Backgrounding of Feedlot Cattle - Levels of Grain on Pasture

Utilization of appreciable quantities of roughage for growing and finishing feedlot cattle means some restriction on rate of production in comparison to that obtained from diets containing more liberal quantities of concentrates. Periods of restricted growth of cattle have been shown to be followed by an accelerated rate of growth with an improvement in feed efficiency in comparison to more liberally fed animals during later finishing periods with high-concentrate diets. Thus, there can be some compensation in both rate and efficiency of gain following periods of restriction. However, the amount of compensation may vary depending upon the comparative degree and length of the periods of restriction and liberal feeding. Periods of restricted growth may be varied in degree by amounts and types of feeds offered and in length by the time such diets are fed. The reduction in performance should be that resulting from a reduced energy intake rather than from deficient levels of protein, minerals and vitamins. Of primary concern in the degree and length of restriction in the total feeding operation are the effects on amounts of various feeds and total time required to produce slaughter cattle of desirable weight and grade. Experiments have been conducted at this station during the past 5 years to obtain this kind of information where steers were fed various levels of grain on pasture prior to a high-concentrate finishing phase. Four experiments have been completed and are summarized for this report

Adaptation of Feedlot Cattle to Urea and Antibacterial Compounds

A period of adaptation to urea during which feedlot performance is suppressed is frequently experienced when this product is added to rations of cattle not previously, or recently, fed it. This effect appears more evident with levels of urea used when it forms a major part of total protein in the ration. Urea and antibiotics in combination are common additions to protein supplements or mixed rations. At usual levels for continuous feeding of antibiotics and safe levels of urea for the dietary conditions, the combination appears satisfactory and to offer the beneficial effects from these compounds after a suitable period of urea adaptation. However, much less is known about the effects of high levels of antibacterial compounds and urea together during early stages in the feedlot with unadapted cattle. More research is needed to answer questions concerning levels of these compounds during early stages in the feedlot, especially with calves shipped at weaning or a few weeks thereafter. Other information needed includes the relative effects of adaptation to urea and antibacterial singularly and together after various times of arrival of the cattle at the feedlot. Effects of adding urea to furnish the major source of supplemental protein to a corn silage ration for calves at various times following arrival at the feedlot were investigated in this experiment. Urea additions were made to rations of calves fed with and without antibacterial compounds

Summary of Research on Diethlstilbestrol for Growing and Fattening Beef Cattle

Numerous experiments on the response of growing and fattening cattle to stilbestrol have been reported in recent years. There has been a response to stilbestrol in most of these experiments, though to varying degrees. Many of the reports have been of a preliminary nature and in several instances have covered only one trial. A review of such experiments individually does not present a clear and concise picture of the effects of stilbestrol treatment. Therefore, results of most of the reported experiments have been reviewed and are summarized in the tables in this pamphlet. Four rather distinct phases of cattle feeding have been investigated. These are wintering without much fattening, pasturing alone, pasturing with additional feeding, and dry-lot fattening. These feeding phases are summarized separately

Growing and Fishing Bulls, Heifers and Steers

Growth rate of an animal depends upon energy consumed in excess of that for maintenance, and the requirements increase as the animal grows and fattens. Male and female cattle differ in rates of growth and fattening, but changes may be brought about by castration. There still is some concern as to the effects of market weight and energy content of rations on weight gain, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics of feedlot bulls, heifers and steers. This experiment was conducted to study these factors. Bulls ( calves and yearlings), heifers and steers were fed to one of two final weight groups. Rations with about 50% or 9 0 % concentrates were used for each weight and sex group. This report is concerned with the feedlot performance data. Results of the study on carcass data are presented in another report (A.S. Series 73-37)

Growth Stimulating Products for Feedlot Heifers Fed High-Concentrate Diets of High-Moisture Corn

This experiment was one in a series to determine the response by fee dlot heifers to various growth promoting products . Products tested were diethylstilbestrol (DES), zeranol and melengestrol acetate (MGA) under conditions of high-concentrate diets with high-moisture grain and hay or haylage

Storage Methods and Protein Supplements for High-Moisture Ear Corn

A high rate of gain can be obtained with growing and finishing cattle fed ear corn adequately supplemented with protein, minerals and vitamins. The cob portion of the ear furnishes more roughage than has been reported to result in optimum gains with minimum problems frequently associated with high-concentrate diets. Other roughages are not indicated with ear corn where high rates of gain are desired. Ear corn contains less protein than recommended in most diets for growing and finishing cattle. The low protein cob portion may not be an economical source of roughage in comparison to those considerably higher in protein unless there can be an effective and relatively cheap source of supplemental protein . Urea can be an effective source of protein at less cost than most plant sources under proper conditions of use. However, there are limitations in amount for the most effective results which vary with dietary conditions. There are several advantages for harvesting corn at about 30% grain moisture. This high-moisture grain has been reported to have some advantages over dry grain for growing and finishing cattle. The advantages for the high moisture content over the dry form appears to be greater for ear corn than for shelled corn. Storage conditions for high-moisture grains must be adequate to prevent spoilage. Conditions vary with moisture content and length of time in storage. The experiment reported here was conducted to study sources and levels of protein supplementation with high-moisture ground ear corn for growing and finishing cattle. Comparisons were also made between an upright concrete stave and an oxygen limiting (Harvestore) silo as methods for storing the corn

Vitamin A in Beef Cattle Feeding

Vitamin A is essential for all cattle. The vitamin does not occur naturally in feeds of plant origin. Many cattle are never fed vitamin A as such but do not develop a deficiency of the vitamin. The reason for this is that many feeds (pasture, good quality hay, silage, and yellow com) furnish carotene which is converted to vitamin A in the animal body

Carcass Characteristics of Bulls, Heifers and Steers as Influenced by Ration and Market Weight

High feed grain prices, a growing worldwide demand for animal protein, and increasing demand for lean, high quality beef make it imperative that beef volume and production efficiency increase. Because of high feed costs it is important to know how concentrate level in the ration and market weight influence production efficiency and carcass composition of different sex groups. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of market weight and ration concentrate level on the quant itative and qualitative carcass traits of yearling bulls, bull calves, heifers and steers