Hanchai Umpapol
Program in Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Sakon-Nakhon Rajabhat University, Sakon Nakhon 47000, Thailand
Tharadol Jitrajak
Program in Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Sakon-Nakhon Rajabhat University, Sakon Nakhon 47000, Thailand
Choompol Songvicha
Program in Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Sakon-Nakhon Rajabhat University, Sakon Nakhon 47000, Thailand
Pannapa Tantisirin
Program in Science and Food Science Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Sakon-Nakhon Rajabhat University, Sakon Nakhon 47000, Thailand
Reungrit Hanmontree
Program in Agri-Bussiness Industrial, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Sakon-Nakhon Rajabhat University, Sakon Nakhon 47000, Thailand
Jesda Sripandon
Sakon-Nakhon Livestock Station, Department of Livestock Development, Sakon Nakhon 47000, Thailand
Sumontip Umpapol
Sakon-Nakhon Kindergarten School, Thailand
ABSTRACT
The effect of potassium chloride (KCl) supplement in salt blocks on the fattening performance of Charolais crossbred cattle under heat stress was evaluated in the present experiment. The fattening performance of beef cattle improved due to KCl supplemention of salt blocks during heat stress conditions in Thailand. Eight crossbred beef cattle (50 to 75% Charolais crossbred cattle) were randomly assigned into two groups. They were raised under the management of small holders in Sakon Nakhon, Thailand. Group 1 was provided a salt block supplemented with KCl, while group 2 was given a salt block without KCl. After a preliminary experimental period of 2 weeks, the temperature and relative humidity in the experimental houses were recorded and blood samples were collected on day 0, 90 and 180 of the experiment to determine cortisol concentrations. Changes in general physiology (rectal temperature, pulse rates, respiration rates, heat tolerance co-efficiency, HTC and sweating rates) and hematology (hematocrit, hemoglobin, blood glucose and blood urea nitrogen and cortisol concentrations) were recorded throughout the experimental period. The temperature humidity index (THI) had a highly significant effect (p<0.01) on the general physiology of the cattle between group 1 and group 2, including the following respective differences: rectal temperature (39.39±0.02 vs., 39.45±0.03°C), pulse rate (66.59±4.50 vs., 70.31±2.74 breaths/min), respiration rate (64.34±3.52 vs., 66.04±5.76 time/sec), HTC (82.65±4.38 vs., 80.94±5.04%) and sweating rate (890.14±16.74 vs., 840 ml/m2/h). Additionally, hematology and cortisol concentrations in the blood serum of fattening beef cattle in both groups were increased (p<0.01). Cattle without KCl substitute had significantly higher values (p<0.01) for animal welfare behaviors such as rumination, panting, frequency of cattle standing up and walking for water, drinking and lying down motionless for rest or sleep at the back of the stall compared to cattle given KCl supplemented in a salt block. The fattening performance of group 1 and group 2 cattle were significantly different (p<0.05) as follows: final weight (672.20±2.80 vs., 652.62±4.48 kg), ADG (0.660±0.003 vs., 0.609±0.001 g/d), dressing percentage (61.40±0.74 vs., 57.20±0.80%) and marbling (3.74±0.02 vs., 3.74±0.02%). It is concluded that KCl-supplemented salt blocks are capable to improve fattening performance of beef cattle in semi-tropical countries.
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How to cite this article
Hanchai Umpapol, Tharadol Jitrajak, Choompol Songvicha, Pannapa Tantisirin, Reungrit Hanmontree, Jesda Sripandon and Sumontip Umpapol, 2016. Effect of Potassium Chloride Supplement in Salt Blocks on the Fattening Performance of Charolais Crossbred Beef Cattle under Heat Stress. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 15: 176-179.
DOI: 10.3923/pjn.2016.176.179
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=pjn.2016.176.179
DOI: 10.3923/pjn.2016.176.179
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=pjn.2016.176.179
REFERENCES
- Umpapol, H., T. Jitrajak, C. Songvicha, P. Tantisirin, R. Hanmontree, J. Sripandon and S. Umpapol, 2010. Participatory research for sustainable grading up quality on Yang-Kham fattening cattle, Sakon Nakhon province (2) A study of suitable housing for Phon-Yangkam fattening. Proceedings of the Thailand Research Symposium 2009: Thailand Research Expo 2009, August 26-30, 2009, Bangkok, Thailand.
- Umpapol, H., T. Jitrajak, C. Songvicha, P. Tantisirin, R. Hanmontree, J. Sripandon and S. Umpapol, 2014. Response on general physiology, animal welfare behavior and productivity of the different lineage level of charolais crossbred cattle for fattening beef cattle production performance in Thailand. Pak. J. Nutr., 13: 648-652.
CrossRefDirect Link - Umpapol, H., T. Jitrajak, C. Songvicha, P. Tantisirin, R. Hanmontree, J. Sripandon and S. Umpapol, 2014. Effect of raising beef cattle in the double shaded house on their fattening performance in Thailand. Pak. J. Nutr., 13: 657-660.
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