7 and 8 months). Samples were stored after vacuum packing for 1, 7, 10, 20 or 30 days at 0 ± 1°C, and then subjected to physicochemical analyses. This information is of importance in identifying the age of Holstein bull calves that is optimal for meat consumers in Korea. Fat and protein percentages, water-holding capacity, and Warner–Bratzler shear-force values were higher in the meat from the 8-month-old bulls, and cooking loss was also lower in this group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in concentrations of volatile basic nitrogen (protein-degradation values) among the samples during storage. The concentrations of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (indicators of lipid oxidation) were higher in the 8-month-old group than in the other groups during storage (P < 0.05). With regard to meat colour, lightness increased with storage in the 6-, 7-, and 8-month-old groups, while redness and yellowness were lower in the 8-month-old group (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the best meat quality in the tested groups, in terms of fat content, water-holding capacity, shearing force and cooking loss, was present in the 8-month-old group. Therefore, 8-month-old Holstein bulls combined with aging are recommended for obtaining good quality of veal suitable for the Korean market.

Effect of fish oil supplementation and forage source on performance, rumen fermentation, nutrient digestion and chewing behaviour of Holstein bulls

Background: Fat supplementation in ruminants ration often adversely affect dry matter intake (DMI), rumen fermentation and nutrients digestion. Basal diet ingredients is an undeniable determinant of ruminants responses including performance, chewing behaviour and nutrient digestibility to fat supplementation. Objective: Current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Fish oil (FO) supplementation under different proportion of alfalfa hay (AH) and corn silage (CS) in ration on performance, rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibility and chewing behaviour of Holstein young bulls. Methods: Thirty six Holstein young bulls were used in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement, with 2 levels of AH proportion (10 and 20 % of AH versus 20 and 10 % of dietary CS) combined with 3 levels of FO supplement (0, 1 and 2.1% of dietary dry matter). Calves were fed TMR consisting of 30 % of forage and 70 % of barley grain-based concentrate mix (dry matter basis). The experiment lasted for 90 days. Results: Dry matter intake was not affected by interaction of AH proportion and FO supplementation. Higher dietary CS proportion caused more DMI regardless of FO supplementation (8.71 versus 8.00 kg/d respectively for treatments with high and low CS proportion; P 1.18 were increased in response to FO supplementation regardless of AH proportion (P 1.18 intake and eating times per kg of DM and peNDF > 1.18 intake (P < 0.01) regardless of FO supplementation. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that AH can be replaced by CS to prevent depression in DMI and stimulate chewing activity in the case of fat supplementation.

Effect of increased dietary crude protein levels on production performance, nitrogen utilisation, blood metabolites and ruminal fermentation of Holstein bulls.

ObjectiveThis study investigated the effect of dietary crude protein (CP) supplementation on nutrient intake, nitrogen (N) utilisation, blood metabolites, ruminal fermentation and growth performance of young Holstein bulls.MethodsTwenty-one young bulls weighing 277±11.2 kg were equally divided into three groups and were offered diets formulated with low CP (LCP; 10.21% CP and 4.22% rumen degradable protein [RDP]), medium CP (MCP; 12.35% CP and 5.17% RDP) and high CP (HCP; 14.24% CP and 6.03% RDP). Yellow corn silage was used as a unique forage source and was mixed with concentrate. This mixed feed was given ad libitum to the young bulls included in the study.ResultsResults showed that CP intake, blood urea nitrogen, N intake, total N excretion and N balance increased linearly with an increase in dietary CP level (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in nutrient digestibility among the bulls receiving the different diets. Ruminal pH (p<0.05) and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) concentration (p<0.01) were significantly higher in the bulls receiving the MCP and HCP diets than in those receiving the LCP diet. The bulls receiving the HCP diet showed significantly higher ruminal bacterial protein level, propionate, acetate and total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentrations than bulls receiving the LCP diet (p<0.05). Moreover, dietary CP level exerted a significant positive effect on the final body weight, average daily gain and gain-to-feed ratio of the bulls (p<0.05).ConclusionHigh dietary CP level is optimal for achieving maximum growth and high profitability without exerting a negative effect on the physiology of growing Holstein bulls.

