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Effect of virginiamycin supplementation on the performance of young grazing cattle
Author(s) -
FIEMS L. O.,
BOUCQUÉ Ch. V.,
COTTYN B. G.,
MOERMANS R. J.,
BRABANDER D. L.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
grass and forage science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.716
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1365-2494
pISSN - 0142-5242
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2494.1992.tb02245.x
Subject(s) - virginiamycin , grazing , zoology , rumen , grassland , biology , ruminating , agronomy , fermentation , food science , rumination , antibiotics , biochemistry , cognition , neuroscience
Three experiments have been conducted to study the effect of virginiamycin in young grazing‐bulls (Experiment 1) and heifers (Experiments 2 and 3). Rotational grazing on permanent grassland was practised and animals were supplemented with 1 kg dried sugarbeet pulp per head daily. Control groups did not receive virginiamycin via the supplement, while it was incorporated at 120, 300 and 200 mg kg −1 for the treatment groups in Experiments 1 to 3 respectively. Average daily liveweight gain was significantly increased from 0·59 to 0·72 kg in Experiment 1 and from 0·73 to 0·81 kg in Experiment 3, but was not affected in Experiment 2 (0·51 vs 0·55 kg). Virginiamycin also increased liveweight gain per ha by 12, 7 and 13%, respectively, for the three experiments. Grazed area per animal was not enlarged to the same extent as the calculated daily energy allowances, which may suggest an improved digestibility and/or rumen fermentation.