The impact of feed efficiency selection on the ruminal, cecal, and fecal microbiomes of Angus steers from a commercial feedlot.

ABSTRACT: Feed is the greatest cost of animal production, so reducing it is critical to increase producer profits. In ruminants, the microbial population within the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is critical to nutrient digestion and absorption in both the rumen and the hindgut. The objective of this study was to determine the bacterial taxonomic profile of the rumen, cecum, and feces of feedlot steers at slaughter in order to link feed efficiency and the GIT bacterial populations from these three locations. Twenty commercial Angus steers were selected and divided into two groups according to their residual feed intake (RFI) classification determined during the feedlot-finishing period: high-RFI (n = 10) and low-RFI (n = 10). After the ruminal, cecal, and fecal samples were collected at slaughter, DNA

SUBMITTER: Welch CB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7392532 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature