Feeding Holstein steers from start to finish

The effect of different implant programs on beef × dairy steer feedlot growth performance and carcass characteristics

The objective of this study was to evaluate potency and timing of trenbolone acetate (TBA) administration on live performance and carcass characteristics of beef × dairy steers. A total of 6,895 beef × dairy steers [initial body weight (BW) = 157 ± 5.2 kg] were allotted into 30 pens, with pen as the experimental unit. Each pen was randomly assigned one of three implant treatments: 1) Revalor-IS (IS) at d 0, IS at d 80, and Revalor-XS (XS) at d 160 (IS/IS/XS); 2) Ralgro at d 0, IS at d 80, and XS at d 160 (Ral/IS/XS); or 3) Encore at d 0 and XS at d 160 (Enc/XS). Steers were blocked by arrival date, each pen was terminally sorted in three ways at 257 ± 22 days on feed and harvested at 329 ± 25 days on feed. For live and carcass outcomes, fixed effect of implant treatment and random effect of block was evaluated. Data are reported on a deads and removals out basis. Removals, morbidity, and mortality were similar (P ≥ 0.45). Steers administered TBA prior to d 160 were 5.8 kg heavier (P = 0.03) than Enc/XS steers at d 160. Final BW was not different (P = 0.78). Early administration of a TBA-containing implant resulted in an increased prevalence of bullers [2.40%, 5.18%, 6.86% (for Enc/XS, Ral/IS/XS, and IS/IS/XS) respectively; P < 0.01]. Dry matter intake (DMI) was 2.3% greater (P < 0.01) in steers administered Enc/XS compared to IS/IS/XS; however, DMI as a percentage of BW, average daily gain, and feed efficiency were not different (P ≥ 0.12). Dressing percentage, hot carcass weight, heavy carcass occurrence, Longissimus muscle area, and 12th rib fat thickness were similar among all steers (P ≥ 0.28). Marbling score tended to be greatest for Enc/XS and Ral/IS/XS (P = 0.09). Enc/XS graded a greater proportion of USDA Prime and fewer USDA Select carcasses than IS/IS/XS (P < 0.05). Enc/XS and Ral/IS/XS tended (P = 0.09) to have more USDA Yield Grade (YG) 1 carcasses. While delayed administration or decreased total potency of TBA-containing implants may decrease buller incidence and improve Quality Grade, few differences were observed in live or carcass outcomes.

Beef embryos in dairy cows: feedlot performance, mechanistic responses, and carcass characteristics of straightbred Holstein calves and Angus-sired calves from Holstein, Jersey, or crossbred beef dams

Improved reproductive management has allowed dairy cow pregnancies to be optimized for beef production. The objective of this sire-controlled study was to test the feedlot performance of straightbred beef calves raised on a calf ranch and to compare finishing growth performance, carcass characteristics, and mechanistic responses relative to beef × dairy crossbreds and straightbred beef cattle raised in a traditional beef cow/calf system. Tested treatment groups included straightbred beef steers and heifers reared on range (A × B; n = 14), straightbred beef steers and heifers born following embryo transfer to Holstein dams (H ET; n = 15) and Jersey dams (J ET; n = 16) The finishing trial began when cattle weighed 301 ± 32.0 kg and concluded after 195 ± 1.4 d. Individual intake was recorded from day 28 until shipment for slaughter. All cattle were weighed every 28 d; serum was collected from a subset of steers every 56 d. Cattle of straightbred beef genetics (A × B, H ET, and J ET) and A × H were similar in final shrunk body weight, dry matter intake, and carcass weight (P > 0.05 for each variable). Compared with A × J cattle, J ET was 42 d younger at slaughter with 42 kg more carcass weight (P < 0.05 for both variables). No difference was observed in longissimus muscle area between all treatments (P = 0.40). Fat thickness was greatest for straightbred beef cattle, least for A × J cattle, and intermediate for A × H cattle (P < 0.05). When adjusted for percentage of adjusted final body weight, feed efficiency was greater for straightbred beef cattle compared with beef × dairy crossbred cattle (P = 0.04). A treatment × day interaction was observed for circulating insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I; P < 0.01); 112 d after being implanted, beef × dairy crossbred cattle had greater circulating IGF-I concentration than cattle of straightbred beef genetics (P < 0.05). Straightbred beef calves born to Jersey cows had more efficient feedlot and carcass performance than A × J crossbreds. Calves of straightbred beef genetics raised traditionally or in a calf ranch performed similarly in the feedlot.

