Exogenous enzymes improve performance and carcass traits of feedlot cattle fed high-grain diet

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation of two different enzymatic complexes, fibrolytic (NSPases) or amylolytic (EXP3066) enzymes, on growth performance, digestibility, behavior, and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle. Thirty-six ½ Angus yearling bulls with an average initial weight of 391±5.0 kg were used in this experiment blocked by weight in a completely randomized design divided in three treatments: control, NSPases, and EXP3066. The basal diet was composed of 85% whole corn grain and 15% nucleus. NSPases increased average daily gain on days 63 and 84, and gain:feed ratio on days 42, 63, and 84. Total carcass weight and carcass daily gain were improved by 4.8% and up to 6.0% with EXP3066 and NSPases supplementations, respectively. The group that received NSPases supplementation showed even greater carcass feed efficiency when compared with animals in the control group. There was an increase in apparent dry matter digestibility and a decrease of fecal whole grain residual percentage with enzyme supplementation. Enzyme supplementation affected hot carcass weight and EXP3066 provided greater values for ribeye area and marbling compared with control. Exogenous enzymes improve performance and carcass traits in feedlot cattle fed high-grain diet.