1. Effect of Temperament Measures on Feedlot Cattle Performance.
- Author
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Bruno, K, McPhillips, L J, Calvo-Lorenzo, M, Desilva, U, Krehbiel, C R, Rolf, M M, Place, S E, Step, D L, Mateescu, R G, and VanOverbeke, D L
- Subjects
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TEMPERAMENT , *BEEF cattle ,CATTLE productivity - Abstract
Temperament measures have been correlated to ADG and DMI in feedlot cattle. However, most of these experiments evaluate intake at the pen level, rather than within the individual animal. Moreover, some of these relationships are often investigated using an average temperament score (either over time or numerous measures) rather than a single measure of temperament. The objective of this experiment was to examine relationships between temperament measures and performance in individual beef steers based on initial temperament scores. Steers from one source (n = 105) were randomly allocated to 4 pens in 2 weight blocks. Steers were fed a common TMR 3 times each day at approximately 0700, 1000, and 1400 for 70 d. Individual feed and water intake (WI) were measured daily using an Insentec feeding system. Body weights, exit velocity (EV), and chute score (CS) were measured every 14 d. Exit velocity was measured over 1.5 m; CS was measured by the same trained observer and reported on a 1-4 scale, where 1 is calm and 4 is wild. Animals were assigned an EV and CS ranking based on initial measures. Chute score ranking was assigned according to the first measure. Animals 1 SD above the EV mean were ranked as a 2 and animals 1 SD below the mean were a 0, with animals between ranking a 1. Lower ranks are indicative of calmer temperament. Dry matter intake, ADG, G:F, and WI were split into 5 periods (d 0-14, 14-28, 0-28, 28-70, and 0-70). Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS where the model included main effects of EV and CS; block was used as a random effect. There was no effect of EV or CS on DMI or WI for any period (P ≥ 0.90). There were no treatment effects for periods d 0-14, 14-28, or 0-70 (P ≥ 0.72). From d 0-28, steers with a CS of 2 or 3 had a increased ADG and G:F (P = 0.04) compared to steers with CS of 1 or 4. From d 28-70, steers with an EV of 1 had decreased ADG and G:F (P ≤ 0.05) compared to steers with EV of 0 or 2. Chute score may be more important for measures during early periods in the feedlot. Additionally, because each temperament measure related to performance in a different manner, this data supports the concept that CS and EV measure different underlying traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
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