Effects of Aspergillus oryzae prebiotic on animal performance, nutrients digestibility, and feeding behavior of backgrounding beef heifers fed with either a sorghum silage- or a byproducts-based diet.

Eighty-four Angus crossbred heifers (13 ± 1 mo of age, 329.5 ± 61.92 kg of body weight [BW]) were used in a generalized randomized block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The factors evaluated were: 1) diet type (whole plant sorghum silage [SS] vs. byproducts-based [BP]), and 2) feed additive: Aspergillus oryzae prebiotic (AOP; 2 g/d) vs. Negative control (CTL; 0 g/d), resulting in four treatments: sorghum silage-control (SC), sorghum silage-AOP (SA), byproducts-control (BC), and byproducts-AOP (BA). Heifers were stratified by body weight (BW), randomly assigned to treatments (21 heifers per treatment) and housed in 12 pens equipped with two GrowSafe feed bunks each to measure individual dry matter intake (DMI). After a 14-d adaptation, BW was measured every 14 d for 56 d. Chewing activity was monitored through collar-mounted HR-Tags (heat-related tags). Following the performance period, apparent total tract digestibility was measured in 40 heifers, using indigestible neutral detergent fiber as a marker. Heifers fed with the BP diets had greater DMI (2.92% vs. 2.59% of BW, P < 0.01) and average daily gain (ADG; 1.16 vs. 0.68 kg, P ≤ 0.01) than heifers fed with SS diets. Compared with BP-fed animals, heifers consuming the SS diets had 23 more visits/d to the feed bunks (P ≤ 0.01), consumed 53% less dry matter on each visit (P ≤ 0.01), and spent 39% more min chewing/d and 63% more min chewing/kg of DMI (P ≤ 0.01). However, chewing measured in min/kg of neutral detergent fiber intake was not affected by treatment (average 111.3 min/kg of NDF intake). Feeding AOP improved gain:feed (GF) by 15% in BP-fed heifers (0.120 vs. 0.104 kg/kg; P < 0.05). Inclusion of AOP increased organic matter digestibility (OMD) in SS diets (55.88% vs. 49.83%; P < 0.01), whereas it decreased OMD in BP diets (61.67% vs. 65.77%; P < 0.05). In conclusion, ADG and GF of BP-fed heifers was greater than SS-fed heifers, and GF was greater with AOP supplementation in BP-fed heifers. Improvement in GF in BP-fed heifers was likely not related to differences in nutrient digestibility as AOP inclusion did not enhance digestibility in the BP diet. Additionally, the effects of the AOP inclusion appear to be diet-dependent, where the 15% improvement in GF by AOP occurred in heifers fed with the more fermentable diet. Therefore, further research should explore the mechanisms responsible for the observed improvements in growth performance when feeding AOP to BP-fed heifers.

This experiment evaluated the effects of the dietary inclusion or not of Aspergillus oryzae prebiotic (AOP; 2 g/d) in two contrasting diets: sorghum silage-based (SS) vs. byproducts-based (BP), on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and feeding behavior of growing heifers. A total of 84 Angus crossbred heifers were used in the study. Heifers fed with the BP diets had greater feed intake, average daily gain, and final body weight. In addition, heifers fed with the BP diets had reduced number of visits to the feed bunk but consumed more in each visit than heifers fed with the SS diets. Additionally, heifers fed with the BP diets had lesser chewing activity measured in total min/d and in min/kg of dry matter intake; however, chewing activity measured in min/kg of neutral detergent fiber was not influenced by treatments. The inclusion of AOP increased the gain:feed ratio by 15% in heifers fed with the BP diet but did not influence this variable in the SS diet. The inclusion of AOP increased nutrient digestibility in heifers fed with the SS diet and decreased nutrient digestibility in heifers fed with the BP diet. These results show that feeding AOP can enhance growth performance in beef heifers in a diet-dependent manner.

