Diamond V products improve beef performance, according to study

Feedlot managers gained confirmation of the role of Diamond V Original Products in feedlot performance and quality grade. Diamond V supplies nutritional fermentation products used to optimize digestive function.

Feedlot managers gained confirmation of the role of Diamond V Original Products in feedlot performance and quality grade. Diamond V supplies nutritional fermentation products used to optimize digestive function.

John Wagner, Professor of Animal Science, Colorado State University, conducted a beef research meta-analysis and found a beneficial effect on average daily gain, feed efficiency and carcass quality grade when Original Product was fed throughout the entire feeding period. The meta-analysis evaluated the effects of fermentation products on feedlot performance and carcass traits based on results from 28 feedlot studies. The data consisted of 67 treatments means from 234 pens and 7,660 feedlot cattle.

Methodology

Data analysis used mixed model procedures. Fixed class variables included Diamond V Original Product, monensin, tylosin and implants, in addition to gender. The days on feed were included as a fixed continuous variable, when statistically significant. "Study" was included in all models as a random class variable. The analysis was weighted by pen replicates per treatment mean.

According to Wagner, the meta-analysis found cattle fed Original Product had 2.8 kilograms heavier final bodyweight, achieved greater average daily gain of 1.42 kilograms versus 1.38 kilograms per day and gained 3.0 percdent more weight per kilogram of dry matter intake (gain: feed ratio) versus control cattle. Dry matter intact was similar between the control and Original Product.

Receiving Period

An analysis of receiving period data included 11 studies with 31 records, 104 pens and 1,066 cattle. When the Original Product was compared to a control, Wagner found statistically significant trends for increased final bodyweight of 1.2 kilogram, increased ADG of 1.27 kilogram versus 1.21 kilogram per day and improved gain: feed of 4.4 percent. Daily dry matter intact was not influenced by supplementation with Diamond V Original Product.

Finishing Period

For the finishing period, Wagner reported a statistically significant trend, based on 28 records, 108 pens and 1,906 cattle, of a 2.5 percent improvement in gain: feed for the Original Product versus a control.

Carcass Data

Wagner said his carcass data analysis of the research that was statistically significant revealed an increase in the percent Choice and Prime combined  66.5 percent versus 54.8 percent  and a reduction in the percent Select carcasses of 28.7 percent versus 40.9 percent for the Original Product versus the control.

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