Does the use of corn and soybean hulls affect calf performance in the preweaning period?

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of two levels of soybean hulls (0 and 400.1 g/kg) and whole or ground corn in the diet of newborn crossbred dairy male calves on intake, performance, blood indicators, and feeding cost. Twenty-eight calves with an average weight of 33.0±6.2 kg and four days of age were distributed into four treatment groups in a completely randomized design (n = 7) for 56 days. Weekly samples of feed, diets, and leftovers were collected to determine dry matter and nutrient intakes. To evaluate apparent digestibility, samples were taken using titanium dioxide as a maker. Blood samples were also collected to evaluate blood indicators. The inclusion of soybean hulls resulted in greater neutral detergent fiber intake by the calves, but reduced their non-fibrous carbohydrates intake, which was also reduced by the use of whole corn in the diet. Although the total digestible nutrients content of diets decreased with the use of whole corn and inclusion of soybean hulls, its intake did not vary (0.75 kg/d), regardless of the factors analyzed. The apparent digestibilities of dry matter (0.87 kg/kg) and crude protein (0.89 kg/kg) were similar, resulting in similar performance between the animals, regardless of the factors analyzed. In the quantities evaluated, the use of soybean hulls or whole corn did not affect blood indicators and was insufficient to reduce feed costs; the cost of daily feed was $2.06, while the cost per kilogram of gain was $3.74. The inclusion of up to 400.1 g/kg of soybean hulls or the replacement of ground corn with whole corn does not affect the performance of crossbred dairy calves during the preweaning period, demonstrating that both can be used in animal feed during this phase of production.(AU)

Carcass and meat characteristics from dairy-origin steers fed with diets based on ground pearl millet grain, containing inclusion levels of babassu mesocarp meal / Características de carcaça e carne de novilhos de origem leiteira alimentados com dietas à base de grão de milheto, contendo níveis de inclusão de farelo do mesocarpo do babaçu

This study aimed to evaluate carcass and meat characteristics of feedlot-finished steers of dairy origin fed with pearl millet grain-based diets, containing inclusion levels of babassu mesocarp bran (BMB) (0, 12, 24, 36 and 48%). A total of 30 Holstein-Zebu crossbred steers with an average initial weight of 371.02 ± 27 kg were randomly divided into six groups fed with different experimental diets (five pearl millet-based diets containing inclusion levels of BMB and one standard corn-based diet). Each diet had five replications. Isonitrogenous diets had a roughage/concentrate ratio of 20/80. BMB inclusion level in the diet reduced slaughter and carcass weight from 488.4 and 242.2 kg to 454.0 and 226.7 kg, respectively. The subcutaneous fat thickness, conformation, and pistol cut weight were also reduced to 38.8, 13.6, and 9%, respectively, as the BMB inclusion level in the diet increased. Meat characteristics were not affected by BMB inclusion levels in the diet. Regarding carcass and meat characteristics, no difference was observed in the analysis of contrasts between BMB diets and corn- or millet-based diets, or between corn- or millet-based diets. The inclusion of BMB in millet-based diets should consider the cost/benefit ratio, as it reduces slaughter and carcass weight, while the main meat characteristics remain unchanged. However, total substitution of corn by millet grains in feedlot diets does not altercaracteristics of carcass and meat of dairy steers.(AU)

Objetivou-se avaliar as características da carcaça e carne de novilhos mestiços de origem leiteira terminados em confinamento com dietas a base de grãos de milheto, contendo níveis de inclusão de farelo do mesocarpo do babaçu (0, 12, 24, 36 e 48%). Foram utilizados 30 novilhos mestiços Holandês-Zebu com peso inicial médio de 371,02 ± 27 kg distribuídos aleatoriamente em seis dietas experimentais (cinco dietas a base de milho contendo níveis de inclusão de farelo do mesocarpo do babaçu e uma dieta padrão a base de milho), cada uma com cinco repetições. As dietas isonitrogenadas apresentam relação volumoso/concentrado de 20/80. O aumento do nível de inclusão do FMB na dieta reduziu o peso de abate e de carcaça de 488,4 e 242,2 kg para 454,0 e 226,7 kg, respectivamente. A espessura de gordura subcutânea, conformação e peso do traseiro especial reduziram, respectivamente, 38,8; 13,6 e 9% pelo aumento do nível de farelo do mesocarpo de babaçu na dieta. As características da carne não foram alteradas pelos níveis de inclusão de farelo do mesocarpo de babaçu na dieta. Não foi verificada diferença, pela análise de contrastes, entre as dietas com farelo do mesocarpo do babaçu e as dietas com milho ou milheto, ou entre as dietas a base de milho ou milheto para as características de carcaça e carne avaliadas. A inclusão de farelo do mesocarpo do babaçu em dietas a base de grão de milheto deveconsiderar a relação custo/benefício, pois promove queda do peso de abate e de carcaça apesar de nãoalterar as principais características da carne. A substituição total do grão de milho pelo grão de milhetoem dietas de confinamento, por outro lado, não altera as principais características de carcaça e carne debovinos de origem leiteira.(AU)