Polyclonal antibody preparations from avian origin as a feed additive to beef cattle: ruminal fermentation during the step-up transition diets.

This study investigated the effects of feeding an avian-derived polyclonal antibody preparation (PAP; CAMAS, Inc.) against Streptococcus bovis, Fusobacterium necrophorum, and lipopolysaccharides (40%, 35%, and 25% of the preparation, respectively) on ruminal fermentation [pH, ammonia-N (NH3-N), lactate, and volatile fatty acids (VFA)] of beef steers during a 21-d step-up diet adaptation. Eight ruminally cannulated Angus crossbred beef steers (658 ± 79 kg of body weight) were assigned in a crossover design to be transitioned from a diet containing ad libitum bermudagrass hay [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] plus 0.45 kg/d (as fed) of molasses with 0 (CON) or 3 g of PAP (PAP) to a high-grain diet. Transition consisted of three 7-d steps of increased inclusion of cracked corn (35%, 60%, and 82% of the diet DM for STEP1, STEP2, and STEP3, respectively). On each transition day and 7 d after STEP3 (STEP3-7d), ruminal fluid samples were obtained every 3 h for 24 h. Feeding 3 g of PAP daily increased (P < 0.01) average ruminal pH during STEP3 compared with CON steers (5.6 vs. 5.4 ± 0.05, respectively). During STEP1, NH3-N concentration was greater (P < 0.01; 9.4 vs. 6.8 ± 0.74 mM, respectively), and time (min/d) and area (time × pH) of ruminal pH below or equal to 5.2 was lesser (P ≤ 0.03) for steers consuming PAP compared with steers assigned to CON treatment (33.4 vs. 73.3 ± 21.7 min/d and 187.4 vs. 406.3 ± 119.7 min × pH/d, respectively). Steers consuming PAP had greater acetate:propionate ratio at 0, 3, and 6 h relative to diet change compared with CON (2.42, 2.35, 2.29 vs. 1.66, 1.79, and 1.72 ± 0.17, respectively), whereas butyrate molar proportions increased (P = 0.02; 17.1 vs. 11 ± 1.58 mol/100 mol for CON and PAP, respectively) when PAP was not fed at STEP2. Total ruminal lactate concentrations were not affected by PAP feeding (P > 0.11). In conclusion, feeding 3 g/d of polyclonal antibody preparation against S. bovis, F. necrophorum, and lipopolysaccharides was effective in increasing ruminal pH, A:P ratio, and NH3-N concentrations, possibly attenuating the risks of ruminal acidosis in steers during the step-up transition from forage to high-grain diets.

Impacts of polyclonal antibody preparations from avian origin on nutrient digestibility and performance of backgrounding beef cattle.

