Interactions of shade and feeding management on feedlot performance of crossbred steers during seasonal periods of high ambient temperature
Por:
Barajas R., Garces P., Zinn R.A.
Publicada:
1 ene 2013
Resumen:
Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of shade and feeding management on performance of crossbred steers during periods of high ambient temperature. Exp. 1 evaluated the influence of shade (0 vs. 3.3 m2/steer) on growth performance and dietary NE. Air temperature and humidity averaged 29.7 °C and 44%, respectively. Shade improved DMI (6%, P<0.10) and ADG (9%, P<0.05). Exp. 2 and 3 evaluated the interaction of shade (0 vs. 2.4 m2/steer) and feeding schedule (providing 70% of DMI at 0630 vs. 1430 h). Air temperature and humidity for both studies averaged 31 °C and 41%. In Exp. 2, providing shade increased (P<0.05) DM and water intake (5 and 30%, respectively). There were interactions (P<0.05) between shade and feeding schedule on ADG, gain efficiency, and dietary NE. In the absence of shade, providing 70% of DMI in the afternoon increased ADG (22%), gain efficiency (14%), and dietary NE (6%). However, in the presence of shade, feeding schedule did not affect cattle performance or dietary NE. In Exp. 3, providing shade increased ADG (14%, P<0.10), gain efficiency (10%, P<0.05), and dietary NE (6%; P<0.05). Providing 70% of DMI in the afternoon did not affect (P>0.20) ADG but increased (4%, P<0.10) dietary NE. It is concluded that both provision of shade and management of feeding schedule are effective tools for improving growth-performance and efficiency of energy use in feedlot cattle. © 2013 American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists.
Filiaciones:
Barajas R.:
Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacán, Sinaloa, 80000, Mexico
Garces P.:
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, MX, 04510, Mexico
Zinn R.A.:
Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, 95616, United States
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