Document Type
Dissertation - Open Access
Award Date
2023
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department / School
Animal Science
First Advisor
Zachary Smith
Abstract
The objective of this dissertation was to investigate how feed additives, orally administered direct fed microbials, and dietary management strategies may be beneficial in improving gastrointestinal health and growth performance of confinement fed ruminants. Four studies were conducted using confinement fed steers (n = 3) and wether lambs (n = 1) to determine the effects of the products and management strategies used. The first study was conducted on finishing steers to investigate the effects of increasing doses of an encapsulated butyric acid and zinc supplement (BZ) on growth performance, efficiency of dietary net energy utilization, carcass characteristics, and gastrointestinal health. Study two evaluated the effects of an encapsulated butyric acid and zinc supplement on growth performance, efficiency of dietary net energy utilization, empty body measurements, carcass characteristics, and gastrointestinal health of lambs during a grain overload acidosis challenge. The third study evaluated the effects of orally dosing Megasphaera elsdenii NCIMB 41125 on growth performance, efficiency of dietary net energy utilization, rumination, and activity of steers transitioned from a diet containing 4% dietary starch to a diet containing 38% dietary starch. Finally, the fourth study evaluated the effects that greater roughage inclusion during the late finishing period has on growth performance, efficiency of dietary net energy utilization, rumination, rumen health, liver abscess prevalence, and carcass characteristics of feedlot steers. The results from the studies in this dissertation indicate that some feed additives and management strategies likely need targeted application at key points during the feeding period for maximal effectiveness. Strategies investigated in the four studies of this dissertation may provide producers beneficial information about products and management strategies to be used in their commercial ruminant livestock operations.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Feed additives.
Ruminants -- Feeding and feeds.
Beef cattle -- Feeding and feeds.
Lambs -- Feeding and feeds.
Ruminants -- Growth.
Beef cattle -- Growth.
Lambs -- Growth.
Gastrointestinal system.
Publisher
South Dakota State University
Recommended Citation
Francis, Forest Laine, "Feeding Strategies to Improve Gastrointestinal Health and Growth Performance of Confinement Fed Ruminants" (2023). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 852.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd2/852
Included in
Rights Statement
