• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.11
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• pp.1469-1475
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• 2010

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of methods of feeding a total mixed ration (TMR) on behavior patterns of growing Hanwoo steers. A total of 15 growing steers (13 months old) were assigned to the control (fed roughage and concentrate mix separately), TMR1 (fed restricted TMR), and TMR2 (fed TMR ad libitum) groups. Individual behaviors of steers were observed for 48 hours. Compared with the control, feeding restricted TMR (TMR1) resulted in short eating time, long ruminating time, short chewing time, high frequencies of defecation, urination, and drinking of water, great numbers of boluses and chews, long ruminating time per bolus, low feed value index, high eating and chewing efficiencies (p<0.05). Compared with feeding restricted TMR (TMR1), feeding TMR ad libitum (TMR2) resulted in 1.2 kg more daily feed DM intake, long eating and chewing times, short resting time, great frequencies of defecation, urination and drinking of water, more numbers of boluses and chews, long ruminating time per bolus, low feed value index, low eating and high ruminating efficiencies (p<0.05) and similar chewing efficiency (p>0.05). Considering all these results, the wet TMR feeding system induced generally more desirable eating and ruminating behaviors of growing Hanwoo steers, but made the barn floor wetter due to more defecation and urination.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.85-92
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• 2021

Objective: The objectives of this study were to determine the in situ degradation parameters and appropriate feeding level of pineapple cannery by-products (PCB) based on the growth performance and blood parameters of growing Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae) steers fed various levels of PCB. Methods: Two ruminally cannulated Holstein cows were used for in situ disappearance rate measurements. Nylon bags (5×10 cm, 45 ㎛ pore size) filled with 5 g of PCB in triplicate were inserted into the ventral sac of the two cannulated Holsteins cows and incubated for 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, and 48 h. A total of 16 castrated growing Hanwoo steers (12.5±0.5 months old, 302.9±25.7 kg of initial body weight [BW]) were used for the experiment. Animals were stratified by initial BW and then randomly assigned to one of four experimental diets (0%, 1.5%, 3.0%, or 6.0% of PCB, on the dry matter [DM] basis) fed for 91-d, including 30-d of adaptation. Results: Soluble fraction a of DM and crude protein (CP) was 61.9% and 86.0%, fraction b of DM and CP was 32.7% and 11.2%, and indigestible fraction c of DM and CP was 5.4% and 2.8%. The 6.0% PCB feeding group showed lower productivity compared to animals in the other treatments. Increasing the dietary level of PCB did not alter DM intake, but it was numerically lowest in the 6.0% feeding group. The gain to feed ratio was linearly decreased by increasing of PCB. The quadratic broken-line test estimated that 2.5% (DM basis) was the maximum feeding level of PCB in growing Hanwoo steers (y = 0.103 - 0.001×[1.245-x]2, R2 = 0.18). Conclusion: Diets containing up to 2.5% PCB can be fed to growing Hanwoo steers without adverse effects on growth performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1575-1581
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• 2012

This study evaluated the effect of dietary supplementation of microbially-fermented spent mushroom substrates (MFSMS) on weight gain, carcass characteristics, and economic efficiency of Hanwoo steers. Highly cellulolytic bacteria (Enterobacter spp. and Bacillus spp.) isolated from spent mushroom substrates (SMS) stacks were inoculated (1% v/v) into the SMS, which was anaerobically fermented and fed to the steers for 12.6 months during the growing and fattening periods. Growing Hanwoo steers were assigned to the control group without supplementation of Microbially-fermented SMS (MFSMS), to a treatment group with 50% of MFSMS (1/2 of the ad libitum group), and to a treatment group with ad libitum access to SMS (the ad libitum group). All the groups were fed the formulated feed and rice straw. The voluntary intake (DM basis) of MFSMS was 1.6 kg/d during the growing period and 1.4 kg/d during the fattening period. The voluntary rice straw intake decreased by 6 to 11%, but the total voluntary DMI increased by 7 to 15% with MFSMS fed. The increased DMI with MFSMS supplementation resulted in a tendency of increased (p = 0.055) live weight gain by 8 to 12% compared with the control group. At slaughtering, the supplementation of MFSMS increased (p<0.05) the ribeye area by an average of 10 cm2. In conclusion, feeding MFSMS improved growth performance and carcass traits of Hanwoo steers and could successfully replace a part of conventional roughage such as rice straw commonly used in Asian countries.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.337-342
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• 1995

