Abstract Beef cattle can have different feed intake behavior based upon breed, body composition, temperament, and intake performance characteristics based upon their sex. Dry matter intake (DMI) is a limiting factor to beef finishing capabilities regardless of breed or sex. Beef finishing operations are extending their days on feed (DOF) to maximize carcass production in relation to low feed costs, cattle value, and cattle supply. To date, a dearth of information exists regarding the differences between British and Continental cattle related to on-feed intake behavior. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between breed composition and sex on feed intake behavior of beef cattle, finished at different DOF. Breeds evaluated were Angus 100% (Angus, “AA”), Angus 75% Limousin 25% (Limflex, “LF”), and Angus 50% Limousin 50% (Limousin, “LM”). Steers and heifers were fed for 200, 235, and 270 DOF. A total of 218 animals were enrolled (∼36 animals for each sex by breed combination) in the study. A meal was defined as any sequence of visits to the bunk less than 7 minutes apart. Intake was assessed per day, per meal, and per minute of eating. Time at the bunk was recorded on a per-day and per-meal basis. No interactions between breed and sex were observed for any of the parameters evaluated (P 0.10). No differences were observed in time eating, either per day (mean 56.7 min/d) or per meal (mean 12.0 min/meal). Steers had fewer meals than heifers (P = 0.03; 4.68 vs. 4.86 meals/d, respectively). Yet, steers had greater intake than heifers (P 0.01), measured per day (10.27 vs. 9.61 kg/d), per meal (2.22 vs. 2.01 kg/meal), and per minute eating (0.19 vs 0.17 kg/min). Breed did not affect (P 0.10) the number of meals. Yet, increasing the proportion of Limousin, linearly decreased intake (P 0.03), expressed per day (10.18, 10.04 and 9.59 kg/d, for AA, LF and LM, respectively), per meal (2.21, 2.10, and 2.03, kg/meal) or per min eating (0.183, 0.181, and 0.172 kg/min). While time eating (per day and per meal) remained constant across breeds and sex, the greater daily DMI of Angus was explained by a greater and faster consumption within a meal. The greater DMI of steers was attributed to having more meals each day and eating more and faster within each meal. In this study, Limousin-crossed cattle ate less voraciously than Angus cattle. Further research should evaluate the impact of this differential feed behavior on gastrointestinal health, feed efficiency, and compositional differences amongst breeds.
Meyer et al. (Wed,) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: