A Seven Year Summary of Feeding Cull Market Cows

Nine groups totaling 457 culled market cows were fed high concentrate rations at two locations in SW Iowa to demonstrate the possibilities of finishing for the “White Fat Cow” market. Average profit per head was $16.54 with a range$174.36 to -$91.45. Adjusted final weights ranged from 1484 to 1646 pounds, while average daily gains ranged from 2.88 to 4.55 pounds daily during a 70 to 91 day feeding program. Dry matter feed conversions on a shrunk basis ranged from 8.70 to 12.78 pounds per pound of gain with an average of 10.91. From 78.4 to 98.8 percent of the cows within the fed groups qualified in the “Premium White Fat” grades with an average of 85.5$98.03 with a range of $70.81 to$156.85. Delivery weight had a significant impact on average daily gain, feed cost of gain and total cost of gain; however body condition score had no significant impact on performance traits or cost of gain

Does Carcass Value Gain per Day on Feed Used in the 4-H Program Relate to Cattle Feeding Profitability?

Data from 410 feedout groups representing 29,389 head from the Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity Cooperative were analyzed to test the validity of using carcass value per day on feed (CVDOF) as a ranking tool in 4-H beef performance carcass contests. All feedout groups were calculated for feedlot profit using standardized feed and yardage costs, yet using their actual health treatment costs and miscellaneous costs. CVDOF is calculated using carcass weight gain per day during the feeding period and adjusting that for red meat yield using the percent retail product equation. This result is then put on a monetary basis by using a carcass price adjusted for carcass quality and yield grade. CVDOF when tested for its relationship to feedlot profitability was highly significant and accounted for 74 percent of the variation in profit. If one desires a ranking equation in the 4-H beef performance carcass program that relates well to feedlot profitability then CVDOF proves to be quite effective

Evaluation and Observation of Testing Feed Efficiency in Angus Seedstock Heifers

A total of 38 Angus heifers in four contemporary groups over two years were evaluated for pelleted feed intakes, feed conversions and residual feed intake (RFI) using a PinPointer feeding system at Wardens Farms, Council Bluffs, Iowa. Daily pellet intakes (.47 mcal/lb of NEg) averaged 18.6 lbs during the first week and peaked at week nine with 26 lbs. Individual heifer variation on a percent of body weight basis was from 2.1% to 3.3%, but during week 2 the range was 1.7%. Adjusted feed conversions calculated using BIF guidelines averaged 8.11 and 13.24 for 2005 and 2006, respectively. RFIs by methodology averaged zero, but had a standard deviation of 1.24 and 1.18 for both years, respectively, which is similar to evaluations looking at bulls for efficiency. RFIs calculated at 56 days on test were compared to end of test RFIs and were found to be significantly (P\u3c.0001) correlated at .85. RFI was found to be significantly (P\u3c.0001) correlated to average daily feed intake at .61, but not correlated to any other measures of performance including ultrasound traits

The Significance of Finished Cattle Sorting Methodology on Grid Market Performance and Enhanced Revenue for Calf-Fed Beef Cattle

During the past 15 years there has been a major change in the way finished cattle are marketed. Live bids on complete pens of cattle are less prevalent with the advent of value-based marketing where there is an increased emphasis placed on carcass quality and red meat yield. Value-based marketing establishes value based on the animal’s own individual carcass merit. Various grid markets have specifications for important carcass traits that include quality grade, yield grade, and carcass weight. Carcasses that exceed the criteria receive premiums while those that fall short of the specifications receive discounts that in some cases are quite severe. Because of this newer pricing system there may be economic advantages to sort cattle at the end of the feeding period. Past research has demonstrated that sorting cattle by specific traits results in reducing the variation of the traits being evaluated. Feedlots and producers need a sort system that can be performed in a minimal amount of time and expense and is accurate in identifying animals that meet the specifications for a particular market

Effects of Second Implant on Feedlot Gain and Carcass Traits

Two hundred eighteen steers were finished in a total confinement deep-bedded system at the Armstrong Research Farm, Lewis, IA during 2009. All steers were implanted with Synovex-Choice on day 1 and half the steers in each pen were implanted with Synovex-Choice on day 56. All steers were harvested on day 118. The 2nd implant resulted in an immediate and significant improvement in average daily gain. In the 76 day weigh period following reimplantation the group receiving the 2nd implant gained .66 lb/day more than the group not receiving an additional implant. The overall average daily gain of steers implanted once compared to the steers implanted twice was 3.81 vs. 4.10. The 2nd implant group produced significantly heavier carcasses. There were no significant differences in carcass fat cover or ribeye area. The twice implanted steers had a lower percentage low Choice or better (P=.0571) and a greater percentage Select (P=.0555). Implanting a second time resulted in an increase in carcass weights, an almost significant reduction in % Choice but still resulted in a numerical, non-significant increase in carcass value