Two feeding trials were conducted to determine the effect of molasses feeding on the growth performances of bulls. In the first experiment, the straw of a control diet of straw and urea was replaced by molasses of 150 g ($M_{150}$) or $300g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ ($M_{300}$). The three diets were fed ad libitum to three groups of bulls having five in each and the dietary responses were statistically analyzed in a simple design. The bulls were given fishmeal ($30g{\cdot}hd^{-1}{\cdot}d^{-1}$), wheat bran (0.5% of Liveweight, LW) and allowed grazing for $5hrs{\cdot}d^{-1}$. Molasses supplementation significantly (p < 0.001) increased the dry matter intake (DMI) of the bulls of $M_{150}$ (35.8g) and of $M_{300}$ (42.9g) than the control ($30.4g{\cdot}kg^{-0.75}$). The daily LW gain of the bulls of the $M_{150}$ (982g) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the bulls of the control or of the $M_{300}$ diet. In the second experiment, a control group of four bulls was fed a straw diet. Treatment two groups, having four bulls in each, were fed a mixed diet of Leucaena leucocephala and Setaria splendida(1:1, DM basis) with (LSM) and without (LS) molasses at $100g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$. The dietary responses were statistically analyzed in a simple design. The bulls of the LSM diet had significantly (p < 0.05) higher DMI, DM digestibility and LW gain ($128g{\cdot}kg^{-0.75}$, $663g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ and $419g{\cdot}d^{-1}$, respectively) than the bulls of the LS diet ($98.3g{\cdot}kg^{-0.75}$, $583g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ and $292g{\cdot}d^{-1}$, respectively). But the differences between the LSM and the control were nonsignificant. It may be concluded that molasses may be utilized as supplement to straw at $150g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ or forages at $100g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ diet for the profitable beef production from young growing bulls.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.839-851
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• 2024

Objective: The main goal of our current study was to improve the growth curve of meat animals by decreasing the birth weight while achieving a finishing weight that is the same as that before selection but at younger age. Methods: Random regression model was developed to derive various selection indices to achieve desired gains in body weight at target time points throughout the fattening process. We considered absolute and proportional gains at specific ages (in weeks) and for various stages (i.e., early, middle, late) during the fattening process. Results: The point gain index was particularly easy to use because breeders can assign a specific age (in weeks) as a time point and model either the actual weight gain desired or a scaled percentage gain in body weight. Conclusion: The point gain index we developed can achieve the desired weight gain at any given postnatal week of the growing process and is an easy-to-use and practical option for improving the growth curve.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.935-944
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• 2013

Essential oils have been shown to favorably effect in vitro ruminal fermentation, but there are few in vivo studies that have examined animal responses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of thyme (THY) and cinnamon (CIN) essential oils on feed intake, growth performance, ruminal fermentation and blood metabolites in feedlot calves fed high-concentrate diets. Twelve growing Holstein calves ($213{\pm}17kg$ initial BW) were used in a completely randomized design and received their respective dietary treatments for 45 d. Treatments were: 1-control (no additive), 2-THY (5 g/d/calf) and 3-CIN (5 g/d/calf). Calves were fed ad libitum diets consisting of 15% forage and 85% concentrate, and adapted to the finishing diet by gradually increasing the concentrate ratio with feeding a series of transition diets 5 wk before the experiment started. Supplementation of THY or CIN did not affect DMI and ADG, and feed efficiency was similar between treatment groups. There were no effects of additives on ruminal pH and rumen concentrations of ammonia nitrogen and total VFA; whereas molar proportion of acetate and ratio of acetate to propionate decreased, and the molar proportion of propionate increased with THY and CIN supplementation. Rumen molar concentration of butyrate was significantly increased by adding CIN compared to control; but no change was observed with THY compared with control group. No effects of THY, or CIN were observed on valerate, isobutyrate or isovalerate proportions. Plasma concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, urea-N, ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were not changed by feeding THY or CIN. Results from this study suggest that supplementing a feedlot finishing diet with THY or CIN essential oil might be useful as ruminal fermentation modifiers in beef production systems, but has minor impacts on blood metabolites.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1486-1494
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• 2017