This study evaluated the effects of feeding an avian-derived polyclonal antibody preparation (PAP; CAMAS, Inc.) against Streptococcus bovis, Fusobacterium necrophorum, and lipopolysaccharides (LPS; 40%, 35%, and 25% of the preparation, respectively) on growth performance (Exp. 1) and apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients (Exp. 2) of beef cattle consuming a backgrounding diet. In Exp. 1, Angus crossbred heifers (n = 70; 360 ± 24 kg of initial body weight; BW) and steers (n = 20; 386 ± 24 kg of BW) were used in a generalized randomized block design. Heifers and steers were allocated to 1 of 18 concrete-surfaced pens (6 pens per treatment) to receive a common ad libitum diet (35% cottonseed hulls, 34% dry-rolled corn, and 20% corn gluten pellets; 15.9% crude protein on a dry matter [DM] basis, 1.58 Mcal/kg DM of net energy [NE] of maintenance, and 0.98 Mcal/kg DM of NE of gain) and 1 of the 3 treatments consisting of feeding 1 (PAP1), 3 (PAP3), or 0 g (CON) of PAP per day for 56 d. Feed intake was recorded daily and BW was obtained on days -1, 0, 14, 28, 42, 55, and 56 to assess average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI), and gain:feed (G:F). Plasma concentrations of glucose and haptoglobin were measured on days 0, 14, 28, 42, and 56. In Exp. 2, 25 Angus crossbreed steers (390 ± 24 kg BW) were used in a completely randomized design to receive the same diet and treatments from Exp. 1 (CON: n = 8; PAP1: n = 9; and PAP3: n = 8). Following a 14-d adaptation to diets, feed and fecal samples were collected to determine apparent total tract nutrient digestibility. In Exp. 1, overall BW, DMI, ADG, G:F, and plasmatic measurements did not differ among treatments over the 56-d period (P ≥ 0.16). However, from days 0 to 14, a quadratic effect was observed for ADG, in which cattle receiving PAP1 had greater (P = 0.04) ADG compared with CON. In Exp. 2, no difference in DMI was observed (P = 0.88), yet DM, organic matter, neutral and acid detergent fiber, and starch digestibility were least (P ≤ 0.05) for PAP3, whereas digestibility of neutral detergent fiber was greatest (P < 0.01) for PAP1. In summary, feeding 1 g/d of a PAP against S. bovis, F. necrophorum, and LPS improved growth performance in the first 14 d and increased fiber digestibility of beef cattle consuming a backgrounding diet. Further research is needed to understand the impaired responses on nutrient digestibility when greater doses are provided.

Impacts of polyclonal antibody preparations from avian origin as a feed additive to beef cattle: immune responses during the step-up transition diets.

This study investigated the effects of feeding an avian-derived polyclonal antibody preparation (PAP; CAMAS, Inc.) against Streptococcus bovis, Fusobacterium necrophorum, and lipopolysaccharides (LPS; 40%, 35%, and 25% of the preparation, respectively) on immune responses (haptoglobin [Hp], serum amyloid A [SAA], rectal temperature [RT], leukocyte counts, and expression of cell adhesion molecules cluster of differentiation [CD] CD11b, CD14, and CD62L) of beef steers during a 21-d step-up adaptation to a high-grain diet. Eight ruminally cannulated Angus crossbred beef steers (658 ± 79 kg of BW) were assigned in a cross-over design and transitioned from a diet containing bermudagrass hay (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) ad libitum plus 0.45 kg/d of molasses with 0 (CON) or 3 g of PAP to a high-grain diet. Transition consisted of three 7-d steps of increased inclusion of cracked corn (35%, 60%, and 82% of the diet dry matter for STEP1, STEP2, and STEP3, respectively). On each transition day and 7 d after STEP3 (STEP3-7d), RT was obtained every 3 h for a total of 24 h, whereas blood was collected on days 0, 1, and 3, relative to diet transition. There were no effects of PAP inclusion in any of the blood parameters (P > 0.11). However, a tendency for day effect (P = 0.10) was observed for concentrations of Hp, which were greater on days 3 and 7 vs. day 0 relative to the second diet transition (STEP2). Plasma concentrations of SAA were greater on days 1, 3, and 7 compared to day 0 during STEP1 (P = 0.01), while during STEP2 and STEP3, SAA concentrations increased (P < 0.01) from day 0 to 3. During STEP2, PAP steers tended to have lower (P = 0.08) RT than CON steers. Neutrophil and monocyte counts were the least during STEP3 (P < 0.01), whereas expression of CD11b and CD62L was the least through forage feeding (P < 0.01). Concentration of starch in the diet was correlated to all the variables tested (P ≤ 0.01), except for the percentage of B cells (P = 0.22). Yet only ruminal pH, RT, monocyte, and neutrophil counts presented strong correlation coefficients. In conclusion, the step-up transition from forage to high-grain diets triggered systemic inflammation in beef steers as observed by increased plasma concentrations of Hp, SAA, and expression on adhesion molecules in leukocytes. However, feeding polyclonal antibody preparations against S. bovis, F. necrophorum, and LPS did not provide benefits to mitigate inflammation.

