• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.495-504
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• 2017

Objective: Manipulating the fermentation to improve the performance of the ruminant has attracted the attention of both farmers and animal scientists. Propionate salt supplementation in the diet could disturb the concentration of propionate and total volatile fatty acids in the rumen. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of calcium propionate supplementation on the ruminal bacterial community composition in finishing bulls. Methods: Eight finishing bulls were randomly assigned to control group (CONT) and calcium propionate supplementation (PROP) feeding group, with four head per group. The control group was fed normal the total mixed ration (TMR) finishing diet, and PROP group was fed TMR supplemented with 200 g/d calcium propionate. At the end of the 51-day feeding trial, all bulls were slaughtered and rumen fluid was collected from each of the animals. Results: Propionate supplementation had no influence the rumen fermentation parameters (p>0.05). Ruminal bacterial community composition was analyzed by sequencing of hypervariable V3 regions of the 16S rRNA gene. The most abundant phyla were the Firmicutes (60.68%) and Bacteroidetes (23.67%), followed by Tenericutes (4.95%) and TM7 (3.39%). The predominant genera included Succiniclasticum (9.43%), Butyrivibrio (3.74%), Ruminococcus (3.46%) and Prevotella (2.86%). Bacterial community composition in the two groups were highly similar, except the abundance of Tenericutes declined along with the calcium propionate supplementation (p = 0.0078). Conclusion: These data suggest that the ruminal bacterial community composition is nearly unchanged by propionate supplementation in finishing bulls.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.63-74
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• 2023

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of feeding active dry yeast (ADY) and yeast culture (YC) on fecal bacterial community in finishing bulls fed high-concentrate diets in the same experimental environment. Methods: Forty-five healthy finishing cattle (Simmental×Chinese Luxi yellow bulls; 24 months; 505±29 kg) were randomly divided into three groups: i) CON group (control group, only fed basal diet), ii) ADY group (fed basal diet + active dry yeast), and iii) YC group (fed basal diet + yeast culture). At the end of the trial, nine rectum fecal samples were randomly selected from each group for bacterial DNA sequencing. Results: There was no difference among groups about alpha diversity indices (all p>0.05), including ACE, Chao 1, Shannon, and Simpson indices. Principal component analysis and non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis showed a high similarity among three groups. Compared with CON group, ADY and YC groups had greater relative abundance of c_Clostridia, o_Oscillospirales, and f_Oscillospiraceae, but lesser relative abundance of g_Megasphaera, and s_Megasphaera_elsdenii (all p<0.01). And, the relative abundances of p_Firmicutes (p = 0.03), s_Prevotella_sp (p = 0.03), o_Clostridiales (p<0.01), g_Clostridium (p<0.01), f_Caloramatoraceae (p<0.01), and f_Ruminococcaceae (p = 0.04) were increased in the ADY group. The PICRUSt2 prediction results showed that the metabolic pathways had no significant differences among groups (p>0.05). Besides, the relative abundance of c_Clostridia (r = 0.42), and f_Oscillospiraceae (r = 0.40) were positively correlated to average daily gain of finishing bulls (p<0.05). Conclusion: Both of ADY and YC had no effect on diversity of fecal bacteria in finishing bulls, but the supplementation of ADY and YC can improve the large intestinal function in finishing bulls by increasing the abundance of cellulolytic bacteria and altering the abundance of lactic acid-utilizing bacteria.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.101-106
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• 1996

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of bST administration on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing Korean native bulls. Fifty four Korean native bulls of about 14 months of age weighting an average 420 kg were assigned to receive no injection of bST, 250 mg of bST s.c. injection every week, or 500 mg bST s.c. injection every 2 weeks (Control, 250ST, 500ST) in a $3{\times}3$ randomized block design for a period of 20 weeks Animals administered with bST responded with decreased feed DMI by 8%(p < 0.01), increased ADG by 12%(p < 0.05), and increased gain/feed ratio by 20%(p < 0.01). But there was no significant difference in the growth performance between 250ST and 500ST. Administration of bST increased dressing percentage by 1.8%(p < 0.05), and tended to increase longissimus muscle area and decrease backfat thickness and marbling score.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.1241-1245
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• 2004

Two separate trials were conducted to determine effects of dietary level of whole flaxseed (WFS; 0, 10 and 15%) on feed intake, weight gain, and carcass yield and quality of Korean Hanwoo cattle. The daily gains of bulls (Trial 1) were not different among treatment groups, but those of cows (Trial 2) fed WFS 15% were higher (p<0.01) than others. Feed intake of both bulls and cows tended to decrease as dietary level of WFS increased. However, feed conversion ratio (feed/gain) of bulls tended to be improved by dietary inclusion of WFS and was significantly improved (p<0.01) in cows by increasing level of WFS. Neither carcass weight nor dressing percentage were affected by WFS level. Back fat thickness of bulls was decreased (p<0.01) by dietary inclusion of WFS and the same trend was observed in cows without statistical significance. Loin-eye area of bulls was not different among treatment groups but was significantly higher (p<0.01) in cows fed WFS. Carcass yield and quality were not improved by WFS addition. The results indicate that WFS is an acceptable fat source in diets of finishing beef cattle to increase energy density without any adverse effects.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.9
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• pp.1309-1316
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• 2015