Genetic improvement programme in Gir cattle for enhancing milk productivity

The All India Co-ordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Cattle is implemented in the home tract of Gir cattle for their conservation, propagation and genetic improvement. The involvement of Gir animal owners under the programme has helped to create awareness among the farmers on the importance of this valuable breed. The production of frozen semen doses of genetically superior young bulls and the availability of AI facility at the doorsteps of the farmer has increased the conception rate to a large extent. All lactation production performance of Gir animals maintained in the GP unit revealed better performance than the first lactation production traits. The overall total lactation milk yield, 305-days yield, lactation length, peak yield and dry period were estimated as 3801.0 kg, 2868.30 kg, 457.2 days, 14.80 kg and 68.50 days, respectively. The mean all lactation service period and calving interval were 216.50 and 498.50 days, respectively. The production and reproduction performance of Gir cattle has improved over the years due to the implementation of the project and continuous efforts will be made to propagate this valuable germplasm to the needy people of the country.

Use of a live yeast strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a high-concentrate diet fed to finishing Charolais bulls: effects on growth, slaughter performance, behavior, and rumen environment

Aim of this study was to evaluate effects on growth, slaughter performance, behavior, and rumen environment parameters of dietary supplementation with a live yeast strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a high-concentrate finishing diet fed to young Charolais bulls. A total 171 bulls (initial body weight (BW) = 442 ± 22.8 kg) were stratified by BW and assigned to one of two experimental groups: Control (85 bulls) and Yeast (86 bulls). Each group was allotted to 6 contiguous pens. All bulls were fed the same finishing diet ad libitum as a total mixed ration (TMR) at 0900 h. The live yeast strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1077 was added to the Yeast bull premix to target a daily dose of 5 g/bull. Bull final BW (743 ± 18.7 kg) and average daily gain (1.64 ± 0.12 kg) did not differ between groups. However, yeast increased dry matter (DM) intake (11.0 versus 10.4 kg/d; P = 0.04) and tended to reduce (P = 0.08) the number of days required for finishing. The effect of yeast on DM intake was particularly relevant in the first weeks of fattening, possibly as a sign of better adaptation by bulls to the high-energy concentration of the finishing diet. Carcass weights and dressing did not differ between treatments, but the likelihood of producing a carcass graded as excellent by conformation score was 2.15 times higher for Yeast than Control bulls (Chi-Square = 14.7 and 95% confidence interval = 1.42–3.27; P < 0.001). Observation of bull behavior assessed during the 8 h after TMR delivery at the end of the 2nd and 4th mo of fattening showed a similar eating and ruminating pattern between treatments. However, yeast provision prevented from the drop in rumination rate (min/kg DM) recorded in Control bulls from the 2nd to the 4th mo of fattening. Physical and chemical analysis of TMR samples collected from the mangers at determined intervals after TMR delivery indicated that bulls of both treatments preferentially selected towards long fibrous particles. Rumen pH, lactic acid and total volatile fatty acid concentrations in samples collected before TMR feeding after the 3rd month of fattening were not affected by treatment but yeast increased acetate and butyrate concentrations as well as acetate:propionate ratio. Post mortem inspection of rumen wall showed that the occurrence of rumen papillae hyperkeratinization was lower for Yeast than Control bulls (relative risk = 0.51 and 95% confidence interval = 0.27–0.95; P = 0.02).

Correction to Exploration of Biological Markers of Feed Efficiency in Young Bulls.

