Title: Effect of Animal Fat and Protein Supplements on Range Beef Cattle
Abstract: Thirty-six weanling steer claves were allotted to treatments in a 2 × 3 factorial designed experiment each year for 2 years. The winter treatments were two levels of fat and three protein supplements. Following the winter period all cattle ranged together until fall. Protein supplements increased the rate of gain during the winter and for the entire year but the animals without a winter protein supplement gained faster during the summer. Supplemental fat had no significant effect on rate of gain. Other body measurements supported these weight changes. Dietary fat increased the level of plasma fat, vitamin A and carotene; had no effect on total cells, hemoglobin or liver storage of carotene; temporarily decreased the level of plasma phosphorus; and, decreased the storage of vitamin A during the winter period. During this same period supplementary protein decreased the level of plasma fat and plasma carotene when extra fat was fed; when extra fat was not fed, it had no effect on these constituents; it also decreased plasma vitamin A. Total cells and hemoglobin levels were maintained at their pre-experimental level when extra protein was fed while the level of these constituents decreased in the non-protein-supplemental animals. When extra protein was fed, less vitamin A and carotene was stored in the liver. All blood values became equalized during the summer period.
Publication Year: 1959
Publication Date: 1959-05-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 15
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