Effects of chromium supplementation on the growth and carcass quality of bulls fed a grain-based diet during the finishing period.
Two groups of 12 young bulls, as similar as possible with respect to age and weight, were fed a basic diet of hay and concentrates ad libitum for 170 days. The concentrate fed to one of the groups was supplemented with 0.20 mg of organic chromium per kg DM from a fodder yeast product so that the concentration of chromium in the total dry matter of their diet was 0.90 mg/kg, compared with 0.72 mg/kg in the diet of the control group. No significant differences were observed between the two groups of animals in terms of either their daily weight gain or any of the parameters of carcass quality examined. It is therefore concluded that in Sweden there is no reason to add chromium routinely to the diet of intensively fed, growing bulls.
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Agricultural Research, Skara, Sweden.
D A
DA
Danielsson
B
B
Pehrson
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000254:growth & development*; D002857:Chromium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D002523:Edible Grain; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000592:standards*; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
D002857:Chromium