Productive performance and carcass characteristics of castrated and non-castrated Beefalo-Nellore beef cattle finished in a feedlot or kept on pasture.

Beefalo is a fertile hybrid descendant of domestic cattle (Bos taurus) and American buffalo (Bison bison). Crossbred (¾Beefalo»Nellore) beef cattle raised and finished in a feedlot or on pasture were evaluated for the effect of two ages (8 and 13 months) at castration on nutrient intake, performance, and carcass characteristics. In the feedlot, they received a total diet with a roughage:concentrate ratio of 55:45, and those kept on Brachiaria decumbens pastures were supplemented at 0.8% of body weight (BW) with the same concentrate based on corn and soybean meal (17.8% CP and 73% TDN). Thirty-six crossbred (¾ Beefalo » Nellore) beef cattle with 209.2 ± 14.6 kg BW were used, which at weaning, at 8 months of age, were randomly divided into two groups, one of them destined to the feedlot system and the other group to the supplementation system on pasture. In each system (feedlot and pasture) the following treatments were distributed: castration at 8 months (at weaning, C8), castration at 13 months (C13), and non-castrated (NC), with six animals per treatment by system. All animals were slaughtered at 18 months of age. There was no significant interaction between the systems and castration ages for all variables studied. The averages of slaughter weight of feedlot animals were 475.6; 494.3 and 510.7 kg; and finished in pasture were 424.3; 428.0 and 418.7 kg for C8, C13, and NC treatments, respectively. The average subcutaneous fat thickness of the feedlot steers were 4.5, 3.5, and 1.3 mm, and for pasture-finished steers were 2.4, 1.6, and 1.8 mm for C8, C13, and NC treatments, respectively. Non-castrated animals have greater performance and carcass characteristics than castrated animals independent of the finished system. Animals non-castrated finished on Brachiaria grass pastures and slaughtered at 18 months of age require more intensive feeding management or even greater age at slaughter to obtain an ideal carcass finishing despite castration.

Prediction models of carcass characteristics from non­castrated Nellore cattle finished in the feedlot system under tropical conditions.

Our objective was to use measures of intake and productive performance to adjust prediction models for the carcass traits of non-castrated Nellore cattle finished in a feedlot. Individual data from 168 non-castrated male Nellore steers finished in feedlot between the years 2016-2021 were used. Descriptive statistical analyzes and Pearson correlation coefficients were performed. The outliers were tested by evaluating the studentized residuals in relation to the values predicted by the equations. Residues that were outside the range of -2.5 to 2.5 were removed. The goodness of fit of the developed equations was evaluated by the coefficients of determination (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE). Models for carcass yield, subcutaneous fat thickness, ribeye area, and shear force were adjusted. Means of 53.5% carcass yield, 4.8 mm subcutaneous fat thickness, 73 cm2 loin eye area, and 8.1 kg shear force were observed. The observed average intakes were 9.9 kg/day of dry matter, 3.3 kg/day of neutral detergent fiber content, 1.5 kg/day of crude protein, and 7.1 kg/day of total digestible nutrients. The average confinement time was 113 days, the average total weight gain was 152.2 kg and the average daily gain was 1.35 kg/day. Intake measures significantly correlated with shear force and subcutaneous fat thickness and ribeye area. Carcass yield was significantly correlated with total weight gain, feedlot time, and hot carcass weight. Measures of nutrient intake, performance, and confinement time can be used as predictors of carcass yield, ribeye area, fat thickness, and shear force of non-castrated Nellore cattle finished in a feedlot. The prediction equations for ribeye area, carcass yield, subcutaneous fat thickness, and shear force showed sufficient precision and accuracy for non-castrated Nellore cattle finished in confinement systems under tropical conditions. All equations can be used with caution to estimate carcass traits of cattle finished in a feedlot using measures of intake and productive performance.

Antioxidant action of yerba mate on carcass and meat characteristics and fatty acid profile in meat and fat of lambs finished in tropical pastures.

The objective was to evaluate the effect of the supplementation with natural antioxidants from Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.) on the performance, carcass and meat characteristics, and fatty acid profile in meat and fat of Texel × Ile de France lambs kept in Brachiaria-grass pasture. Twenty lambs with a mean age of 90 days and 26.3 kg of BW were distributed in a completely randomized design in two treatments with 10 replicates/treatment: Control-protein-energy supplement based on corn and soybean meal (150 g/kg DM of crude protein) without the addition of natural antioxidant yerba mate and Yerba Mate - energy protein supplement with the addition of yerba mate (110 g/kg DM). There was no treatment effect on animal performance and carcass characteristics. The subcutaneous fat thickness was significantly higher for lambs treated without yerba mate. There was no effect of nutritional treatments on the oxidative markers of lamb meat. The muscle of the animals treated with yerba mate showed a higher concentration of unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids elaidic, linolenic, thymnodonic, docosadienoic, and ceorvonic. The fat of the animals treated with yerba mate showed a higher concentration of palmitoleic acid, linoelaidic acid, heneicosanoic acid, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid, and arachidonic acid. The concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids was significantly higher in meat and fat of lambs treated with yerba mate. Including yerba mate in the diet of lambs kept on Brachiaria pastures improves the lipid profile of polyunsaturated fatty acids in meat and fat, without altering the performance of the animals.

