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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 65(12)

Enhancing predictions of nitrogen excretion in beef cattle in the tropics

S. C. Valadares Filho A , A. S. Brito Neto https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2190-3239 A * , S. S. Moreira https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4253-0440 A , L. F. Prados B , F. H. M. Chizzotti https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5903-8172 A and L. N. Rennó A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, 36570-900, MG, Brazil.

B Cargill Animal Nutrition, Campinas, 13091-611, SP, Brazil.

* Correspondence to: antonio.b.neto@ufv.br

Handling Editor: James Dougherty

Animal Production Science 65, AN25051 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN25051
Submitted: 12 February 2025  Accepted: 21 July 2025  Published: 11 August 2025

© 2025 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing

Abstract

Context

Excreted fecal and urinary N can cause environmental contamination.

Aims

Our objective was to evaluate models for predicting nitrogen (N) excreted in feces (FN), urine (UN) and manure of beef cattle; and to update the Nutrient Requirements of Zebu and Crossbred Cattle Committee dataset, and develop new models for predicting FN, UN and N in manure.

Methods

The dataset consisted of 30 works published between 1999 and 2024, including bulls, steers and heifers, with Nellore and crossbred animals. Criteria for inclusion in the dataset included studies in which the cattle production system was designed for meat, and the availability of individual animal data for model development and evaluation.

Key results

To estimate FN (g/day), two equations were adjusted, a multiple regression considering nitrogen intake (NI; g/day) and bodyweight (kg) as independent variables (concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) = 0.55; root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) = 32.8%; RMSEP:observations standard deviation ratio (RSR) = 0.96), and a simple linear regression with NI as the independent variable (CCC = 0.53; RMSEP = 33.4%; RSR = 0.97). To predict UN (g/day), an exponential model was adjusted from NI (CCC = 0.65; RMSEP = 26.1%; RSR = 0.73). Regarding N excretion in manure (g/day), an exponential model was also used with NI as a predictor variable (CCC = 0.84; RMSEP = 15.6%; RSR = 0.52). The intercept and slope of the relationship between predicted and observed values for all developed equations were similar to 0 and 1 (P ≥ 0.09).

Conclusions

The equations generated were robust and accurate in estimating N excretion by feedlot beef cattle.

Implications

These models will provide support for planning production systems and reducing N excretion into the environment.

Keywords: environmental impact, fecal nitrogen, feedlot, manure, meta-analysis, models, nitrogen intake, urinary nitrogen.

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