Dynafac, Fat and Diethylstilbestrol for Fattening Cattle

By nature, the ruminant animal was designed to be primarily a forage consuming animal. Under usual conditions, a large percentage of the nutrients consumed by ruminants are furnished by high-fiber feeds. The ruminant animal is relatively inefficient in the conversion of food nutrients into body tissues. Not only is the ruminant relatively inefficient in feed conversion, it is also more prone to digestive disturbances when high concentrate rations are fed. Improvement in the animal must come from effective selection and/or breeding of more efficient animals or from alteration of the physiological processes governing the animal’ metabolism which will promote increased digestion and assimilation of food nutrients. This study was designed to test the effectiveness in ration improvement from certain additions to a high-concentrate basal ration fed to fattening cattle. The improvement in rate, efficiency, and economy of gain and the quality of the carcasses produced were the main criteria used to determine the value of the additions to the basal ration. The work reported herein is the results obtained with beef cattle from the addition of three additives, dynafac, animal fats, and stilbestrol, either singly or in combination, and with dynafac added at different levels to a basal corn-alfalfa fattening ration

Estrous Synchonization, Crossbreeding and Antibiotic Feeding for Improved Ewe and Lamb Performance

Increased productivity and more efficient management of the ewe flock will enable the sheep industry to better compete with other livestock operations. Improved lambing percentage, decreased mortality of lambs from birth to weaning and a more uniform lamb crop will assure a greater return on ewe investment. Controlled breeding would achieve a shortened lambing period and a more uniform lamb crop. The better management necessary for a shortened, more rapid lambing may result in more lambs saved and marketed. More vigorous lambs and a lower death loss may be expected from crossbreeding and the use of antibiotics in the ewe ration at lambing time

The Effect of RAL Implants on Lamb Performance

One way to improve rate and efficiency of lamb production is by the use of growth stimulating compounds. Resorcylic Acid Lactone (RAL) is a relatively new growth stimulating compound that has been shown to improve weight gains and feed efficiency of growing and finishing beef cattle. South Dakota researchers have reported 13% faster gains on 9.7% less feed for yearling steers implanted with 36 mg. RAL when compared to control steers. Two trials were conducted to determine if a 12 mg. implant of RAL would be effective in improving performance of young growing lambs