Effects of extruded urea levels on the productive performance and carcass and meat characteristics of Nellore cattle.

Because the non-protein nitrogen sources can be an option for a ruminant diet to replace true-protein sources, we hypothesized that using extruded urea in increasing levels by reducing soybean meal in the diet can maintain or improve the productive performance of beef cattle in a feedlot. It was aimed to evaluate the effects of extruded urea levels on the productive performance and carcass and meat characteristics of Nellore steers in feedlot. Twenty-four Nellore steers, with an average age of 22 months and an average initial weight of 333.5 kg, were used. A completely randomized design was used with four treatments: 50, 60, 70, and 80 g/100 kg BW of extruded urea. There was no effect of extruded urea levels on nutrient intake. The final weight and average daily gain were adjusted by a quadratic equation, with maximum estimated values of 479.18 kg and 1.02 kg/day with the inclusion of 59.71, 54.14, and 54.16 g/100 kg BW of extruded urea, respectively. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of extruded urea levels on hot carcass weight (233.3 kg), carcass yield (53.2%), ribeye area (72.7 cm2), and subcutaneous fat thickness (5.3 mm). Likewise, there was no effect (P > 0.05) of extruded urea levels on meat chemical composition, shear force (8.9 KgF), cooking losses (28.2%), pH (5.6), and meat color parameters. We recommended the use of 70 g/100 kg BW of extruded urea in the diet for finishing Nellore steers in confinement.

The influence of protected fat in supplements on the performance and carcass characteristics of Nellore beef bulls in tropical pasture.

The finishing stages for uncastrated Nellore beef cattle on tropical pasture often produce high yielding carcasses with minimal fat cover. This study aimed to evaluate the performance and carcass characteristics of uncastrated Nellore beef bulls fed a diet containing rumen-protected fat during the rainy period for 210 days. Eighty Nellore beef bulls with 28 months of age, and an initial live weight of 416 kg ± 16 kg, were allocated into eight paddocks (7.0 ha), totaling 56 ha, at 10 animals/paddock, in a continuous-grazing system. The pasture characteristics, performance production, loin-eye area (cm2), subcutaneous fat thickness (mm), and rump fat thickness were evaluated. There was no effect (P > 0.05) on the average total weight gain (203.00 kg) and average daily gain (0.98 kg/day). On the other hand, the subcutaneous fat thickness and rump fat thickness were 42.8% and 49.5% greater, respectively, when the animals were fed a diet containing rumen-protected fat inclusion (P < 0.05). Supplementation with rumen-protected fat provided a thicker fat layer in the carcass of Nellore beef bulls grazing on tropical pasture during the rainy period.

Combinations of by-products from biodiesel production included in the supplement for finishing heifers on deferred pastures.

We hypothesized that by-products from biodiesel production like crambe meal (Crambe abyssinica) totally replace soybean meal (Glycine max) and crude glycerin could partially replace corn (Zea mays). Our aim was to evaluate different supplements with combinations of crambe meal and crude glycerin replacing soybean meal or corn on performance and carcass traits of finishing heifers. Sixty Nellore heifers 18 months old were used, and 298.96 ± 21.99 kg of body weight allotted in Brachiaria brizantha pastures. All heifers were distributed in a randomized complete block design, with four treatments being the following supplements: corn + soybean meal (CS), corn + crambe meal (CCr), corn + soybean meal + crude glycerin (CSG), corn + crambe meal + crude glycerin + (CCrG). The animals were distributed in four paddocks of 13 hectares each, in a continuous grazing system. We evaluated pasture characteristics, intake, performance, carcass traits, characteristics, and centesimal composition of Longissimus thoracis muscle. There was an effect (P < 0.05) of inclusion of crambe meal on the performance of the animals for slaughter weight and daily gain. The supplement containing corn + soybean meal (CS) presented better conversion rates and food efficiency. There was an effect of inclusion of crambe meal and crude glycerin on the centesimal composition of Longissimus thoracis muscle. The use of crambe meal and crude glycerin as alternative sources from the agro-industry of biodiesel in concentrate supplement for finishing heifers in pastures can promote positive effects related to productive performance and carcass characteristics.

Biofuel by-product can replace partially corn in supplement for Angus × Nellore heifers: productive performance and meat characteristics.