Effects of providing artificial shade to pregnant grazing beef heifers on vaginal temperature, growth, activity, and behavior.

This experiment evaluated the effects of providing artificial shade during summer on activity, behavior, and growth performance of pregnant grazing beef heifers. Thirty-six black-hided Angus and Angus crossbred pregnant heifers [418 ± 9 kg body weight (BW); approximately 90 d of gestation] were stratified by breed, blocked by BW, and allocated to 12 "Pensacola" bahiagrass pastures (Paspalum notatum Flüggé; 1.3 ha, n = 3 heifers/pasture) with or without access to artificial shade (SHADE vs. NO SHADE; 6 pastures each) for 7 wk during summer. The shade structures were composed of shade cloth (11 × 7.3 m length, 2.4 m height: 26.8 m2 of shade per heifer). Shrunk BW was recorded on enrollment (day 0) and week 7 (day 47), whereas full BW was obtained on week 2 (day 14), 4 (day 28), and 6 (day 42) to assess average daily gain (ADG). Vaginal temperature was recorded for five consecutive days during weeks 1, 3, 5, and 7 using an intravaginal digital thermo-logger, and individual GPS devices were used to quantify the use of shade for an 8-h period. Activity was monitored using automated monitoring devices (HR-LDn tags SCR Engineers Ltd., Netanya, Israel) through the experimental period. Vaginal temperature was lower (P < 0.01) for heifers in the SHADE compared with heifers in the NO SHADE treatment from 1200 to 1600 h and 1100 to 1900 h for weeks 1 and 3, respectively. Heifers in the SHADE treatment spent 70% of the 8-h period evaluated under the shaded structure. Provision of shade increased (P < 0.01) daily lying time (11.4 ± 0.2 vs. 10.3 ± 0.2 h/d) and standing bouts per day (P < 0.01; 12.6 ± 0.4 vs. 10.8 ± 0.4 bouts/d), whereas it reduced (P < 0.01) standing bout duration (61.6 ± 3.0 vs. 82.9 ± 3.0 min/bout) relative to heifers without access to shade. The interaction between treatment and hour affected (P < 0.01) daily rumination time because heifers with access to SHADE had greater rumination between 1000 and 1200 h. Although ADG tended (P = 0.08) to be greater for the heifers in the SHADE treatment (0.20 vs. -0.02 kg, respectively), the access to shade did not (P = 0.79) affect the final BW. In conclusion, providing artificial shade during summer to pregnant grazing beef heifers was effective in reducing vaginal temperatures and exerted changes in heifer behaviors that translated into slight improvements in growth performance.

Prenatal immune stimulation alters the postnatal acute phase and metabolic responses to an endotoxin challenge in weaned beef heifers.