In this paper, weight, carcass dressing, weights of the primary cuts, weights of the physical components of the primary cuts, and weights of the main commercial cuts of 66 $Purun{\tilde{a}}$ animals, of which 33 were bulls and 33 were steers were evaluated. These animals, with an average age of 19 months at the beginning of the experiment, were finished in a feedlot system during 116 days, and were fed with diets containing three levels of concentrate (0.8%, 1.1%, and 1.4% of body weight). The concentrate was formulated with 25% soybean meal, 73% ground corn grain, 1% of a mineral mix, and 1% of limestone. The interaction between sexual groups and the concentrate level was not significant for any of the variables. Likewise, no effect of the concentrate level was detected on the same variable traits. The bulls demonstrated higher hot carcass weights (265.1 vs 221.7 kg) and a higher proportion of forequarter (38.4% vs 36.1%) however the steers presented with higher proportions of side (19.7% vs 18.5%) and hindquarter (44.2% vs 43.1%). The bulls produced higher yields of muscle in the three primary cuts, there by resulting in higher yields of edible portions of the carcass. The bulls also produced higher weights of tenderloin, knuckle, topside, flat, eye round, rump, and rump cover. The finishing of young bulls in feedlot is to be recommended, since the animals produce carcasses with higher amounts of edible meat and higher yields of commercial cuts, thus allowing for a better price for the carcass. Low concentrate level could be used due to the lower cost of production for farmers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.59-66
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• 1989

Growing and finishing Korean native bulls were used to investigate the effects of different dietary energy levels on performance and energy intake. Experimental observations were made over three weight categories (200 to 250 kg, 250 to 350 kg and 350 to 450 kg). Three diets (2.4, 2.6 and 2.8 Mcal ME/kg DM) were used for each weight category. Crude protein levels of the diets were 12, 11 and 10% for the respective weight groups. Dietary energy level did not significantly affect daily body gain within a weight range but daily body gain during the entire experiment was higher (P<.05) in bulls receiving 2.6 Mcal energy diet than in those fed 2.4 and 2.8 Mcal energy diets. The following equation was developed to predict daily body gain(Y) from energy levels(X) of ration. $Y\;=\;1.3.475X\;-\;2.5949X^{2}\;-\;16.355$ Increasing energy levels significantly (P<.05) decreased daily feed intake. The following equation was developed to predict daily feed intake(Y) from energy levels(X) of ration. $Y\;=\;-30.013X\;+\;5.4401X^{2}\;+\;49.119$ Feed intake per metabolic body size during the entire feeding period ranged from 100.9 to 110.8 g and was lower in bulls fed 2.6 and 2.8 Mcal energy diets than in those fed 2.4 Mcal energy diet. Increasing energy levels significantly (P<.05) improved feed efficiency. The following equation was developed to predict feed efficiency(Y) from energy levels(X) of ration. $Y\;=\;-118.34X\;+\;22.448X^{2}\;+\;162.85$ Daily energy intake during the entire experiment ranged from 18.90 to 19.99 Mcal and there was no significant difference among energy levels. Daily energy intake per metabolic body size during the feeding period ranged from 248.6 to 260.8 kcal and was slightly higher in bulls receiving 2.8 Mcal than in those fed 2.4 and 2.6 Mcal energy diets. Energy required per kg body gain ranged from 17.25 to 19.11 Mcal and was slightly lower in bulls receiving 2.6 Mcal energy diet than in those fed 2.4 and 2.8 Mcal energy diets.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.12
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• pp.1831-1841
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• 2023