Post-weaning management of modern dairy cattle genetics for beef production: a review

The contribution of dairy steers to the U.S. fed beef supply has increased from 6.9% to 16.3% over the last two decades; in part, due to declining beef cow numbers and the increased use of sexed dairy semen to produce genetically superior replacement heifers from the best dairy cows. Raising dairy cattle for beef production offers unique opportunities and challenges when compared with feeding cattle from beef breeds. Dairy steers offer predictable and uniform finishing cattle performance (ADG, DMI, G:F) as a group and more desirable quality grades on average compared with their beef steer counterparts. However, dairy steers have lesser dressing percentages and yield 2%-12% less red meat compared with beef steers due to a greater ratio of bone to muscle, internal fat, organ size, and gastrointestinal tract weight. In addition, carcasses from dairy steers can present problems in the beef packing industry, with Holstein carcasses being longer and Jersey carcasses being lighter weight than carcasses from beef breeds. Beef × dairy crossbreeding strategies are being implemented on some dairy farms to increase the income generated from dairy bull calves, while beef × dairy crossbreeding strategies can also improve the G:F and red meat yield of beef produced from the U.S. dairy herd. This alternative model of beef production from the dairy herd is not without its challenges and has resulted in variable results thus far. Successful adoption of beef × dairy crossbreeding in the cattle industry will depend on the proper selection of beef sires that excel in calving ease, growth, muscling, and marbling traits to complement the dairy genetics involved in beef production.

In utero choline exposure alters growth, metabolism, feed efficiency, and carcass characteristics of Holstein × Angus cattle from weaning to slaughter

Feeding rumen-protected choline (RPC) to late gestation dairy cows has potential to affect growth in offspring. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of in utero choline exposure on the growth, feed efficiency (FE), metabolism, and carcass quality of Angus × Holstein cattle. Multiparous Holstein cows pregnant with male (N = 17) or female (N = 30) Angus-sired calves were enrolled 21 d prepartum and randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments varying in quantity and formulation of RPC. The treatments included a control with 0 g/d supplemental RPC (CTL), supplemental RPC fed at the recommended dose (RD) of 15 g/d from either an established RPC product (RPC1RD; ReaShure; Balchem Corp.) or choline ion from a concentrated RPC prototype (RPC2RD; Balchem Corp.), or a high dose (HD) of RPC2 fed at 22 g/d (RPC2HD). From 2 to 6 mo of age, calves were group housed and offered 2.3 kg grain/hd/d (42% CP) with ad libitum grass hay, and stepped up to a complete finishing diet by 7 mo (12.0% CP; 1.34 Mcal/kg NEg). Weight and height were measured monthly. Animal FE was measured in individual pens for 35 d at 8 mo. Feed intake was measured daily, and blood was obtained on day 18 during the FE period. Afterwards, cattle were group housed and offered a free-choice finishing diet until slaughter, where carcass yield and quality characteristics were measured. Mixed models were used in PROC MIXED (SAS, 9.4) with the fixed effects of treatment, sex, time, their interactions, and the random effect of calf. Month was the repeated measure, and preplanned contrasts were used. Blood and FE data were analyzed with the fixed effect of dam choline treatment, calf sex, and the interaction. Increasing dose of RPC tended to increase weight over the entire study period. Feeding any RPC increased hip and wither height compared with CTL, and increasing RPC dose linearly increased hip and wither height. Treatment and sex interacted on DMI whereby increasing RPC intake linearly increased DMI for males but not females. Compared with control, feeding any RPC decreased plasma insulin, glucose, and an insulin sensitivity index (RQUICKI). In utero choline exposure increased kidney-pelvic-heart fat and marbling score. Mechanisms of action for intrauterine choline exposure on offspring growth, metabolism, and carcass characteristics should be explored as they have direct implications for profitability for cattle growers and feeders.