This study evaluated whether administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at each trimester of gestation would alter the acute phase (APR) and metabolic responses to a postnatal LPS challenge in weaned heifers. Pregnant crossbred multiparous cows (n = 50) were randomized into prenatal immune stimulation (PIS; n = 24; administered 0.1 µg/kg BW LPS subcutaneously at 71 ± 2, 170 ± 2 and 234 ± 2 d of gestation) and saline (CON; n = 26) groups. From these treatment groups, heifer calves (n = 12 PIS and 11 CON) were identified at weaning (244 ± 3 d of age) to receive an LPS challenge. On d 0, heifers were fitted with vaginal temperature (VT) devices, jugular catheters, and moved into individual stalls. On d 1, heifers were challenged i.v. with LPS (0.5 µg/kg BW) at 0 h. Blood samples were collected and sickness behavior scores (SBS) recorded at 0.5 h intervals from -2 to 8 h and at 24 h relative to LPS challenge. Serum was analyzed for cortisol, cytokines, glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and serum urea nitrogen (SUN) concentrations. Baseline VT was lesser in PIS heifers from -11 to -5 h pre-LPS (treatment × time: P < 0.01) compared to the CON; however, the post-LPS VT response did not differ between treatments (P = 0.89). There was a treatment × time interaction (P < 0.01) for SBS with PIS heifers having lesser SBS from 0.5 to 2 h post-LPS compared to CON. There was a treatment × time interaction (P = 0.03) for cortisol with PIS heifers having greater cortisol at 0.5, 3, 3.5, 5.5 and 6.5 h post-LPS compared to CON. There were treatment × time interactions for the post-LPS cytokine responses (P ≤ 0.05). Specifically, PIS heifers had greater TNF-α from 1.5 to 2 h, yet less TNF-α at 3 h than CON (P < 0.01), and PIS heifers had greater IFN-γ from 3.5 to 5.5 h post-LPS than CON (P < 0.01). In contrast, IL-6 was less in PIS than CON heifers from 1.5 to 8 h post-LPS (P < 0.001). Glucose concentrations were greater in PIS heifers at -1 h, but less at 2, 3 and 5.5 h compared to CON (treatment × time: P < 0.01). Serum NEFA concentrations were greater (P = 0.04) in PIS than CON heifers. There was a treatment × time interaction (P < 0.01) for SUN with PIS heifers having greater SUN concentrations at -2, -1.5, 2, 3, 6.5 and 24 h than CON. These data demonstrate that in utero exposure to multiple low doses of endotoxin has lasting physiological and immunological effects when the offspring encounter a similar postnatal immunological insult.

Characterization of dietary protein in Brassica carinata meal when used as a protein supplement for beef cattle consuming a forage-based diet.

As a novel oilseed crop in Florida, Brassica carinata has the capacity of producing high-quality jet biofuel, with a protein-dense meal (~40% crude protein; CP) obtained as a by-product of oil extraction. Characterization of the meal protein is limited, yet necessary for formulation of beef cattle diets; therefore, the objective of this experiment was to determine ruminal and postruminal digestibility of protein from B. carinata. Eight ruminally cannulated Angus crossbred steers (473 ± 119 kg) were used in a duplicated 4 × 4 Latin square design, in which in situ ruminal and postruminal degradability of nutrients were evaluated. The three-step in vitro procedure was used to compare CP and amino acid (AA) degradation in B. carinata meal pellets (BCM) with that of cottonseed meal (CSM), dry distillers grains with solubles (DDGS), and soybean meal (SBM). In situ bags were incubated in the rumen for 0 to 96 hr, with the undegraded supplement remaining after 16 hr subjected to serial in vitro enzymatic solutions. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Ruminal rate of degradation of dry matter, organic matter, and CP was greatest (P ˂ 0.01; 10.9, 11.3, and 11.5 %/h, respectively) for SBM. Rumen degradable protein (RDP) content did not differ (P = 0.20; 47.8% and 55.1%, respectively) between CSM and DDGS, but was decreased (P ˂ 0.01) compared with SBM and BCM, which did not differ (P = 0.99; 72.3% and 71.8% RDP, respectively). Compared with DDGS, SBM had greater (P < 0.01) intestinal digestibility of rumen undegradable protein (RUP). Intestinally absorbable digestible protein (IADP) was greatest (P < 0.01) for CSM, with SBM and BCM having the least IADP. Total tract digestibility of CP (TTDP) was greater (P < 0.01) for SBM compared with CSM and DDGS. The contribution of RUP to intestinally absorbable AA was 7.2 and 3.1 g of lysine and methionine per kilogram of CP in BCM, respectively. The evaluation of B. carinata meal as protein supplemented for cattle consuming a forage-based diet resulted in 71.8% RDP and 97.1% TTDP, thus indicating its viability as a high-quality protein supplement for beef cattle.

Evaluation of Brassica carinata meal as a protein supplement for growing beef heifers1,2.

