China Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Medicine ›› 2026, Vol. 53 ›› Issue (2): 735-748.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2026.02.021

• Nutrition and Feed • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effect of Seasonal Differential Feeding of Full Year on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemistry Indicators and Feeding Benefits of Yaks

BAI Qin1(), LUO Xiaolin1, SHANG Kaiyuan1, GUAN Jiuqiang1, HUA Haiquan2, XU Chunxi3, AN Tianwu1, ZHAO Hongwen1, GOU Yuting1, ZHANG Xiangfei1()   

  1. 1.Sichuan Academy of Grassland Sciences,Chengdu 611731,China
    2.Tongde Barzom Animal Husbandry Company Limited,Hainan 810699,China
    3.Qinghai Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources Protection and Utilization Center,Xining 810016,China
  • Received:2025-07-23 Online:2026-02-20 Published:2026-01-27
  • Contact: ZHANG Xiangfei E-mail:bq1278560523@163.com;zxfsicau@foxmail.com

Abstract:

Objective This study aimed to investigate the effects of annual seasonal differential feeding on the growth performance, serum biochemistry, and feeding economics of yaks. Method Fifty healthy male yaks with similar body weight (147.49 kg±19.72 kg) were selected and randomly divided into a control group (CON) and an experimental group (SF), with 25 replicates per group and one yak per replicate. Yaks in CON group grazed year-round on natural pasture. The SF group received different feeding models according to seasonal variations: During the warm season supplementation period (April to October),“rotational grazing+supplementation” was implemented; During the cold season supplementation period (October to January of the following year), “rotational grazing+supplementation” was used; And during the cold season indoor feeding period (January to April of the following year), “warm shed+indoor feeding” was applied. The trial lasted 365 days. During the experiment, yak production performance was measured in April, October, January of the following year, and April of the following year. Serum samples were collected in October and April of the following year for serum biochemical analysis, and an economic benefit analysis was conducted. Result The average daily gain (ADG) of yaks in SF group was significantly higher than that of CON group in October and from January to April of the following year (P<0.05). The annual ADG was significantly increased from 115.56 g in CON group to 430.63 g in SF group (P<0.05). Serum biochemical indicators: In October, serum albumin (ALB), globulin (GLB), and total protein (TP) levels in SF group were significantly higher than those in CON group (P<0.05). In April of the following year, glucose (GLU), ALB, and TP concentrations in SF group were significantly higher than those in CON group (P<0.05). Within the SF group, serum ALB and TP concentrations in October were significantly higher than those in April of the following year (P<0.05).Regarding lipid metabolites: In October, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) concentrations in SF group were significantly higher than those in CON group (P<0.05). In April of the following year, serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), VLDL, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentrations in SF group were significantly lower than those in CON group (P<0.05). In CON group, VLDL, NEFA, and BHBA concentrations in October were significantly lower than those in April of the following year (P<0.05). Similarly, in SF group, serum VLDL, NEFA, and BHBA concentrations in October were also significantly lower than those in April of the following year (P<0.05).Among energy metabolism-related hormones: In October, serum insulin (INS) concentration in SF group was significantly higher than that in CON group (P<0.05). In April of the following year, serum glucagon (GLN) concentration in SF group was significantly lower than that in CON group (P<0.05). In CON group, serum adiponectin (APN) and GLN concentrations in October were significantly lower than those in April of the following year (P<0.05), while INS concentration was significantly higher in October than in April of the following year (P<0.05). In SF group, GLN concentration in October was significantly lower than that in April of the following year, while INS concentration was significantly higher in October than in April of the following year (P<0.05).In October, serum growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor Ⅰ (IGF-Ⅰ) concentrations in SF group were significantly higher than those in CON group (P<0.05). In April of the following year, GH and IGF-Ⅰ concentrations in SF group remained significantly higher than those in CON group (P<0.05). Within the SF group, serum IGF-Ⅰ concentration in October was significantly higher than that in April of the following year (P<0.05).The economic benefit analysis showed that the profit per yak in SF group increased by 884.14 yuan compared to CON group. Conclusion In summary, compared with traditional grazing, year-round seasonal differentiated feeding, which supplements nutrient intake based on grazing, significantly improved the weight gain performance of yaks during the warm season, elevated serum levels of glucose and nitrogen metabolites, reduced fat mobilization and weight loss during the cold season, and promoted growth hormone secretion, ultimately enhancing the economic benefits of yak farming.

Key words: yak; seasonal growth performance; serum biochemical; economic benefits

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