Objective: This research analyzed behavioral characteristics of Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae) steers during each season and growth stage to enable measurement of the animals' welfare level for precision livestock farming. Methods: A hundred-eight beef steers were divided into three equal groups at a Hanwoo farm according to their growth stage: growing stage (GS), 8 months; early-fattening stage (EFS), 19 months; and late-fattening stage (LFS), 30 months. Twelve behavioral categories were continuously recorded for 13 day-time hours in each four seasons with three replications. Results: Time spent standing was found to be significantly longer in summer at all growth stages (p<0.05). Hanwoos at the GS spent significantly longer standing time in spring and summer than those at the EFS and LFS (p<0.05). Lying time in summer was the shortest for all growth stages (p<0.05). Steers at the LFS spent significantly longer lying time than that at the GS (p<0.05) in summer. For GS and EFS, time spent eating in spring and autumn were longer than in summer and winter (p<0.05). Eating time was the longest for the GS in spring, autumn, and winter, excluding for the LFS in winter (p<0.05). Regarding ruminating, steers at the LFS spent significantly shorter time than those at other stages in all seasons (p<0.05). GS and EFS steers showed the longest walking time in summer compared with other seasons (p<0.05). At GS and LFS, drinking time in summer was the longest of all seasons (p<0.05). Sleeping time was significantly shorter in summer compared with the other seasons (p<0.05). Self-grooming time was the longest in winter for all growth stages (p<0.05). Conclusion: Steers were found to have more variable behavioral patterns during summer and the GS and less active behaviors during the LFS, thus extra care seems necessary during the GS, LFS, and summer period.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1396-1404
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• 2017

Objective: This study was determined the influence of virginiamycin supplementation on growth-performance and characteristics of digestion of cattle with decreasing dietary net energy value of the diet for maintenance ($NE_m$) from 2.22 to 2.10 Mcal/kg. Methods: Eighty crossbred beef steers ($298.2{\pm}6.3kg$) were used in a 152-d performance evaluation consisting of a 28-d adaptation period followed by a 124-d growing-finishing period. During the 124-d period steers were fed either a lesser energy dense (LED, $2.10Mcal/kg\;NE_m$) or higher energy dense (HED, $2.22Mcal/kg\;NE_m$) diet. Diets were fed with or without 28 mg/kg (dry matter [DM] basis) virginiamycin in a $2{\times}2$ factorial arrangement. Four Holstein steers ($170.4{\pm}5.6kg$) with cannulas in the rumen (3.8 cm internal diameter) and proximal duodenum were used in $4{\times}4$ Latin square experiment to study treatment effects on characteristics of digestion. Results: Neither diet energy density nor virginiamycin affected average daily gain (p>0.10). As expected, dry matter intake and gain efficiency were greater (p<0.01) for LED- than for HED-fed steers. Virginiamycin did not affect estimated net energy value of the LED diet. Virginiamycin increased estimated NE of the HED diet. During daylight hours when the temperature humidity index averaged $81.3{\pm}2.7$, virginiamycin decreased (p<0.05) ruminal temperature. Virginiamycin did not influence (p>0.10) ruminal or total tract digestion. Ruminal (p = 0.02) and total tract digestion (p<0.01) of organic matter, and digestible energy (p<0.01) were greater for HED vs LED. Ruminal microbial efficiency was lower (p<0.01) for HED vs LED diets. Conclusion: The positive effect of virginiamycin on growth performance of cattle is due to increased efficiency of energy utilization, as effects of virginiamycin on characteristics of digestion were not appreciable. Under conditions of high ambient temperature virginiamycin may reduce body temperature.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 1993

