Effect of total mixed ration processing time on ration consistency and beef cattle performance during the early fattening period

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of processing time of the total mixed ration (TMR) on its physical and chemical characteristics, consistency over time, dry matter intake (DMI), rumination, activity, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and performance of beef cattle. The trial was conducted on 98 charolais bulls (476 ± 36 kg) which were randomly assigned to two groups (1:54 animals in 6 pens; 2:44 animals in 5 pens). The two groups were fed rations with the same composition, but that were mixed for a short (20 min) mixing time (SMT) or for a 10 min longer mixing time (LMT). The trial lasted 60 days and was divided into 2 periods (P1 and P2). After P1 the diets were exchanged between groups according to a cross-over design. Animals were assessed for average daily weight gain (ADG), DMI, FCR, rumination and activity. All data were submitted to a mixed ANOVA model using the pen as random effect and period, mixing time and their interaction as fixed effects. The differences on TMR co...