Objective: This study was realized to evaluate the effects of supplementation with blends of water and fat-soluble vitamins on animal performance and carcass traits of young Nellore bulls. Methods: Forty-three Nellore bulls, with an initial weight of 261±27.3 kg and a mean age of 8±1.0 months, were used. Five animals were slaughtered at the beginning of the experiment (reference group), to determine the initial empty body weight of the bulls that remained in the experiment. The remaining 38 bulls were fed ad libitum and distributed in a completely randomized design in a 2×2 factorial scheme, with or without supplementation of water-soluble (B-blend+ or B-blend-) and fat-soluble (ADE+ or ADE-) vitamin blends. Diets were isonitrogenous (120 g of crude protein/kg dry matter [DM] of total mixed ration) and consisted of a roughage:concentrate rate of 30:70 based on total DM of diet. The experiment lasted 170 days, with 30 days of adaptation and 140 days for data collection. At the beginning and end of the experimental period, the bulls were weighed to determine the average daily gain. To estimate the apparent digestibility of nutrients and microbial efficiency, spot collections of feces and urine were performed for five consecutive days. Results: DM, ashes, organic matter, crude protein, ethereal extract, neutral detergent fiber corrected for residual ash and residual nitrogenous, and N intake and apparent digestibility were not influenced by vitamin supplementation, but total digestible nutrients intake and non-fibrous carbohydrates digestibility were influenced by B complex vitamin supplementation. Nitrogen balance, microbial efficiency, and performance data were not influenced (p>0.05) by vitamin supplementation. Conclusion: Vitamin supplementation (a blend of water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins or their combinations) does not influence the animal performance and carcass traits of young Nellore bulls.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.1718-1734
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• 2009

The aim of this review is to address some characteristics that influence meat quality. Genetic groups, nutrition, finishing systems and gender are the major factors that change carcass characteristics, chemical composition and fatty acid profile. Genetic groups that have zebu genes in their composition show higher hot carcass dressing than genetic groups without zebu genes. Genetic groups that have European breeds in their composition have higher marbling scores. On the other hand, genetic groups that have zebu breeds show low marbling scores. Bulls finished in feedlots present higher final weight than steers, cull cows and heifers. Fat thickness is one of the principal parameters that are affected by different gender. Cull cows (4.72 mm) and heifers (4.00 mm) present higher values than bulls (1.75 mm) and steers (2.81 mm). The major effects observed by different systems of termination are fat thickness and marbling. Crude protein presents variation due to nutrition. Nutrition influences variation of fatty acid profile. Genetic groups also influence fatty acid profile. Genetic groups that have zebu genes in their composition show high percentage of PUFA. The major class of fatty acids that is changed with nutrition is PUFA. The better ratios of PUFA/SFA and n-6/n-3 are found in Longissimus muscle of animals finished in pasture systems.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.409-420
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• 2003

This experiment was carried out to investigate effects of fermented feedstuff added Saccharomyces cerevisiae(FFSC) on growth performance and carcass grade of growing Hanwoo bulls. Twenty six Hanwoo bulls averaging 230$\pm$24kg were randomly assigned within two dietary treatments which were control and FFSC. Average daily gain and feed intake were significantly higher in FFSC compared with control during growing, fattening and finishing period. Feed conversion was improved in FFSC compared with control during fattening and finishing period. During the whole experimental period, average daily gains were 1.06 and 0.98kg in FFSC and control, respectively, and it indicated that 19% was improved in FFSC compared with control(P<0.05). Feed intake was not significantly different between treatments during whole experimental period. In addition, feed conversion was not significantly different between treatments, there was a tendency to be beneficially increased about 7% in FFSC compared with control. There was no differences on yield traits including carcass weight, dressing, back fat thickness, rib-eye area and meat production between treatments. Marbling score was improved in FFSC compared with control(P<0.05). Appearances of ‘A’ ranked meat quantity were 44.4 and 25.0% in FFSC and control, respectively. Only FFSC had ‘1’ ranked appearance, but there was no ‘1’ ranked appearance in the control.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.419-426
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• 2002

We conducted two experiments to evaluate the effects of chromium picolinate(CrP) on growth performance, carcass characteristics and plasma components in Holstein bulls. In trial Ⅰ, eight finishing Holstein bulls(300${\pm}$6.99Kg) were allocated to 2 treatments(control and 0.05% CrP) with 4 replication for 10-months. In results, growth performance was not affected by CrP addition. The plasma insulin concentration in 0.05% CrP group was about 2 times higher than the control group of Holstein bulls. The levels of plasma NEFA were significantly decreased to 59.00 mEq/dl with 0.05% CrP treatment(P<0.05), but the levels of plasma glucose and PUN were not altered by 0.05% CrP treatment. The grade of carcass was not different between control and 0.05% CrP group, but back fat thickness in 0.05% CrP group was increased in 22.33% compared with control group. In trial 2, fifteen growing- finishing Holstein bulls(160${\pm}$4.63Kg) were allocated to 3 treatments(control, 0.025% CrP and 0.05% CrP) with 5 replication for 14-months. During the overall experimental period, growth performance was not affected by CrP levels. The levels of hormone and metabolites were not affected by CrP supplementa- tion. The carcass characteristics were not different between control and treatment. These results show that the CrP may have no effects for beef cattle production because of degradation of CrP conjugation in the rumen. However treatment of short term provide a possibility the effects of development for lipogenesis.