RETURN TO ISSUEPREVAddition/CorrectionNEXTORIGINAL ARTICLEThis notice is a correctionCorrection to Exploration of Biological Markers of Feed Efficiency in Young BullsSarah J. Meale*Sarah J. MealeUniversité Clermont Auvergne, INRA, VetAgro Sup, UMR Herbivores, F-63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, FranceMore by Sarah J. Mealehttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-8417-1186, Diego P. MorgaviDiego P. MorgaviUniversité Clermont Auvergne, INRA, VetAgro Sup, UMR Herbivores, F-63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, FranceMore by Diego P. Morgavi, Isabelle Cassar-MalekIsabelle Cassar-MalekUniversité Clermont Auvergne, INRA, VetAgro Sup, UMR Herbivores, F-63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, FranceMore by Isabelle Cassar-Malek, Donato AnduezaDonato AnduezaUniversité Clermont Auvergne, INRA, VetAgro Sup, UMR Herbivores, F-63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, FranceMore by Donato Anduezahttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-1839-4461, Isabelle Ortigues-MartyIsabelle Ortigues-MartyUniversité Clermont Auvergne, INRA, VetAgro Sup, UMR Herbivores, F-63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, FranceMore by Isabelle Ortigues-Marty, Richard J. RobinsRichard J. RobinsElucidation of Biosynthesis by Isotopic Spectrometry Group, CEISAM, CNRS−University of Nantes UMR6230, B.P. 92208, F-44322 Nantes, FranceMore by Richard J. Robins, Anne-Marie SchiphorstAnne-Marie SchiphorstElucidation of Biosynthesis by Isotopic Spectrometry Group, CEISAM, CNRS−University of Nantes UMR6230, B.P. 92208, F-44322 Nantes, FranceMore by Anne-Marie Schiphorst, Carole MignéCarole MignéUniversité Clermont Auvergne, INRA, UNH, Plateforme d’Exploration du Métabolisme, MetaboHUB Clermont, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, FranceMore by Carole Migné, Mélanie PétéraMélanie PétéraUniversité Clermont Auvergne, INRA, UNH, Plateforme d’Exploration du Métabolisme, MetaboHUB Clermont, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, FranceMore by Mélanie Pétéra, Sophie LaverrouxSophie LaverrouxUniversité Clermont Auvergne, INRA, VetAgro Sup, UMR Herbivores, F-63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, FranceMore by Sophie Laverroux, Benoit GrauletBenoit GrauletUniversité Clermont Auvergne, INRA, VetAgro Sup, UMR Herbivores, F-63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, FranceMore by Benoit Graulet, Hamid BoudraHamid BoudraUniversité Clermont Auvergne, INRA, VetAgro Sup, UMR Herbivores, F-63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, FranceMore by Hamid Boudra, and Gonzalo Cantalapiedra-Hijar*Gonzalo Cantalapiedra-HijarUniversité Clermont Auvergne, INRA, VetAgro Sup, UMR Herbivores, F-63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, FranceMore by Gonzalo Cantalapiedra-HijarCite this: J. Agric. Food Chem. 2018, 66, 17, 4580Publication Date (Web):April 23, 2018Publication History Published online23 April 2018Published inissue 2 May 2018https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.8b01910Copyright © 2018 American Chemical SocietyRIGHTS & PERMISSIONSArticle Views452Altmetric-Citations-LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InReddit PDF (212 KB) Get e-Alerts Get e-Alerts

Caractérisation zootechnique et formule barymétrique de la race zébu Azawak à Ménaka au nord du Mali

L’objectif de cette étude était de participer à la sauvegarde et à l’amélioration des performances du zébu Azawak au Mali en proposant une estimation des performances de croissance et de reproduction de cette race bovine élevée au nord du pays. Le suivi a concerné 1129 animaux dans quatre communes du cercle de Ménaka, entre novembre 2009 et février 2010. A 30 jours, les mâles pesaient en moyenne 39 ± 10 kg et les femelles 32 ± 4 kg. Aucune différence significative (p &gt; 0,05) n’a été enregistrée entre les poids adultes des taureaux (370 ± 88 kg) et des vaches (327 ± 46 kg). L’âge au premier vêlage a été de 50 ± 11 mois avec un intervalle entre vêlages de 16 ± 4 mois. Les corrélations du poids avec le périmètre thoracique (r = 0,95) et la hauteur au garrot (r = 0,94) ont été les plus élevées. Des équations barymétriques ont été établies pour chaque catégorie animale (veau/velle, génisse/taurillon, vache/taureau) au moyen de régressions polynomiales du poids (y) sur le périmètre thoracique (x). Celles-ci pourront servir à établir une table de conversion du périmètre thoracique en poids vif ou un ruban barymétrique à l’attention des agents de l’élevage, afin de faciliter un suivi zootechnique et sanitaire des animaux sur le terrain.

