Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Effects of feeding a Bacillus-based probiotic on feed intake, performance, carcass traits, and health of crossbred beef cattle fed sodium monensin and high-moisture corn-based diets during finishing.
Lay Summary
Feedlot cattle often consume finishing diets with considerable amounts of starch (more than thirty-five percent; dry matter basis). Hence, the utilization of feed additives that support the health and performance of livestock offered these diets are paramount for the entire production system. This study evaluated the effects of feeding a Bacillus-based probiotic on feed intake, performance, health, and carcass traits of crossbred cattle consuming a high-moisture corn-based finishing diet containing sodium monensin. Animals fed Bacillus spp. gained more weight during the study, were more efficient, had heavier carcasses, and had reduced occurrence of fever. Overall, these results demonstrate the beneficial effects of feeding Bacillus spp. on performance, health, and carcass traits of feedlot
Teaser Text
Teaser Text
This study reported the benefits of Bacillus-based probiotics on performance, carcass characteristics, and health of fattening beef cattle offered a high-starch diet containing sodium
ABSTRACT. This experiment evaluated feed intake, performance, fecal nutrient concentrations, health, and carcass traits of crossbred beef cattle offered a high-moisture corn-based diet containing sodium monensin. On day zero of the study, four hundred two crossbred steers [initial body weight (BW) three hundred twenty-nine plus or minus sixty-nine point five kilograms] were blocked by BW and source into one of twenty-eight feedlot pens (fourteen to fifteen steers per pen). Within blocks, pens were assigned to high-moisture corn-based diets containing (BAC) or not (CON; n equals fourteen) Bacillus licheniformis eight zero nine and Bacillus subtilis eight one zero (two grams per steer per day; n equals fourteen). The experimental period lasted one hundred eighteen days and BAC was added to a mineral-vitamin premix, which also contained sodium monensin. Throughout the experimental period, dry matter intake was determined daily, while individual BW was obtained on days zero, thirty-five, and one hundred eighteen of the study. Based on these measurements, average daily gain (ADG) and gain to feed (GF) were also calculated. Fecal samples were collected on days twenty and seventy of the study for determination of fecal starch and nitrogen. On day one hundred twenty-two, animals were transported to a commercial slaughterhouse and carcass traits were determined. All data were analyzed with SAS (version nine point four) using pen as the experimental unit. Body weight on days thirty-five and one hundred eighteen was greater (P less than or equal to zero point zero three) for BAC vs. CON, while no changes were observed on feed intake (P greater than or equal to zero point four zero). Average daily gain was also greater for BAC from days zero to thirty-five (P equals zero point zero one) and zero to one hundred eighteen (P equals zero point zero three). Hence, GF was improved by eight point four and two point nine percent when assessed from days zero to thirty-five (P equals zero point zero three) and zero to one hundred eighteen (P equals zero point zero four), respectively. Hot carcass weight was also greater for BAC (plus three point five kilograms; P equals zero point zero five), while Biceps femoris fat thickness tended to be greater (P equals zero point zero seven) for BAC. Carcass-adjusted final BW, ADG, and GF were also greater (P less than or equal to zero point zero five) for BAC. No differences were observed on fecal starch and nitrogen (P greater than or equal to zero point four two), but fecal score tended to be greater for BAC from days thirty-five to one hundred eighteen and from days zero to one hundred eighteen (P less than or equal to zero point zero nine). No treatment effects were detected for the incidence of bovine respiratory cases (P greater than or equal to zero point one two), while overall morbidity tended to be lower (P equals zero point zero six) and fever occurrence in steers showing bovine respiratory disease was lower in steers fed BAC (P equals zero point zero four). In summary, Bacillus spp.