The aim of this is study was to test the hypothesis that corn can be partially replaced by crude glycerin (at a level of 50%) without affecting performance, ingestive behavior, ruminal parameters, meat composition, and fatty acids profile on the meat of heifers. Sixty-four intact plus four rumen cannulated Angus × Nellore heifers (359.0 ± 12.15 kg BW) were used. The cannulated animals received the same diets as the intact ones to determine the ruminal N-NH3 concentration, pH, and chewing activity weekly. All heifers were maintained in Brachiaria brizantha pasture and supplemented with a concentrate containing corn, soybean meal, urea, premixed minerals, and glycerin partially replacing corn. A completely randomized experimental design was used, with two treatments (corn ground or glycerin + corn ground). The inclusion of crude glycerin (high fat) decreased nutrients intake and ruminal N-NH3 concentration in the rumen but increased lipid intake. Inclusion of glycerin had no effect (P > 0.05) on ruminal pH, daily gain, performance, time spent eating, rumination, idling, or water intake. The moisture, ash, and protein contents of meat were not affected (P > 0.05) by crude glycerin intake. Crude glycerin increased saturated fatty acids (C14:0, C16:0, and C18:0) and decreased unsaturated fatty acids (C18:2n6c and C20:1) in meat. Despite the reduction in nutrient intake, we recommend crude glycerin to replace corn in concentrate because glycerin did not impair the performance, meat composition, and ruminal pH. Therefore, crude glycerin is a by-product that can partially replace corn in diets efficiently.

Lipid rich diet from sunflower seeds can alter the proportion of fatty acids on hybrid Beefalo × Nellore cattle.

We evaluated the lipid level effects in the diet on performance, carcass, and meat characteristics of forty-eight steers and heifers, F1 Beefalo (Bostaurus taurus × Bison bison hybrid) × Nellore (Bos taurus indicus), 22 months old, being 24 steers (393.2 ± 15 kg) and 24 heifers (278.4 ± 8 kg). The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design in a 4 × 2 factorial scheme (lipid levels in diet 55-, 65-, 75-, and 85-g/kg dry matter obtained by whole sunflower grain Helianthus annuus and two sexes). Increased amounts of sunflower grain in diet linearly reduce the proportion of saturated fatty acids (FA) in longissimus thoracis. Diets containing up to 85 g/kg of lipid can be used without negative effects on intake, carcass, and meat quality of Beefalo-Nellore steers and heifers and can be an effective strategy to reduce the proportion of saturated FA and increase unsaturated FA on the meat, which can be beneficial for human consumption.

Crambe meal and crude glycerin from biodiesel production in diets for finishing of crossbred cattle in feedlot.

Our hypothesis is that crambe meal can totally substitute soybean meal and crude glycerin can partially replace the corn in the diet without leading to losses of nutrient intake and productive performance. Two assays were performed using heifers and steers. In the first assay, 24 Beefalo-Nellore heifers with 18 months old with 311.5 ± 5.5 kg, and in the second assay, 24 Beefalo-Nellore steers with 18 months old with 317.0 ± 6.4 kg were evaluated. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete design, in a 2 × 2 factorial scheme, consisting of two energy sources (corn and crude glycerin) and two protein sources (soybean meal and crambe meal). Both assays had 104 experimental days of feedlot. There was no interaction between the variation sources. There was an effect of protein source on nutrient intake for heifers except to neutral detergent fiber intake, which presented effect of energy source. Heifers fed soybean meal showed higher results for total weight gain and daily weight gain. There was observed effect of energy source on rib eye area and subcutaneous fat thickness. Steers fed soybean meal showed higher neutral detergent fiber intake and non-fibrous carbohydrates. Steers fed corn + crude glycerin showed higher results for total weight gain and daily weight gain. The steers fed soybean meal showed higher averages for subcutaneous fat thickness. Crambe meal and crude glycerin can be used as alternative sources of energy and protein to replace 100% of soybean and 50% of corn, respectively, for finishing Beefalo-Nellore cattle in a feedlot.

Carcass traits and meat quality of Texel lambs raised in Brachiaria pasture and feedlot systems.

Our hypothesis suggests an improvement in carcass and meat quality of pasture-finished animals by introducing concentrate feed into diets. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different levels of protein-energy supplementation on carcass and meat characteristics of Texel lambs raised on Brachiaria pastures, and compare the results with those obtained from confined animals. Thirty 2-month-old intact lambs were divided into five treatments: pasture with mineral supplementation, pasture containing daily supplies of 0.8, 1.6, and 2.4% BW protein-energy supplementation, and confinement (reference treatment). All animals were slaughtered 104 days after the beginning of the experiment. Lambs submitted to 1.6% and 2.4% BW supplementation presented similar characteristics to animals kept in confinement and were superior to animals treated with 0 or 0.8% of BW supplementation levels (p < .05). Increases of subcutaneous fat thickness were verified for 0.0, 0.8, 1.6, 2.4% BW, and confinement treatments, being respectively of 0.25, 0.74, 1.61, 1.69, and 1.98. Conversely, treatments had no influence on meat physical-chemical characteristics, being all considered moderately soft, juicy (tender), and with mild tastes and odors. Lambs raised on Brachiaria pastures have high-quality meat, but more protein-energy supplementation is needed to be an alternative for the feedlots for young animals.