Performance and meat quality of Nellore bulls fed crude glycerin combined with soybean oil

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of crude glycerin combined with soybean oil on the performance and fatty acid composition of the longissimus muscle in Nellore bulls. Twenty-eight Nellore young bulls, each with an initial body weight (BW) of 408 ± 29 kg (age 20 ± 2 months), were used in a completely randomized design over a period of 84 days in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. The treatments were diets with crude glycerin at 100 g/kg DM (CG+) or without crude glycerin (CG−); diet with inclusion of soybean oil at 60 g/kg DM (Oil+) or without soybean oil inclusion (Oil−). All diets were composed of corn silage (400 g/kg DM), used as the only source of roughage, and concentrate (600 g/kg DM). The intake of the dry matter (g/kg of body weight), neutral detergent fiber (aNDF) and crude protein decreased with soybean oil inclusion, independent of crude glycerin addition. The aNDF digestibility decreased in diets with soybean oil and without crude glycerin. The DM and organic matter (OM) were most digestible in diets that added crude glycerin but excluded soybean oil. Animals fed soybean oil without crude glycerin exhibited higher intake of linoleic acids, total unsaturated fatty acids (UFA), and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) than those fed other diets. There were no effects of oil or crude glycerin feeding on final body weight, average daily gain (ADG), hot carcass weight, subcutaneous fat thickness, or loin eye area (P > 0.05). Animals fed soybean oil incorporate into the muscle 40% more conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) and 32% more linoleic acids compared to other diets. The addition of crude glycerin decreased the elongase index (P = 0.04) in the longissimus muscle. The combination of crude glycerin and soybean oil did not effectively increase performance or unsaturated fatty acid deposition in meat. However, the addition of soybean oil at 60 g/kg DM optimized feed efficiency and did not alter ADG.

Does lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage differ in cryopreserved semen samples from young, adult and aged Nellore bulls?

The aims of this study were to evaluate cryopreserved semen of Nellore bulls of different ages and verify whether sperm quality declines with advancing age and whether lipid peroxidation and DNA damage are involved in this process. For this purpose, 40 Nellore bulls were divided into three age groups: Young, aged 1.8–2 years (n = 9); Adult, aged 3.5–7.0 years (n = 19); and Seniors, aged 8.0–14.3 years (n = 12). Three ejaculates were collected from each bull, cryopreserved and evaluated for various parameters including membrane integrity, mitochondrial potential (FITC-PSA and JC1), lipid peroxidation (C-11BODIPY 581 / 591) and oxidative DNA damage (8OHdG) using flow cytometry. The thawed semen of senior bulls was characterized by a low percentage of motile sperm (33.7 ± 6.1%), higher damage to the plasma and acrosomal membrane (37.5 ± 9.8%), and low mitochondrial potential (29.1 ± 13.8%), as well as higher percentages of peroxidated cells (53.6 ± 12.2%) and DNA damage (44.1 ± 11.0%; P < 0.05). Lipid peroxidation was negatively correlated with motility (r = −0.35, P < 0.0002), average mitochondrial potential (r = −0.42; P < 0.0001) and showed a positive correlation with membrane injury and oxidative DNA damage (r = 039; P = 0.0003). Young bulls presented superior thawed sperm quality, possibly due to greater resistance to oxidative stress and, consequently, to cryopreservation. In conclusion, the sperm quality of bull semen declines with advancing age and is strongly associated with increased oxidative damage to both the plasma membrane and DNA.