Brassica carinata is a new oilseed crop in Florida with the potential of producing high-quality jet biofuel. A high-protein meal (~40% crude protein; CP) is obtained as a byproduct of oil extraction; however, limited research is available on the utilization of this meal as a protein supplement for beef cattle. A generalized randomized block design was used to evaluate the effects of supplementation with B. carinata meal pellets on performance and attainment of puberty in growing beef heifers consuming bermudagrass hay (Cynodon dactylon) ad libitum. Sixty-four Angus crossbred heifers (240 ± 39 kg initial body weight; BW) were stratified and blocked (2 blocks: light and heavy) by initial BW and randomly allocated into 18 pens over 2 consecutive years (10 in year 1 and 8 in year 2). Within block, pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: 0 (CTL) or 0.3% of BW/d (as fed) of B. carinata meal pellets (BCM). Blood samples and BW were collected weekly for 70 d, before daily supplementation. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS with repeated measures. Model included the fixed effects of treatment, day, treatment × day interactions, block, and block × treatment interactions, with the random effect of year. Plasma was analyzed for concentrations of progesterone, triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), ceruloplasmin (Cp), and haptoglobin (Hp). An effect of treatment was observed (P ˂ 0.01) for ADG between CTL (0.14 kg) and BCM (0.42 kg). There was no treatment or block (P > 0.05) effect for concentrations of T3, T4, or Hp; however, there was an effect of day (P < 0.01) for T3, T4, and Cp. An effect of treatment (P ˂ 0.01) was observed for Cp, with CTL having greater concentrations compared with BCM. Time to attainment of puberty did not differ (P = 0.93) between treatments. Feeding B. carinata meal as a protein supplement at 0.3% of BW/d is a viable option for increasing ADG of growing beef heifers, without affecting attainment of puberty, thyroid hormone status, or eliciting an acute phase response.

Evaluation of Brassica carinata meal on ruminant metabolism and apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients in beef steers1,2.

Brassica carinata is a new oilseed crop with the potential of producing high-quality jet biofuel. A high-protein meal (~40% crude protein) is obtained as a byproduct of hexane-solvent oil extraction; however, limited research is available on the use of this meal as a protein supplement for beef cattle. A duplicated 4 × 4 Latin square design was used to determine the effects of supplementation with B. carinata meal on ruminal fermentation, digestibility, and blood metabolites in beef cattle consuming bahiagrass hay (Paspalum notatum Flüggé), compared with frequently used protein supplements. Eight Angus crossbred steers (473 ± 119 kg initial BW) were randomly allocated to 8 pens, over 4 periods of 28-d each. Within period, steers were assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: 1) 1.62 kg/d cottonseed meal (CSM); 2) 2.15 kg/d dry distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS); 3) 1.39 kg/d B. carinata meal pellets (BCM); or 4) 1.17 kg/d soybean meal (SBM), supplemented daily, on an isonitrogenous basis. Steers had ad libitum access to bahiagrass hay and water. Intake was measured using the GrowSafe system. Following a 14-d adaptation, feed and fecal samples were collected to determine apparent total tract nutrient digestibility using indigestible NDF as an internal marker. Blood and ruminal fluid samples were collected before providing the protein supplements and then every 3 h, during a 24-h period, to analyze urea nitrogen (PUN) and glucose in plasma, as well as ruminal pH, ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), and VFA concentrations. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS with repeated measures. Model included the fixed effects of treatment, time, treatment × time, square, and period, and the random effects of steer(square) and steer(treatment). No effect of treatment (P > 0.05) was observed for pH, NH3-N, or glucose concentration. An effect of treatment (P < 0.01) was observed for PUN, with steers receiving SBM having greater concentrations. A treatment × time interaction was observed (P < 0.05) for total VFA concentration, acetate to propionate ratio, and molar proportions of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and valerate. Steers consuming SBM had greater molar proportions of branched-chain VFA (P < 0.01) compared with CSM and DDGS. There was no effect of treatment (P > 0.05) on intake or apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients. Brassica carinata performed similarly to commonly used protein supplements indicating its viability as a protein supplement for beef cattle.

