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1278
Winter climate variables and their effect on feed intake in Bos taurus bulls

Wednesday, July 20, 2016: 2:30 PM
151 E/F (Salt Palace Convention Center)
Rachel C Pauling , Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Scott E. Speidel , Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Milton G. Thomas , Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Miranda M. Culbertson , Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
R. Kraig Peel , Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
R. M. Enns , Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Audio File Recorded Presentation (mp4)
Abstract Text:

In beef cattle, there are numerous factors that influence feed intake such as breed composition, ration formulation, and body size.   Additionally, an animal’s intake could be influenced by many different environmental factors such as weather and climate factors. It is hypothesized that animal intake is influenced by weather events, specifically daily temperature difference (TDIFF) and average daily wind speed (WSPD), experienced prior and up to a feeding event, however there is limited research on the affects of these variables on feed intake. Therefore the objective of this study was to determine if average daily pen DMI (ADMI) were significantly influenced by changes in weather during winter months.  Feed intake observations were collected from a total of 158 Bos taurus bulls from 3 different sources that were separated into pens (n=5), with pen allocation based on source and BW.  Feed intake observations were collected for approximately 70 d from December through February.  Climate and feed intake data were obtained from the Colorado State University Agricultural Research, Development and Education Center.  The distance between the weather station and the feed intake unit was approximately 5 km.  The independent variable TDIFF was defined as the difference between the daily maximum temperature and minimum temperature.  The effects of pen, WSPD, and TDIFF were evaluated for their influence on ADMI using a generalized linear model.  This regression was performed for the intake observation day (d0), as well as every day up to 4 days prior to d0.  Pen was included in the model to account for differences in cattle’s breed, size and pen location.  The model results suggested that TDIFF was significant (P < 0.0001) on d0, as well as 1, 2, and 3 days prior to d0.  WSPD was shown to be significant 2  (P < 0.0003) and 4 (P < 0.0001) days prior to d0. Model R2
 was shown to be the greatest 2 days prior to d0 (0.55).   These results suggest that differences in a bull’s DMI are influenced by weather changes occurring 2 days prior to the intake day during winter months.  Better understanding of climate variables effect on feed intake in beef cattle could potentially lead to more accurate evaluations of differences of feed efficiency in beef cattle in the future.

Keywords: beef cattle, feed intake, winter climate

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