Carcass and meat characteristics from dairy-origin steers fed with diets based on ground pearl millet grain, containing inclusion levels of babassu mesocarp meal / Características de carcaça e carne de novilhos de origem leiteira alimentados com dietas à base de grão de milheto, contendo níveis de inclusão de farelo do mesocarpo do babaçu

This study aimed to evaluate carcass and meat characteristics of feedlot-finished steers of dairy origin fed with pearl millet grain-based diets, containing inclusion levels of babassu mesocarp bran (BMB) (0, 12, 24, 36 and 48%). A total of 30 Holstein-Zebu crossbred steers with an average initial weight of 371.02 ± 27 kg were randomly divided into six groups fed with different experimental diets (five pearl millet-based diets containing inclusion levels of BMB and one standard corn-based diet). Each diet had five replications. Isonitrogenous diets had a roughage/concentrate ratio of 20/80. BMB inclusion level in the diet reduced slaughter and carcass weight from 488.4 and 242.2 kg to 454.0 and 226.7 kg, respectively. The subcutaneous fat thickness, conformation, and pistol cut weight were also reduced to 38.8, 13.6, and 9%, respectively, as the BMB inclusion level in the diet increased. Meat characteristics were not affected by BMB inclusion levels in the diet. Regarding carcass and meat characteristics, no difference was observed in the analysis of contrasts between BMB diets and corn- or millet-based diets, or between corn- or millet-based diets. The inclusion of BMB in millet-based diets should consider the cost/benefit ratio, as it reduces slaughter and carcass weight, while the main meat characteristics remain unchanged. However, total substitution of corn by millet grains in feedlot diets does not altercaracteristics of carcass and meat of dairy steers.

Objetivou-se avaliar as características da carcaça e carne de novilhos mestiços de origem leiteira terminados em confinamento com dietas a base de grãos de milheto, contendo níveis de inclusão de farelo do mesocarpo do babaçu (0, 12, 24, 36 e 48%). Foram utilizados 30 novilhos mestiços Holandês-Zebu com peso inicial médio de 371,02 ± 27 kg distribuídos aleatoriamente em seis dietas experimentais (cinco dietas a base de milho contendo níveis de inclusão de farelo do mesocarpo do babaçu e uma dieta padrão a base de milho), cada uma com cinco repetições. As dietas isonitrogenadas apresentam relação volumoso/concentrado de 20/80. O aumento do nível de inclusão do FMB na dieta reduziu o peso de abate e de carcaça de 488,4 e 242,2 kg para 454,0 e 226,7 kg, respectivamente. A espessura de gordura subcutânea, conformação e peso do traseiro especial reduziram, respectivamente, 38,8; 13,6 e 9% pelo aumento do nível de farelo do mesocarpo de babaçu na dieta. As características da carne não foram alteradas pelos níveis de inclusão de farelo do mesocarpo de babaçu na dieta. Não foi verificada diferença, pela análise de contrastes, entre as dietas com farelo do mesocarpo do babaçu e as dietas com milho ou milheto, ou entre as dietas a base de milho ou milheto para as características de carcaça e carne avaliadas. A inclusão de farelo do mesocarpo do babaçu em dietas a base de grão de milheto deveconsiderar a relação custo/benefício, pois promove queda do peso de abate e de carcaça apesar de nãoalterar as principais características da carne. A substituição total do grão de milho pelo grão de milhetoem dietas de confinamento, por outro lado, não altera as principais características de carcaça e carne debovinos de origem leiteira.