Effect of inclusion rate of Fermenten on performance, carcass traits, and apparent total tract digestibility of growing Angus crossbred steers.

In Phase 1 (days 0 to 56) of a two-phase experiment, 81 steers (initial BW = 189 ± 22 kg) were arranged in a generalized randomized block design, allocated to nine pens (nine steers per pen) and assigned to one of three dietary treatments. Treatments consisted of different inclusion rates of Fermenten (FER) in a backgrounding diet fed ad libitum, and were as follows: 0% (CON), 2%, or s FER in the diet DM. Steer was considered the experimental unit, and individual DMI was measured using the GrowSafe system. In Phase 2 (days 57 to 112), treatments were discontinued and steers were relocated to a paddock with free access to a common basal diet, to assess potential residual effects of FER. Effect of treatment was measured on performance, concentration of serum urea nitrogen (SUN), NEFA and glucose, and apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients. On day 56, steers fed 4% FER had lesser (P = 0.01) BW than 2% FER steers. Steers fed CON also tended (P = 0.08) to have greater BW than 4% FER steers. ADG was not different (P = 0.96) between CON and 2% FER steers, whereas steers in the 4% FER treatment had lesser (P ≤ 0.01) ADG than CON and 2% FER. Steers in the 4% FER treatment had lesser (P = 0.04) DMI than CON, and were less feed efficient (P ≤ 0.04) than 2% FER and CON steers. However, DMI as a percentage of the BW did not differ (P = 0.07) across treatments. A treatment effect was observed for final BW on day 112 (P = 0.05), where 4% FER tended (P = 0.07) to have lesser BW than CON. In Phase 2, ADG was not different (P = 0.18) among treatments. However, overall ADG (days 0 to 112) was lesser (P = 0.02) for steers fed 4% FER when compared with CON. There was no difference (P ≥ 0.12) in longissimus muscle area gain or 12th rib fat depth gain. There was a treatment × day interaction for serum concentrations of glucose (P < 0.001), NEFA (P < 0.001), and SUN (P < 0.001). Steers fed 4% FER had greater (P < 0.001) DM, OM, NDF, ADF, and CP apparent total tract digestibility than CON. Similarly, 4% FER steers had greater (P ≤ 0.02) DM, OM, NDF, and ADF digestibility than 2% FER. Results show that although inclusion of FER increased apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients, DMI and overall performance of growing beef cattle were negatively affected, mainly when FER was included at 4% of the diet DM.

Effects of gradual reduction in frequency of energy supplementation on growth and immunity of beef steers.

