Fattening performance, blood parameters and slaughter traits of Karya lambs consuming blend of essential oil compounds

The effects of feeds containing a blend of essential oil compounds on fattening performance, some blood parameters, the slaughter traits, and internal organ weights of Karya lambs were researched. The lambs were divided into 2 treatment groups: the first group (control, C) consumed mixed feed without blend of essential oil compounds, while the other group (BEOC) consumed mixed feed with blend of essential oil compounds. The mixed feed of BEOC group contained 1 g blend of essential oil compounds per kg. Karya lambs weighed an average of approximately 19.05±1.65 kg and aged 5.5 months. Each lamb was housed in the individual pen and consumed alfalfa hay at 0.2 kg/lamb/day and mixed feed ad libitum. During a period of 56 days, the body weights (BW), body weight gains (BWG), total dry matter intake and feed conversion ratios (FCR) of males and females of BEOC group showed better results, but they were not important statistically (P>0.05). Blood parameters of male and female lambs between group C and group BEOC were similar values, but the values of blood parameters in favour of group BEOC were noticed recovery, numerically. It was determined that only the  conformation score and lung weight of female lambs were significant (P<0.05). All the other slaughter traits and internal organs weights were not significantly observed the effect depending on the feeding diet containing a blend of essential oil compounds.Key words: Blend of essential oil compounds, blood, carcass, lamb, performance

Dark Cutting Incidence in Holstein Friesian, Brown Swiss and Eastern Anatolian Red Cattle Slaughtered Under Turkish Commercial Slaughter Conditions

Abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of dark cutting (DC) in Holstein Friesian (HF, n=382), Brown Swiss (BS, n=294) and Eastern Anatolian Red (EAR, n=212) male cattle slaughtered under Turkish commercial slaughter conditions. The importance of some factors (transport distance from farm to abattoir, lairage time, waiting type at abattoir, carcass weight and behaviour prior to slaughter) influencing of normal, moderate DFD and DFD carcass frequency on breed were also evaluated. There was influence of breed on the incidence of dark cutting condition. In HF, BS and EAR, males produced 54, 47 and 68 % moderate DFD carcasses; 23, 34 and 25 % DFD carcasses, respectively. Normal carcass percentage was lower in EAR (8%) compared to in HF (24%) and BS (19%). The results show that there were apparent differences in behaviour of these breeds prior to slaughter. During slaughter BS and EAR males had more excitable temperament than HF males. The present study also indicated that the incidence of dark cutting was higher for long haul transport and short lairage time. But, we concluded that the main cause of dark cutting of breed was the free waiting of animals at abattoir pens until slaughter under Turkish commercial slaughter conditions. Key words: Dark cutting incidence, DFD carcass, mod DFD carcass, pre-slaughter condition

Profit maximization of cattle fattening breed based on characteristics of producers: An application of game theory

The major purpose of this study was to determine the cattle fattening breed which maximizes the net profit for the producers under risks and uncertainties based on different characteristics of producers. The monthly data of 21 bullocks consisted of 7 Holstein, 7 PiedmonxHolstain and 7 LimuzinxHolstein cross-breed cattle fattened in closed tie-stall experiment barns of Aegean Agricultural Research Institute, Izmk, Turkey were used in the study. The games were constructed based on the net profit per cattle obtained in the 5th month of fattening where the highest total profit was obtained. Maximaks, WaId, Regret, Hurwicz, Utility and Laplace Criterions of Game Theory were used. The Maximaks, Regret, Hurwics and Laplace Criterions showed that the best breed was Limuzin for the producers in terms of net profit per cattle. According, the results of Wald and Utility Criterions of Game Theory, the optimal breed was Piedmont. Holstein breed was not compatible with any criterions used in this study. Since, the highest net profit per cattle ($ 588.33) is obtained from Limuzin breed by applying Maximaks Criterion, we strongly recommend this breed for optimistic producers. However, the characteristics of producers will determine which criterion to apply to choose the best breed. © Medwell Journals, 2008