1891
Individual and additive value of conventional and non-conventional technologies in beef steers housed and fed using a GrowSafe® feeding system
This study evaluated the effects of conventional and non-conventional production technologies in cattle. Animals (384 steers, 1101 ± 63 lb.) were utilized in an RCBD. Non-conventional production (NCP) included non medicated supplement and; NCP1:DFM (Sage Biosciences Inc., Edmonton, Alberta); NCP2: enzyme (Sage Biosciences Inc., Edmonton, Alberta); NCP3: Oleobiotec® Ruminant (Oleo; Laboratoires Phodé, Terssac, France); NCP4: DFM, enzyme and Oleo. Blended production (BP) systems included BP1: supplement with Rumensin® and Tylan® (Elanco Animal Health, Guelph, Ontario), DFM, enzyme, and Optaflexx® (Elanco Animal Health) for the last 28 d; BP2: supplement with Rumensin, Tylan, DFM, enzyme, Oleo, and Optaflexx (last 28 days). Controls included a negative control (NEG): non-medicated supplement; and conventional production (CP): supplement with Rumensin, Tylan, and Optaflexx for the last 28 d. Animals were randomized within each production system to receive an implant (Component® TE-S with Tylan (Elanco Animal Health), parasiticide (Dectomax®; Zoetis Canada, Kirkland, Québec), both, or neither. Cattle were fed an average of 91 d and individual DMI were measured using GrowSafe® (GrowSafe Systems Ltd., Airdrie, Alberta). Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure (SAS Institute Inc, Cary, North Carolina). Carcass adjusted ADG was improved (P < 0.05) in the NCP3, BP1,BP2 and CP groups over the NEG cattle. Carcass adjusted G:F improved (P < 0.05) in the NCP3, NCP4, BP1, BP2, and CP treatments over the NEG cattle. No differences (P < 0.05) were detected in carcass characteristics or animal health variables. Live and carcass adjusted ADG and G:F were improved in implanted animals vs. non-implanted animals (P < 0.001). Carcasses of implanted animals were less likely (P < 0.05) to grade Canada AAA and more likely to grade Canada AA than non-implanted animals. No performance or carcass differences were noted (P > 0.05) for parisiticide treatments. No interactions (P > 0.05) were observed between dietary program,implant, or parisiticide and no differences (P > 0.05) in animal health were detected for any treatments. The results of this study indicate that Oleo has potential to improve the performance of beef steers but not to the same extent as conventional production practices.
Keywords: feedlot, cattle, technology