Effect of Implant Timing on Feedlot Gain and Carcass Traits

One hundred sixty one steers were finished in a total confinement deep-bedded system at the Armstrong Research Farm, Lewis, IA during 2008. The three treatment groups were implanted with Synovex-Choice 112, 82 and 56 days prior to harvest. The implant resulted in an immediate and significant improvement in average daily gain. In the weigh period immediately after receiving the implant average daily gains increased from .72 to 1.35 lb/day compared to treatment groups or group that had not yet received their implant. The overall average daily gain of steers implanted 112 days (3.76 lb/day) and 82 days (3.70 lb/day) prior to harvest was significantly more than steers implanted 56 days (3.44 lb/day) prior to harvest. The 112 day implant group produced significantly heavier carcasses than the 56 day implant group While the 82 day implant group average carcass weight was intermediate and not significantly different from the other treatment groups. There was no significant difference in carcass fat cover, however, steers implanted 112 and 82 days had significantly larger ribeyes than steers implanted 56 days prior to harvest. Numerically the 53% low Choice or better was lower for the steers implanted 56 days prior to harvest compared to 60% low Choice or better for the other two treatments. The increase in carcass weights resulted in incremental, nonsignificant increases in carcass value

Effect of Disposition on Feedlot Gain and Quality Grade

A total of 13,315 beef calves fed at eight Iowa feedyards were used to evaluate the effect of disposition during the feedlot period on feedlot gain and carcass quality. The calves, representing 12 states, were consigned to the Iowa Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity and were weighed upon arrival, after 35 days, at reimplant, and prior to harvest. A disposition score (Beef Improvement Federation Six Point Scoring System – 1 = very docile and 6 = very aggressive) was assigned at on test weighing, re-implant time, and pre-harvest, and these disposition scores were averaged to calculate a mean disposition score. The mean disposition score was used to classify calves into three groups for analysis – 1 and 2 = docile (n=9,642), 3 and 4 = restless (n=2,915), and 5 and 6 = aggressive (n=758). A common diet and health program was utilized at each feedlot. Calves were sorted and harvested when they were visually evaluated to have 0.4 inches of fat cover. Arrival weight (lb) and ADG (lb/day) were 630.5 and 3.17; 626.4 and 3.11; and 610.8 and 2.91 for docile, restless, and aggressive calves, respectively. Morbidity rate was significantly (P=.0009) affected by disposition class 19.23, 16.82 and 16.18% for docile, restless and aggressive calves, respectively. However, disposition score did not affect mortality rate (P=.1985). The percent prime, choice, select, and standard carcasses for docile, restless, and aggressive calves were 1.69, 72.45, 23.29, and 2.55; 1.17, 67.91, 27.49, and 3.43; and 0.13, 58.12, 36.20, and 5.55, respectively. Disposition score influenced the percentages of carcasses in each quality grade (P\u3c.001). Acceptance rates for black-hided Angus-type calves eligible for the Certified Angus Beef® Program (CAB®) were 29.07, 22.83, and 14.31 (P\u3c.0001) for docile, restless, and aggressive calves, respectively. When considering the effect of disposition on quality and yield grade, feedlot gain, death loss, and treatment costs, docile calves returned $62.19/head more than aggressive calves. Calves with poor disposition were lighter upon arrival at the feedlot, gained less, had reduced quality grade, and reduced CAB® acceptance rates compared with docile calve

Evaluation of Feed Efficiency Testing Angus Bulls on a New Feed Intake Monitoring System

A new feed intake monitoring system (FIMS) was developed and utilized to evaluate individual animal feed intakes and conversions. Data from the FIMS was compared to historical data from the same producer which was accumulated via a Pinpointer 4000 system. Lower cost nutrition was accomplished via normal feedlot total mixed rations delivered to feedbunks with using a mixing delivery wagon. Wireless data downloads eliminated data entry errors and no animal training time was needed for individual feed intakes. Bull growth rates, feed intakes, and conversions on the FIMS compared favorably to the older Pinpointer system