›› 2018, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (2): 392-399.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2018.02.013

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Influence of Different Dietary Energy Levels on Growth Performance and Slaughter Performance of Culling Holstein Heifers

YUE Kangning1, LI Qiufeng1, CAO Yufeng1, WU Lei2, YU Chunqi2, DU Liuliu1, WANG Xiaoling1, GAO Yanxia1, LI Jianguo1   

  1. 1. College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China;
    2. Fucheng Wufeng Food Limited Company, Sanhe 065200, China
  • Received:2017-08-31 Online:2018-02-20 Published:2018-02-10

Abstract:

This experiment was aimed to explore the effects of diets with different energy levels on growth performance and slaughter performance of culling Holstein heifers. Twenty-four selected culling Holstein heifers in healthy condition with 466 kg average body weight and similar shape were randomly divided into three groups with eight heads per group:Group Ⅰ (low energy level),group Ⅱ (medium energy level) and group Ⅲ (high energy level). The three groups were fed diets with different energy levels. The experiment was consisted of earlier stage and later stage,and the crude protein of three groups in earlier stage were 12.50%,and energy levels were (NEmf) 6.80,7.00 and 7.20 MJ/kg,respectively,while the crude protein was 12.00%,and energy levels (NEmf) were 6.90,7.10 and 7.30 MJ/kg in later stage.The experiment was lasted for 100 d. The results showed that:①The average daily gain of group Ⅱ was the highest, increased by 4.76% (P > 0.05) and 43.48% (P < 0.05) than groups Ⅰ and Ⅲ,respectively. And the average dry matter intake of group Ⅱ were the highest and the F/G was the lowest,which were extremely significantly different from that of group Ⅲ (P < 0.01).②The increase of dietary energy levels could significantly increase the content of glucose and cholesterol in serum (P < 0.05), reduce the content of beta hydroxybutyric acid (P < 0.01).③The slaughter rate,net meat rate, marbling and backfat thickness of group Ⅲ were the highest. There was a significant difference of slaughter rate when compared with other groups (P < 0.05).The marbling and back fat thickness of group Ⅲ were significantly different with that of group Ⅰ (P < 0.05),but there was no significantly difference between group Ⅲ and group Ⅱ (P > 0.05).In cluclusion,improving the energy levels of diets could significantly increase the average daily gain and slaughter rate of culling Holstein heifers,and it also helped to decrease F/G,promote the fat deposition and improve the meat quality. Under the conditions of this experiment it was more appropriate to feed the culling Holstein heifers according to the standard of group Ⅱ (medium energy level). The appropriate energy and protein levels:In the earlier stage,NEmf 7.00 MJ/kg and CP 12.50%;In the later stage,NEmf 7.10 MJ/kg and CP 12.00%.

Key words: culling Holstein heifers; energy; growth performance; apparent nutrient digestibility; blood parameters; slaughter performance

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