Boneless yield of carcass of feedlot-finished young Bos indicus L. bulls

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el rendimiento deshuesado en canal de 64 toros jóvenes Nellore alimentados en corral con dietas que contienen urea recubierta o sin recubrir y sacrificados a cinco pesos corporales (350, 455, 485, 555 y 580 kg). Se utilizó un diseño completamente aleatorizado con un arreglo factorial de 5 × 2. No se detectó ningún efecto significativo para la interacción entre el peso de sacrificio y la dieta; por lo tanto, las variables se analizaron por separado, en comparación con los contrastes polinómicos y la prueba F, respectivamente. Los pesos absolutos de los cortes primarios del cuarto anterior y posterior aumentaron linealmente a medida que aumentaba el peso del sacrificio de los animales. El aumento de los pesos de sacrificio elevó el porcentaje de la tapa de la grupa en el cuarto trasero de la pistola, así como su rendimiento. Los porcentajes de la gorguera y la falda de la rabadilla aumentaron linealmente, mientras que los de nudillo, lomo, filete de flanco, grupa y plano exterior disminuyeron y la suma de los cortes primarios tuvo un efecto cuadrático en relación con el peso de la mitad de la carcasa. El aumento de los pesos de matanza condujo a un mayor porcentaje de grasa del recorte de los cortes del cuarto trasero en relación con el peso de la carcasa 1/2. El peso de los cortes de carne fue similar entre los grupos de animales alimentados con urea recubierta y no recubierta. Los pesos de sacrificio más altos generan cortes de carne más pesados pero porcentajes más bajos de cortes primarios del cuarto trasero de la pistola en relación con el peso de la carcasa.

Effects of different forms of soybean lipids on enteric methane emission, performance and meat quality of feedlot Nellore

AbstractThe aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of different forms of soybean lipids on enteric methane emission, intake, performance, digestibility and meat quality of 40 young Nellore bulls (initial body weight (BW) 444 ± 10.2 kg and 24 ± 2.1 months). The dietary treatments were as follows: NF = no dietary additional fat (46.0 g ether extract (EE)/kg diet), SO = soybean oil (62.0 g EE/kg diet), SB = soy beans (without any processing; 62.0 g EE/kg diet) and RPF = rumen-protected fat based on soybean oil (62.0 g EE/kg diet). The intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) was greater in the SO diet than those fed with NF. The SO diet decreased digestibility of NDF when compared with the NF and RPF diets. The diets did not affect digestibility of DM, OM, CP or emission of enteric methane. Animals fed with SO had greater average daily gain and feed efficiency in relation to the other diets tested. The SO diet increased hot and cold carcass weights and subcutaneous fat thickness of carcasses when compared with the NF diet. The proportions of saturated and unsaturated, mono and polyunsaturated, and n-3 and n-6 fatty acids were not affected significantly by treatments. The SO diets were demonstrated to be more beneficial for animal performance compared with diets without supplemental fat.

Genetic improvement of Kankrej cattle through associated herd progeny testing under field and farm conditions

The genetic improvement programme of Kankrej cattle under AICRP on Cattle is implemented in their home tract for their conservation and propagation. The involvement of farmer’s animal under the programme has helped to create awareness among the cattle breeders on the importance of this valuable breed. The production of frozen semen doses of genetically superior young bulls and providing the AI facility at the doorstep of the farmer has motivated and increased the conception rate to a large extent. The average age at first calving (AFC), first lactation 305 days milk yield, first lactation length and first peak yield were 1273.44±39.87 days (41.85 months), 2295.27±133.83 kg, 312.13±11.94 days and 10.53±0.51 kg, respectively. The average first service period and dry period were 149.81±16.27 and 126.30±13.31 days and overall lactation average dry period, service period and calving interval were 144.74±9.65, 169.39±15.03 and 434.24±12.94 days, respectively. The average all lactation 305 days milk yield, lactation length and days to attain peak yield were 2627.35±119.42 kg, 307.57±08.54 days and 55.75±6.12 days, respectively. The wet average and dry average were 8.58 and 5.38 kg, respectively. The performance of Kankrej cattle has improved over the years due to the implementation of the project and continuous efforts will be made to propagate this valuable germplasm to the needy people of the country.

