Cultural energy analyses of climatologically suitable places in Turkey for feedlot cattle production determined by using the comprehensive climate index model

Abstract Text: The objective of this study was to conduct cultural energy analyses on feedlot cattle production in Turkey. The comprehensive climate index (CCI) model was used to predict dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain and feed efficiency of feedlot cattle in 15 locations in Turkey.  CCI enables one to quantify beef cattle performance for a number of breeds based on environmental conditions (temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, solar radiation) at any time in the year. Since mostly dairy breed calves are placed into the feedlot in Turkey, the Holstein (dairy breed) option in CCI was chosen to calculate the maintenance energy requirement.  Based on previous feedlot feeding studies conducted in Turkey, it was assumed that calves would be placed on feed at 250 kg and be marketed at 520 kg, diet would have 2600 kcal/kg metabolic energy and would have dry matter intake of 2,31% of the body weight. It was assumed that cattle would receive 2 kg/day straw, and the concentrate mixture would consist of 52.65 % barley, 26% corn, 19% cotton seed meal, 1.5% limestone, 0.25% vitamin, 0.5% salt and 0.1% mineral. Cultural energy (CE) inputs were calculated by multiplying amount of input and their corresponding cultural energy based on values from existing literature. Cultural energy used for feed was derived from dry matter intake of cattle and corresponding values for each feed ingredient. Transportation energy was also included in the analysis; including costs for shipping calves from animal market to the farm, shipping yearlings to slaughterhouse and shipping feed ingredients to the farm. Cultural energy expended for feed comprised more than half of the total cultural energy and differed among cities (P < 0.05). CE for feed was highest for the coldest places and lowest for hot locations. Cultural energy on transportation constituted the second highest CE expenditure. Cultural energy expended per kg liveweight gain (defined as total cultural energy expended divided by kg liveweight gain) was highest for the coldest location and lowest for relatively hotter cities (P<0.05). Cultural energy use efficiency (defined by kcal input/kcal output) followed the feed efficiency ranking with cattle having better feed efficiency also have better cultural energy use efficiency. Results showed that cattle having higher average daily gain did not mean that they would also have better cultural energy use efficiency.

Keywords: Comprehensive climate index, cultural energy, feedlot, beef cattle