Crossbreeding beef sires with dairy cows: cow, feedlot, and carcass performance

Genetic and reproductive advancements in the dairy industry, volatile milk markets, and beef packer restrictions on dairy carcasses have increased the popularity of crossbreeding beef sires to dairy cows in the United States. This observational study aimed to understand performance of dairy cows bred to beef sires and feedlot and carcass performance of crossbred beef × dairy cattle. For dairy cow performance, archived records from two dairies representing two successive lactations were evaluated in cows (Dairy A: n = 72/group; Dairy B: n = 456/group) representing 1) All Dairy, where previous sire type of conception was Holstein for both lactations, or 2) Beef on Dairy, where previous sire type of conception was Holstein for the preceding lactation and a beef breed for the subsequent lactation. For feedlot performance, closeout data from pens (n = 26/cattle type) of beef and beef × dairy steers and heifers were evaluated. For carcass performance, individual carcass data were compared between conventional beef (n = 966), beef × dairy (n = 518), and Holstein (n = 935) steers sampled across a variety of processing facilities, harvest lots, and geographical regions. Cow lactation performance was minimally impacted by sire type of previous conception. Cows conceived to beef sires exhibited a 2 to 3 d greater (P < 0.01) gestation length than cows conceived to Holstein sires. Beef × dairy cattle were not largely different in weight gain at the feedlot but exhibited 1-unit lesser (P < 0.01) dressing percentage than beef cattle. Beef × dairy carcasses possessed 18% lesser (P < 0.05) 12th rib fat thickness than beef cattle and 5% greater (P< 0.05) ribeye area than dairy cattle. Additionally, beef cattle produced nearly double (P < 0.05) the percentage of yield grade 4 carcasses produced by beef × dairy and Holstein cattle.

The Effects of Using Pineapple Stem Starch as an Alternative Starch Source and Ageing Period on Meat Quality, Texture Profile, Ribonucleotide Content, and Fatty Acid Composition of Longissimus Thoracis of Fattening Dairy Steers

The effects of different starch sources (ground corn (CO), ground cassava (CA) and pineapple stem starch (PI)) and ageing period (14 and 21 days) on meat characteristics of Holstein steers were investigated. Starch sources had no effect on meat characteristics, while meat aged for 14 days had less thawing loss than that aged for 21 days. Meat from steers fed PI had higher levels of inosine monophosphate (IMP) than the others (p < 0.05). With increasing duration of ageing, the content of IMP and guanosine monophosphate in the meat decreased, while the content of hypoxanthine increased (p < 0.05). Meat from steers fed CO had the highest oleic acid but the lowest erucic acid (p < 0.05) in contrast to meat from steers fed PI, which had the lowest oleic acid but the highest erucic acid. Steers fed CO appeared to produce healthier meat as this was positively associated with monounsaturated fatty acid content. Meat from steers fed PI had higher levels of IMP, which may be associated with good taste.

Bacterial community analysis of purulent material from liver abscesses of crossbred cattle and Holstein steers fed finishing diets with or without tylosin

Liver abscesses in feedlot cattle are polymicrobial infections. Culture-based studies have identified Fusobacterium necrophorum as the primary causative agent, but a number of other bacterial species are frequently isolated. The incidence of liver abscesses is highly variable and is affected by a number of factors, including cattle type. Holstein steers raised for beef production have a higher incidence than crossbred feedlot cattle. Tylosin is the commonly used antimicrobial feed additive to reduce the incidence of liver abscesses. The objective of this study was to utilize 16S ribosomal RNA amplicon sequence analyses to analyze the bacterial community composition of purulent material of liver abscesses of crossbred cattle (n = 24) and Holstein steers (n = 24), each fed finishing diet with or without tylosin. DNA was extracted and the V3 and V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene were amplified, sequenced, and analyzed. The minimum, mean, and maximum sequence reads per sample were 996, 177,070, and 877,770, respectively, across all the liver abscess samples. Sequence analyses identified 5 phyla, 14 families, 98 genera, and 102 amplicon sequence variants (ASV) in the 4 treatment groups. The dominant phyla identified were Fusobacteria (52% of total reads) and Proteobacteria (33%). Of the top 25 genera identified, 17 genera were Gram negative and 8 were Gram positive. The top 3 genera, which accounted for 75% of the total reads, in the order of abundance, were Fusobacterium, Pseudomonas, and Bacteroides. The relative abundance, expressed as percent of total reads, of phyla, family, and genera did not differ (P > 0.05) between the 4 treatment groups. Generic richness and evenness, determined by Shannon-Weiner and Simpson's diversity indices, respectively, did not differ between the groups. The UniFrac distance matrices data revealed no clustering of the ASV indicating variance between the samples within each treatment group. Co-occurrence network analysis at the genus level indicated a strong association of Fusobacterium with 15 other genera, and not all of them have been previously isolated from liver abscesses. In conclusion, the culture-independent method identified the bacterial composition of liver abscesses as predominantly Gram negative and Fusobacterium as the dominant genus, followed by Pseudomonas. The bacterial community composition did not differ between crossbred and Holstein steers fed finishing diets with or without tylosin.

