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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2016, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (1): 273-279.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb2015113

• Orginal Article • Previous Articles    

Nutrition effects on growth of Holstein bulls

LI Yan1, LI Xiao-Meng2, LI Qiu-Feng2, DU Liu-Liu2, CAO Yu-Feng2, *, YU Chun-Qi3, WANG Xiao-Ling2, LI Jian-Guo2, GAO Yan-Xia2   

  1. 1.College of Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding 071001, China;
    2.College of Animal Science and Technology, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding 071001, China;
    3.Fucheng Wufeng Food Limited Company, Sanhe 065200, China
  • Received:2015-03-03 Online:2016-01-20 Published:2016-01-20

Abstract:

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effects of different dietary energy and protein levels on linear-fattening performance of Holstein bulls. Thirty six Holstein bulls (mean live weight 121 kg) aged 4-5 months were allocated into two equal groups; group I (low nutrition diet) and groupⅡ(high nutrition diet). The experimental period continued for 440 days. The average daily gain (ADG) of group Ⅱ was 5.83% higher (P>0.05) than that of group I, but the feed/gain ratio of group Ⅱ was 3.11% lower than that of group Ⅰ(P>0.05). There was no difference between group Ⅰ and Ⅱ in the apparent digestibility of crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, calcium and phosphorus. Glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, growth hormone and tetraiodothyronine in the blood of group Ⅱbulls were increased by 8.27%, 13.85%, 6.70% and 1.26% (P<0.05) compared with group I bulls, respectively. The amount of blood urea nitrogen was significantly decreased 12.22% (P<0.01). Nutrition level had no effect on the dressing percentage, carcass weight and net meat percentage. Compared with group I, pH, drop loss, shear force and dehydration rate of group Ⅱ were decreased by 2.34%, 12.97%, 18.30% and 3.38% at 72 h, respectively. The amount of crude protein and ether extract were increased by 4.95% and 8.55%. The economic advantage of group Ⅱ bulls was 0.98 yuan/(head·day) compared to group Ⅰ. The total benefit from group Ⅱbulls was 431.20 yuan/head. Increasing energy and protein levels in diets of young Holstien bulls promoted growth and meat quality and the economic outcomes.