Production performance of Charolais crossbred steers fed total mixed ration containing a high level of dried cassava top.

Objective: The objectives were to determine the appropriate level of dried cassava top (DCT) in total mixed ration (TMR) based on production performance and carcass characteristics of fattening Charolais crossbred steers. Materials and Methods: Fifteen fattening Charolais crossbred steers were randomly assigned to a randomized complete block design with initial body weight to receive three treatments, including without DCT, 15% DCT, and 30% DCT in TMR, on a dry matter (DM) basis. The production trial lasted 120 days; then, the fattened steers were slaughtered to study the carcass characteristics. Results: The in vitro gas production from the immediately soluble fraction of TMR containing 30% DCT was higher than the others (p < 0.05). However, in vitro DM and organic matter degradability were not significantly different among treatments. Feed intake, final weight, feed cost per gain, and carcass characteristics such as warm carcass percentage, marbling score, and loin eye area of feedlot steers were not affected by the inclusion of DCT in TMR. Although steers fed TMR containing 15% DCT had body weight gain, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio lower than the control (p < 0.05); however, the use of DCT at 30% DM in TMR reduced the feed cost of feedlot beef production (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Using local ingredients such as cassava tops can increase profit margins for farmers without sacrificing product quality, but they must closely look at growth performance.

Protein requirement for maintenance of growing Boer crossbred doe.

The effect of protein intake on nutrient metabolism and growth performance of female ≥ 50% Boer crossbred goats was investigated, along with protein requirements for their maintenance. Sixteen does were divided into four groups that were fed different levels of crude protein relative to the level recommended for purebred Boer by NRC (2007): 85% (0.85 M), 100% (1.00 M), 115% (1.15 M), and 130% (1.30 M). The experiment was conducted with does at 4-9 months of age. Feed intake, growth rate, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, and microbial protein synthesis of the does were determined. The relationship between crude protein intake (g/kg0.75 BW) and average daily gain (g/day) was tested using linear regression. It was found that crude protein intake, average daily gain, nitrogen balance, and microbial protein supply increased with dietary crude protein. Nutrient digestibility and nitrogen excreted via urine were not affected by treatments. At 4-6 months of age, Boer crossbred does require crude protein for maintenance to be ingested and absorbed at levels of 3.81 and 1.99 g/kg0.75 BW, respectively, while at 7-9 months of age, does require 4.68 g/kg0.75 BW ingested crude protein. Overall, growing does require 4.26 g/kg0.75 BW ingested crude protein for maintenance during 4-9 months of age, which is 6.78% lower than the recommendation of NRC (2007).