Performance and carcass quality of Nellore and F1 Rubia Gallega × Nellore young bulls supplemented with chromium picolinate

Supplementation with chromium may be an alternative to beef production. The objective was to evaluate the performance and carcass quality of uncastrated Nellore (NEL) and F1 Rubia Gallega × Nellore (RGN) young bulls receiving protein-energy supplementation containing chromium picolinate (CrP). Sixty young bulls (30 NEL and 30 RGN) with an initial weight of 232.40 ± 0.0 kg, average age of 210 days, were distributed in a completely randomized design in a 2 × 2 (genetic groups and supplementation with and without CrP) factorial arrangement. The experimental period was 335 days, including 15 days of adaptation, divided into two stages: post-weaning (210 days) and finishing period (110 days) and slaughtered at 530 days of age. No interaction effect (p>0.05) between genetic group and CrP was detected. During the post-weaning period, the RGN animals showed a higher average daily gain (ADG) than the NEL (0.65 × 0.49 kg/day), while in the finishing stage, ADG was similar (p=0.162) between the groups. Supplementation with CrP elevated (p=0.021) ADG by 50 g/day in the post-weaning stage, but lowered it by 130 g/day in the finishing stage. Genetic group and the use of CrP did not affect (p>0.05) loin-eye area, subcutaneous fat thickness, hot carcass weight, carcass dressing percentage, carcass conformation, or degree of fatness. The RGN young bulls have better performance and higher muscle and bone tissue development rates than the NEL. Supplementation with CrP does not influence the carcass quality, but accelerates muscle development in the post-weaning stage.

Effect of lipid sources on fatty acid profiles of meat from pasture- and feedlot-finished Nellore bulls

We aimed to compare the influence of two lipid sources (soybean grain [SG], and protected fat [PF, Lactoplus], based on soybean oil) with a control diet (no lipid supplementation) on the fatty acid (FA) profile (longissimus muscle and subcutaneous fat) of beef cattle finished on grazing pasture or at a feedlot. The study was arranged in a complete randomized design, using 2 × 3 factorial scheme that combined 2 finishing systems and 3 diets. Seventy-eight young Nellore bulls (323.8 ± 25.4 kg body weight [BW] and 21 ± 3 months of age) were divided at random into two finishing systems: 1) pasture-finishing and 2) feedlot-finishing. The diet containing PF increased CLA in the muscle (P = 0.0002). Pasture-finished bulls fed lipid-supplemented diets had significantly more (P = < 0.0001) subcutaneous saturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in muscle, whereas the PUFA concentration of PF-fed bulls was highest (P = < 0.0001) in subcutaneous fat. The highest (P = 0.0090) concentration of Omega-6 (n6) was observed in the muscle tissue of pasture-finished animals supplemented with SG. However, the lowest concentration (P = 0.0010) of n6 FAs in subcutaneous fat was more evident in pasture-finished animals receiving the control diet. The concentration of C20:5 n3 (EPA) was significantly higher (P = 0.040) in the muscle tissue of animals receiving the control diet in pasture and deposition of EPA was greater (P = 0.0020) in the subcutaneous fat of pasture-finished animals. The highest concentrations (P = < 0.0001) of n3 were observed in the muscle tissue of pasture-finished animals. Animals receiving the control diet in both finishing systems had a lower (P = 0.0051) n6:n3 ratio in muscle tissue. By comparison, feedlot-finished animals showed a higher (P < 0.01) n6:n3 ratio in muscle tissue, and the highest (P = 0.0190) n6:n3 ratio in subcutaneous fat was observed in pasture- and feedlot-finished animals supplemented with PF compared to the control diet. The muscle and subcutaneous fat tissues of feedlot-finished bulls fed the control and SG diets had a significantly higher (P < 0.05) Δ9-desaturase C16 index. The lowest (P = 0.0010) elongase concentrations were observed in the muscle tissue of PF-fed bulls, regardless of finishing system. Overall, bulls finished on grazing pasture had a more desirable FA composition.

Growth performance and safety of meat from cattle feedlot finished with monensin in the ration

Monensin is an ionophore antibiotic, the inclusion of which in the feed of beef cattle favors the best use of feed nutrients, via ruminal modulation. However, there are concerns regarding the residence of residues in the carcass from metabolism of monensin. The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive performance, carcass characteristics, serum parameters, tissue residual depletion and economic benefit of finishing of young bulls in confinement with monensin in the ration. Thirty-six animals were confined, and given 50% corn silage feed and 50% more concentrated feed. The experimental design was completely randomized, with two treatments (with or without monensin) and 10 replicates for the control group and eight for the monensin group. The use of monensin reduced the dry matter intake in relation to live weight (2.36% vs 2.55%), and improved feed conversion (8.61 vs 10.06 kg kg?1); the animals presented higher live weight (511 vs 494 kg), higher warm carcass weight (285 vs 272 kg) and an increase in fat thickness (4.97 vs 4.25 mm) compared to control animals. These increases in performance gave higher economic results, with a profit margin of R$ 122.84 per animal. A waiting period of 16 h before slaughter resulted in monensin concentrations below 0.25 µg kg?1 in edible organs and tissues, values well below those permitted by legislation. The use of monensin for young bulls in confinement promoted improvements in productive and economic performance, without leaving residues in edible tissues.

Using PCR-PIRA based genotyping for identifying complex vertebral malformation allele in Frieswal young bulls in India.

Complex vertebral malformation (CVM) has considerable economic impact on dairy cattle breeding due to extensive use of artificial insemination (AI). Identifying the carrier is an important factor to reduce the incidence of the genetic disorder. The study was conducted to identify the carriers of CVM in Frieswal cattle by polymerase chain reaction-primer-introduced restriction analysis (PCR-PIRA) method, which was further confirmed by sequencing. Carrier prevalence of 1% was observed in the Frieswal cattle. The results of the study clearly demonstrated the existence of carriers of CVM among Frieswal bull calves. Due to the widespread use of AI it is recommended to screen young bulls at early stages for this defective allele in order to avoid its rapid spread within the population.

In vivo ultrasound and biometric measurements predict the empty body chemical composition in Nellore cattle.

Evaluation of the body chemical composition of beef cattle can only be measured postmortem and those data cannot be used in real production scenarios to adjust nutritional plans. The objective of this study was to develop multiple linear regression equations from in vivo measurements, such as ultrasound parameters [backfat thickness (uBFT, mm), rump fat thickness (uRF, mm), and ribeye area (uLMA, cm2)], shrunk body weight (SBW, kg), age (AG, d), hip height (HH, m), as well as from postmortem measurements (composition of the 9th to 11th rib section) to predict the empty body and carcass chemical composition for Nellore cattle. Thirty-three young bulls were used (339 ± 36.15 kg and 448 ± 17.78 d for initial weight and age, respectively). Empty body chemical composition (protein, fat, water, and ash in kg) was obtained by combining noncarcass and carcass components. Data were analyzed using the PROC REG procedure of SAS software. Mallows' Cp values were close to the ideal value of number of independent variables in the prediction equations plus one. Equations to predict chemical components of both empty body and carcass using in vivo measurements presented higher R2 values than those determined by postmortem measurements. Chemical composition of the empty body using in vivo measurements was predicted with R2 > 0.73. Equations to predict chemical composition of the carcass from in vivo measurements showed R2 lower (R2< 0.68) than observed for empty body, except for the water (R2 = 0.84). The independent variables SBW, uRF, and AG were sufficient to predict the fat, water, energy components of the empty body, whereas for estimation of protein content the uRF, HH, and SBW were satisfactory. For the calculation of the ash, the SBW variable in the equation was sufficient. Chemical compounds from components of the empty body of Nellore cattle can be calculated by the following equations: protein (kg) = 47.92 + 0.18 × SBW - 1.46 × uRF - 30.72 × HH (R2 = 0.94, RMSPE = 1.79); fat (kg) = 11.33 + 0.16 × SBW + 2.09 × uRF - 0.06 × AG (R2 = 0.74, RMSPE = 4.18); water (kg) = - 34.00 + 0.55 × SBW + 0.10 × AG - 2.34 × uRF (R2 = 0.96, RMSPE = 5.47). In conclusion, the coefficients of determination (for determining the chemical composition of the empty body) of the equations derived from in vivo measures were higher than those of the equations obtained from rib section measurements taken postmortem, and better than coefficients of determination of the equations to predict the chemical composition of the carcass.