This study evaluated the effects of gradual reduction in frequency of energy supplementation following vaccination on growth and measurements of innate and humoral immunity of beef steers. At 14-d postweaning (d 0), Angus steers (n = 42; 200 ± 5 kg of BW; 175 ± 4 d of age) were stratified by BW and age, and randomly assigned into 1 of 14 drylot pens (three steers/pen). From d 0 to 42, steers were provided ad libitum ground tall fescue hay (57% TDN, 13% CP of DM basis) and supplemented with concentrate at 1% of BW (50:50 soybean hulls and corn gluten feed; 71% TDN, 15% CP of DM basis). Treatments were randomly assigned to pens, and consisted of similar weekly concentrate DM supplementation (1% of BW multiplied by 7 d) that was divided and offered daily from d 0 to 42 (7X; 4 pens), 3 times weekly from d 0 to 42 (3X; Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; 5 pens), or daily from d 0 to 15 and then 3 times weekly from d 16 to 42 (7-3X; 5 pens). Steers were vaccinated against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), parainfluenza-3 (PI-3), Mannheimia haemolytica, and Clostridium on d 0 and 15. Individual shrunk BW was collected on d 0 and 42, following 12 h of feed and water withdrawal. Blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture 4 h after concentrate supplementation on d 0, 1, 2, 3, 7, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, and 42. Mean BW, ADG, G:F, hay DMI, and total DMI over the 42-d period did not differ among treatments (P ≥ 0.26). Plasma concentrations of cortisol and mean serum BVDV-1a titers also did not differ among treatments (P ≥ 0.35), but overall plasma haptoglobin concentrations were greater for 3X vs. 7-3X and 7X steers (P ≤ 0.05; 0.44, 0.37, and 0.33 ± 0.026 mg/mL, respectively). Also, 3X steers had less mean serum IBR titers (P ≤ 0.05; 0.29 vs. 0.88 and 0.79 ± 0.179 log2, respectively) and less seroconversion to PI-3 virus on d 15 than 7-3X and 7X steers (P ≤ 0.05; 36.0 vs. 76.6 and 57.8 ± 8.24%, respectively). In summary, a gradual reduction in frequency of energy supplementation during a 42-d preconditioning period did not negatively impact growth, but alleviated indices of inflammation and prevented reductions in vaccine response against BVDV-1a and PI-3 viruses compared to steers offered concentrate 3 times weekly during the entire study.

Effects of timing of vaccination relative to weaning and post-weaning frequency of energy supplementation on growth and immunity of beef calves.

A 2 × 2 factorial design study evaluated the impact of pre- vs. post-weaning vaccination and different post-weaning frequency of energy supplementation (daily vs. 3X weekly) on growth and immunity of beef calves. At 14 d before weaning (d -14), 48 Angus calves (24 steers and 24 heifers; 244 ± 33 kg; 196 ± 20 d) were stratified by BW and age, and randomly assigned to receive vaccinations against bovine viral diarrhea virus 1a (BVDV-1a) and parainfluenza-3 (PI-3) on d -14 and 0 (PRE) or 7 and 21 (POS), relative to weaning. Calves were weaned on d 0 and offered daily concentrate DM supplementation (50:50 soybean hulls and corn gluten feed; 71% TDN, 15% CP of DM) at 0.5% of BW for 7 d. On d 7, calves were stratified by vaccination scheme and assigned into 1 of 16 drylot pens (3 calves of same sex/pen; 4 pens/treatment). Pens were randomly assigned to receive similar weekly concentrate DM supplementation (1% of BW multiplied by 7 d) that was divided and offered daily (7X) or three times weekly (3X; Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) from d 7 to 43. From d 0 to 43, calves were provided ad libitum ground tall fescue hay (57% TDN, 13% CP of DM). Blood samples were collected from jugular vein on d 0, 1, 3, 7, and 14, relative to the respective first vaccination, and on d 43 of the study. Effects of timing of vaccination × frequency of supplementation were not detected for any variable in this study (P ≥ 0.12), except for overall ADG from d -14 to 43 (P = 0.04), which was less for PRE-3X vs. PRE-7X, POS-3X, and POS-7X calves (0.60, 0.70, 0.70, and 0.77 ± 0.04 kg/d, respectively; P ≤ 0.08). Post-weaning total DMI and G:F did not differ among treatments (P ≥ 0.11). Pre-weaning vaccination increased plasma concentrations of cortisol and haptoglobin from d 0 to 3, relative to first vaccination (P ≤ 0.03), and decreased serum PI-3 titers on d 43 compared with post-weaning vaccination (P < 0.0001). Decreasing the supplementation frequency tended (P = 0.10) to increase overall plasma cortisol concentrations and reduce overall serum BVDV-1a titers. Hence, pre-weaning vaccination associated with reduced post-weaning frequency of energy supplementation caused the greatest reduction on calf growth performance. Post-weaning vaccination and daily energy supplementation alleviated inflammation and improved humoral immunity compared with pre-weaning vaccination and reduced post-weaning frequency of energy supplementation of recently weaned beef calves.