Effects of concentrate levels and pineapple stem on growth performance, carcass and meat quality of dairy steers

The objective of this study was to determine a suitable level of concentrate using pineapple stem by-product as a roughage source for the growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality of Holstein steer. Forty Holstein steers with an average initial body weight of 404.2 ± 38.2 kg (18 months of age) were used in a completely randomised design. The treatments consisted of four levels of restricted concentrate (4, 5, 6 and 7 kg/head/day as fed basis), and the animals were fed ad libitum pineapple stem by-product as a roughage source. The data were analysed by using orthogonal polynomial contrasts of trend response, represented by the linear and quadratic effects of the concentrate levels. Total dry matter intake (DMI) increased with increasing concentrate levels and was the highest in the dairy steer fed 6 kg/head/day (P < 0.05). Pineapple stem by-product intake was decreased by 5.51, 4.70, 4.04 and 2.59 kg DM/day with increasing concentrate levels, and the linear effect was significant (P < 0.01). Ruminal pH decreased with increasing concentrate levels (6.54, 6.46, 6.12 and 6.00), and the linear effect was significant (P < 0.01). The overall carcass characteristics were not affected by the treatments. The steers fed 4 kg/head/day of the concentrate presented the lowest feed cost per gain. These results indicated that pineapple stem by-product is suitable for use as a roughage source.

Bacterial flora of liver abscesses in crossbred beef cattle and Holstein steers fed finishing diets with or without tylosin

Holstein steers raised for beef production consistently have a higher prevalence and more severe form of liver abscesses than cattle of beef breeds. A study was conducted to compare bacterial flora of liver abscesses collected from multiple abattoirs from 4 groups of cattle, arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design, consisting of crossbred cattle and Holstein steers, and each group fed a finishing diet supplemented with or without tylosin. A total of 383 liver abscess samples, consisting of 94 and 81 from crossbred cattle and 89 and 119 from Holstein steers fed finishing diets with or without tylosin, respectively, were subjected for anaerobic and aerobic bacterial isolations. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of tylosin to the predominant bacterial species were determined. The likelihood chi-square test was performed to assess unadjusted differences in bacterial prevalence proportions between the 2 types of cattle (crossbred and Holstein steers) and feed type (tylosin or no tylosin). There was no interaction between cattle type and tylosin inclusion on the prevalence of any of the bacterial species isolated. Liver abscesses from Holstein steers yielded a higher total number of isolates compared to liver abscesses from crossbred cattle (1060 vs. 788). subsp. was isolated from all abscesses. The prevalence of subsp. was 19.1% and was not affected by the cattle type or tylosin. The prevalence of was higher ( < 0.01) in crossbred cattle (73.7%) compared to Holstein steers (29.8%). Also, the prevalence of was higher in abscesses from tylosin-fed (66.1%) cattle than no tylosin-fed cattle (35%). The overall prevalence of was 25.3% and was similar ( = 0.58) between cattle type, but the prevalence was lower ( < 0.01) in tylosin-fed (16.9%) compared to no tylosin-fed group (33%). Mean MIC of tylosin for and were similar across both cattle types and tylosin inclusion. Although bacterial flora of liver abscesses from Holstein steers appeared to be more diverse than that of crossbred cattle, there was no difference in the prevalence of the and and in fact, prevalence of was higher in crossbred than Holstein steers. Therefore, the difference in bacterial flora is not the likely reason for higher prevalence and severity of liver abscesses in Holstein steers than crossbred beef cattle.

Influence of dietary nonstructural carbohydrate concentration on growth performance and carcass characteristics of Holstein steers

Objective

Since very little information exists about the topic; in this experiment we compare, in a long-term finishing program, the growth-performance responses and carcass characteristics of Holstein steers where non-structural carbohydrate concentration of the diet is reduced from 64% to 51% (dry matter basis).

Methods

Sixty Holstein steer calves (129±2.2 kg) were blocked by initial weight into five groups and randomly assigned within weight groupings to 10 pens. Calves were fed with a steam-flaked corn-based finishing diets containing 51% higher fiber (HF) or 64% lower fiber (LF) nonstructural carbohydrates. Non-structural carbohydrates concentrations were manipulated substituting dried distiller grain with solubles and alfalfa hay for flaked corn. Cattle were weighed every 112 days and at the end of the experiment (day 308) when the cattle were harvested and carcass characteristics were evaluated.