This experiment was carried out to determine the effects of application time of cattle slurry on grazing pasture on the grass growth, dry matter yield, nutritive value, animal preference, and efficiency of pasture utilization. Four different application times of slurry(right now after grazing, 5th day, 10th day, and 15th day after grazing), and a no-slurry(control) plot were designed, 1991∼1992. Annual application amount of slurry was 40 ㎥/ha, and slurry was applicated in spring(2 times), summer and autumn. Total NPK fertilizer applicated were same as 280, 200 and 240 kg/ha in all treatment, respectively. The pasture was grazed with growing beef cattle(initial body wt.; ca. 250 kg) at every 30∼35 cm of plant height. The grass height, dry matter yield, crude protein yield, and other nutritive value were not different among treatments. However, the animal preference and efficiency of pasture utilization showed significant difference by application time of slurry. The highest grazing preference (1: the worst∼9: the best). and utilization efficiency (0∼100%) were observed by application time of right now after grazing (7.8, 76%), which was same to control(7.8, 77%), and followed by 5th day after grazing(7.3, 74%) and l0th day after grazing(6.9, 71%). But the preference and pasture utilization were greatly decreased at application time of cattle slurry of 15th day alter grazing(5.5, 60%). From the above results, the optimum application time of cattle slurry on grazing pasture to enhance animal preference, and efficiency of pasture utilization was within 5 days after grazing (less than 13.6 cm of plant height), and within 10 days after grazing (less than 18.5 cm of plant height) at least.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.666-673
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• 2016

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of the level of corn dry distillers grains with solubles (CDDGS) supplementation on growing performance, blood metabolites, digestion characteristics and ruminal fermentation patterns in steers grazing dormant forage. In Exp. 1, of growth performance, 120 steers ($204{\pm}5kg$ initial body weight [BW]) were distributed randomly into 3 groups (each of 40 steers), which were provided with the following levels of CDDGS supplement: 0%, 0.25%, or 0.50% BW. All groups of steers were grazed for 30 days in each of 3 grazing periods (March, April, and May). Approximately 1,000 ha of the land was divided with electric fencing into 3 equally sized pastures (333 ha in size). Blood samples were collected monthly from 20 steers in each grazing group for analysis of glucose (G), urea-nitrogen (UN) and non-esterified fatty acids. Final BW, average daily gain (ADG) and supplement conversion (CDDGS-C) increased with increasing levels of CDDGS supplementation (p<0.05).The CDDGS supplementation also increased the plasma G and UN concentrations (p<0.05). In Exp. 2, of digestive metabolism, 9 ruminally cannulated steers ($BW=350{\pm}3kg$) were distributed, following a completely randomized design, into groups of three in each pasture. The ruminally cannulated steers were provided the same levels of CDDGS supplementation as in the growing performance study (0%, 0.25%, and 0.50% BW), and they grazed along with the other 40 steers throughout the grazing periods. The dry matter intake, crude protein intake, neutral detergent fiber intake (NDFI), apparent digestibility of dry matter (ADDM), crude protein (ADCP) and neutral detergent fiber (ADNDF) increased with increasing levels of CDDGS supplementation (p<0.05). The ruminal degradation rates of CP (kdCP), NDF (kdNDF) and passage rate (kp) also increased with increasing levels of CDDGS supplementation (p<0.05). Ruminal ammonia nitrogen ($NH_3$-N) and propionate concentrations also increased with increasing levels of CDDGS supplementation (p<0.05). However, acetate concentrations decreased with increasing levels of CDDGS supplementation (p<0.05). Liquid dilution rate increased with increasing levels of CDDGS supplementation but ruminal liquid volume decreased (p<0.05). On the basis of these findings, we can conclude that CDDGS supplementation enhanced the productive performance of cattle grazing native rangeland without negatively affecting forage intake, glucose and urea-nitrogen blood concentrations, ruminal degradation and ruminal fermentation patterns.