Programmed feeding response on the growing performance and blood biochemical profile of Hanwoo beef heifers during summer and winter season

• Main Authors: Park, W. Y., Lumbera, Wenchie Maria L., Hong, S W., Dela Cruz, Joseph F., Hwang, Seong G.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2015
• Subjects: Beef cattle—Feeding and feeds—Climatic factors; Biology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/11453
• Institution: De La Salle University

Season is one of the important factor affecting the performance and health of beef cattle. Programmed feeding is a way to determine net energy equations that can be used to evaluate the amount of feeds required to attain the necessities for maintenance and specific target rate of gain. The study investigated the effect of varying programmed feeding system and nutrition suitable under summer and winter environmental conditions on the performance and blood biochemical profile of Hanwoo beef heifers. A total of thirty-two Hanwoo beef heifers weighing 250-350 kg body weight were divided into two time frames: summer and winter season. Each group were further subdivided into four treatment groups programmed to attain a specific daily gain (0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 kg) and evaluated their performance and blood biochemical profile. Results showed that during winter and summer season, 200 grams daily gain can be attained through programmed feeding obtaining optimum growth performance exhibited by high feed efficiency. Also, total blood cholesterol and BUN can be much affected by programmed feeding during both seasons. Cortisol levels indicating stress in animals was higher during cold stress compared to heat stress. All of these findings may suggest the optimum feed intake management to attain performance advantages to beef cattle feeders during summer and winter and the physiological responses attributed to it.