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  4. FOUR YEARS OF ALL FORAGE BEEF BULL PERFORMANCE TESTING

FOUR YEARS OF ALL FORAGE BEEF BULL PERFORMANCE TESTING

File(s)
Glazier_cornell_0058O_11065.pdf (488.44 KB)
Permanent Link(s)
https://doi.org/10.7298/mzmz-rh56
https://hdl.handle.net/1813/102993
Collections
Cornell Theses and Dissertations
Author
Glazier, Nancy
Abstract

Cornell All Forage Fed Bull Test (CAFFBT) was initiated to evaluate growth performance of young beef bulls. With improved genetics developed for forage production, progeny of these selected bulls can be brought to market sooner, and improved feed efficiency obtained through breeding of these sires may reduce cow herd feed costs. The CAFFBT was conducted for four years at the Cornell University Ruminant Center in Dryden, NY. Live weights and body condition score (BCS) were recorded every 28 days. Initial and final hip heights were measured and age at measurement were used to calculate frame score (FS). Carcass ultrasound (US) was conducted to measure rump fat thickness, rib fat thickness, ribeye area and intramuscular fat. Breeding soundness exams were performed to gauge the breeding potential. Each year had a warm-up period prior to start. Test length was 112 days for years 1, 2, and 4, and 140 days for year 3. Year one of the test evaluated 13 bulls fed alfalfa hay. The average weight gain was 1.0 kg/day. In year two, 16 bulls were evaluated on a switchback feeding trial fed to two pens. Triticale silage and alfalfa silage were fed separately as treatments. Average weight gain was 0.7 kg/day for the triticale silage treatment and 0.8 kg/day for the alfalfa silage treatment. Year three evaluated 25 bulls fed primarily triticale silage. The average weight gain was 0.9 kg/day. Year four evaluated 23 bulls fed triticale silage resulting in an average weight gain of 0.6 kg/day. The CAFFBT provided a venue to evaluate these bulls and highlight the potential for weight gain on forage diets and assist with selection of genetically superior bulls.

Description
72 pages
Date Issued
2020-08
Keywords
beef
•
bull test
•
forage
•
gain
•
intake
•
performance test
Committee Chair
Cherney, Debbie Jeannine
Committee Member
Cherney, Jerry
Ketterings, Quirine M.
Baker, Michael James
Degree Discipline
Animal Science
Degree Name
M.S., Animal Science
Degree Level
Master of Science
Type
dissertation or thesis
Link(s) to Catalog Record
https://catalog.library.cornell.edu/catalog/13277974

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