Reducing calcium and phosphorus in crossbred beef cattle diets: impacts on productive performance during the growing and finishing phase
L. F. Prados A C , S. C. Valadares Filho A , S. A. Santos A , D. Zanetti A , A. N. Nunes A , D. R. Costa A , L. D. S. Mariz A , E. Detmann A , P. M. Amaral A , F. C. Rodrigues A and R. F. D. Valadares BA Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Department of Animal Science, 36570-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
B Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Department of Veterinary Medicine, 36570-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
C Corresponding author. Email: laurafrancoprados@hotmail.com
Animal Production Science 56(10) 1643-1649 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN14781
Submitted: 23 May 2014 Accepted: 20 February 2015 Published: 21 May 2015
Abstract
Forty 3/4 Bos indicus × 1/4 Bos taurus bulls (initial bodyweight = 214 ± 4 kg; 11 ± 0.2 months) were used in the study. Four bulls were slaughtered as reference and the other 36 bulls were allowed ad libitum consumption of treatment diets following a completely randomised 3 × 3 factorial design. The design included three diet concentrations of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P): standard, 50% of standard, and 75% of standard and three periods of feedlot confinement: 8, 16, and 24 weeks with four bulls per treatment combination. The diets were isonitrogenous and consisted of 60 : 40 corn silage to concentrate. Dry matter intake, crude protein, ether extract, organic matter, non-fibrous carbohydrates, Ca, and P, expressed as kg/day, were greater (P < 0.05) for bulls confined for longer periods. Nutrient digestibility and average daily gain was not affected (P > 0.05) by Ca and P concentration of diet or by feedlot phase. Dressing were decreased (P < 0.05) for bulls that remained in confinement for a shorter period. The daily maintenance requirements of Ca and P were 13.66 and 21.51 mg/kg empty bodyweight, respectively, and the absorption coefficients of Ca and P were 0.70 and 0.67, respectively. We concluded that for crossbred cattle in the feedlot, dietary levels of Ca and P recommended by BR-CORTE (2010), NRC (2000), and AFRC (1991) could be reduced by 62%, 66%, and 57%, respectively, for Ca and by 14%, 15%, and 43%, respectively, for P with significant savings in costs. This study shows that Ca and P can be reduced to 1.8 and 2.2 g/kg DM respectively, in the diets for crossbred cattle in feedlot.
Additional keywords: absorption coefficients, average day gain, mineral requirements.
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