Results

Steers fed the HF diet showed improvement (8.8%) in average daily gain (ADG) during the initial 112-d period. This effect was followed by a numerical trend for greater ADG throughout the remainder of the study so that overall ADG tended to be greater (4.9%, p = 0.06) for the HF than for LF. There were no treatment effects on dry matter intake. Gain efficiency and estimated dietary net energy (NE) were greater 8.3% and 5.2%, respectively for HF during the initial 112-d period. Overall (308-d) gain efficiency and estimated dietary NE were similar for both dietary treatments. However, due to differences in tabular dietary NE, the ratio of observed:expected dietary NE tended to be greater (4.1%, p = 0.06) for the HF vs LF diet. There were no treatment effects on carcass characteristics except for a tendency toward a slightly greater (0.5%, p = 0.09) estimated carcass yield.

Conclusion

Reducing the non-structural carbohydrate concentration of a conventional steam-flaked corn-based growing finishing diet for Holstein steers can effectively enhance growth performance, particularly during the early growing and late finishing phases.

The effect of days on feed and zilpaterol hydrochloride supplementation on feeding behavior and live growth performance of Holstein steers

This experiment was designed to study the effect of days on feed (d 225-533) and zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) supplementation on Holstein steer ( = 110) performance and feeding behavior as part of a serial slaughter trial. Steers were randomly assigned to 1 of 11 harvest groups with 10 steers ( = 5 control and = 5 ZH; ZH at 8.33 mg/kg diet) harvested each 28 d. Steers were weighed every 28 d (d 225, 253, 281, 309, 337, 365, 393, 421, 449, 477, 505, and 533); individual daily meal consumption data for each steer were recorded using GrowSafe technology. In the pretreatment period, dry matter intake expressed a negative quadratic relationship with days on feed (DOF) {DMI = -5.7120 + (0.08370 x DOF)- (0.00011 x DOF); Adj. = 0.2574; RMSE = 0.25 75; 0.01}. A linear increase in BW ( < 0.01) occurred during the pretreatment 308 d period from 466 to 844 kg, {BWend = 137.61 + (1.4740 x DOF); Adj. = 0.8819; RMSE = 37.06; < 0.01}, whereas ADG and G:F decreased linearly. Dry matter intake per meal exhibited a quadratic relationship over days on feed and peaked ( < 0.01) during d 365 to 392 at 1.065 kg coinciding with the highest numerical daily DMI (11.19 kg). Daily consumption visit duration differed ( < 0.01) during the 308 d period, with a low of 52.29 min (d 337-364) and a high of 55.59 min (d 365-392). Consumption rate peaked at 714 g/min (d 337-364) and exhibited a quadratic relationship to DOF. The difference ( < 0.04) in DMI between control and ZH treated cattle across all 11 harvest groups averaged 0.575 kg. Moreover, ZH treatment resulted in decreased ( 0.01) DMI per meal event of 0.093 kg. Gain to feed tended to improve ( = 0.06) with ZH treatment by 0.017 kg gain per kg feed relative to the control cattle. Daily bunk, consumption, and meal visit durations were influenced by ZH during the 20 d treatment period ( = 0.01); the average difference between control and ZH supplemented cattle over the 308 d trial was 9.09, 8.71, and 11.39 min per d, respectively. The data collected in this trial indicate live growth performance and feeding behavior were impacted by both DOF and ZH supplementation.

Effect of immunocastration with Bopriva on carcass characteristics and meat quality of feedlot Holstein bulls

To evaluate the effect of immunocastration on carcass and meat characteristics, Holstein bulls aged between 7 and 8months with a live weight of 232±1.19kg were given two separate treatments, placebo (intact bulls) versus Bopriva, and then slaughtered after approximately 239days of fattening. While the testosterone levels in intact bulls remained at 0.42ng/ml throughout the study, by day 181, differences (P<0.05) were observed in immunized bulls, with values of 0.21ng/ml. The carcasses of animals treated with Bopriva recorded both a higher hot carcass weight (HCW) and a cold carcass weight (CCW), as well as higher dorsal fat density, marbling and KPH (P<0.05); however, no differences (P>0.05) were observed in the Longissimus lumborum area. No significant differences (P>0.05) were recorded between the treatments for pH, L*, a*, b* C* and H*. The carcasses of the animals treated with Bopriva were heavier, with higher dorsal fat density and marbling score.