The fattening of Limousine cull cows

Abstract

Variation in weight gain and body composition of Limousine cull cows was studied with respect to the length of the fattening period, the amount of feed, energy or nitrogen, and the age of animals. When fed with high energy concentrate (corn silage and concentrate), these cows could be fattened in 2 to 2.5 months and gained approximately 1,200 g/day. The carcass and muscle gain amounted approximately 50 and 20 kg respectively. With an increased fattening period, rate of weight gain became much slower and the carcass gain was due essentially to adipose tissues. The feed efficiency, i.e. the ratio of daily liveweight gain to feed intake, decreased throughout the fattening period, and was accelerated after the first two months of fattening. The feed efficiency was also decreased when the feed intake was limited. In these conditions, feed restriction during the finishing period did not seem to be technically interesting because it lengthened feeding period and did not reduce the fatness of animals. Increased level of nitrogen intake did not influence either liveweight gain or carcass composition in very old cows. The liveweight gain and the carcass gain are greater in young cows than in older one. However, Limousine cows are able to produce very satisfactory carcasses, with regards to weight and composition up to 13 years of age.