Kerby, Joel L.

Nimr, Gary H.

Rouquette, F. M., Jr.

English

Texas A&M University

Feedlot Performance of Steers and Heifers Grazed at Three Stocking Rates on Rye-Ryegrass Pastures

Texas A&amp;M Repository

    PUBLICATIONS 2000 FEEDLOT PERFORMANCE OF STEERS AND HEIFERS GRAZED ATTHREE STOCKING RATES ON RYE-RYEGRASS PASTURESF. M. Rouquette, Jr., J. L. Kerby, and G. H. NimrBackground. During the winter pasture grazing period (Dec.-May) of both 1997-98 and1998-99, a total of 272 steers and heifers grazed 'Maton' rye-'TAM 90' ryegrass at three stockingrates (SR). Simmental-sired steers and heifers and Angus x Brahman (F-l) steers were stocked atan average of 1.6, 2.2, and 2.8 600-lb stockers at initiation of grazing in December. Pastureperformance for steers only is presented in a companion report. On May 18, 1998 and May 18,1999, cattle were transported to a commercial feedlot in Hereford, TIC In 1998, each of the threeSR groups were divided into "heavy" and "lighter" weight feedlot pens (Pen 1 =heavy wt., Pen 2= lighter wt). This division was made because ofvariation in off-pasture weights among each SR,and availability offeedlot space. In 1999, feedlot pen availability did not permit a division amongSR treatments based on weight. The primary objective ofthis feeding experiment was to determinethe influence ofprevious pasture stocking and animal growth rate on feedlot performance attributesand evidence of compensatory gain.Research Findings. Steers and heifers were 25 to 50 lbs heavier from each SR in 1998compared to 1999 due to forage availability and gain on pasture (Tables 1 and 2). Averaged overthe two years, feedlot arrival weights were 946 lb for low SR, 848 lb for medium SR, and 706 lb forhigh SR; whereas, respective off-truck ADG were 3.64, 3.75, and 3.99Ibs/da, and respecttve pay-weight ADG were 3.09, 3.25, and 3.60 Ib/da. Compensatory gains were noted for both years for lowvs high SR; the 2-year averages were primarily due to gain differences among SR ,in 1999 (Table2): Differences in days on feed were due to time cattle reached similar visual back fat and individualweight ofcattle. The longer feeding periods in 1999 compared to 1998 were due primarily to entryweights. Average consumption ranged from 22 to 26 Ib/hd; however, average daily intake increasedfrom low to high SR cattle and ranged from 2.06% to 2.74% body weight (BW). The feed:gain (drymatter) ranged from 4.6: 1 to 5.8: 1 for "off-truck" and 5.1: 1 to 7.2: 1 on a "pay weight" basis. Thus,total cost/lb gain was economically advantageous at all SR.Application. Although compensatory gains are usually prominent for cattle deprived ofadlibitum intake for a prolonged period prior to feedlot finishing, certain biotypes of cattle makebiological and economic gains even when entering the feedlot at 900 to 1000 Ibs. Knowledge ofperformance attributes ofspecific cattle (breeds, types, etc.) allows for economic advantages duringpartial or total stages of production.19Table 1. Feedlot performance of steers and heifers grazed at three stocking rates (SR) on rye-ryegrass pastures during 1997-98 .LOWSR MEDIUMSR lllGHSRITEM Pen 1 Pen 2 Pen 1 Pen 2 Pen 1 Pen 2Number 22 21 22 23 24 26Arrival date 5-19-98 5-19-98 5-19-98 5-19-98 5-19-98 5-19-98Feedlot arrival wt (lbs) 1037 896 940 814 819 711Final feedlot wt (lbs) 1511 1328 1425 1359 1461 1290Final pay wt (lbs) 1451 1275 1368 1305 1403· 1239Days on feed 114 114 114 148 148 148Total feedlot gain (lbs) 474 433 485 545 643 579Total pay wt gain (Ibs) 414 379 428 491 584 527Average daily gain-Off truck (Ibid) 4.16 3.79 4.25 3.68 4.34 3.91-Pay wt (Ibid) 3.63 3.33 3.75 3.32 3.95 3.56Feed:Gain-Off truck (dry) 4.93 4.63 4.90 5.21 4.59 4.70-Pay wt (dry) 5.65 5.28 5.55 5.79 5.05 5.16Avg consumption (Ibid) 26.05 22.32 26.47 24.37 25.33 23.33Avg daily intake (% BW) 2.09 2.06 2.29 2.30 2.28 2.39Total cost/lb gainOff truck ($) .3880 .3809 .3840 .4076 .3545 .3742Pay wt ($) .4446 .4343 .4351 .4527 .3899 .4109Table 2. Feedlot performance of steers and heifers grazed at three stocking rates (SR) on rye-ryegrass pastures during 1998-99.ITEM LOWSR MEDIUMSR lllGHSRNumber 36 48 . 50Arrival date 5-19-99 5-19-99 5-19-99Feedlot arrival wt (lbs) 919 822 649Final feedlot wt (lbs) 1315 1263 1325Final pay wt (lbs) 1263 1213 1272Days on feed 131 131 175Total feedlot gain (lbs) 423 465 676Total pay wt gain (lbs) 343 391 604Average daily gainOff truck (Ibid) . 3.23 3.55 3.86Pay wt (Ibid) 2.62 2.98 3.45Feed:Gain-Off truck (dry) 5.82 5.33 5.33·Pay wt (dry) 7.17 6.35 5.96Avg consumption (Ibid) 23.94 24.12 26.28Avg daily intake (% BW) 2.19 2.37 2.74Total cost/lb gain-Off truck ($) .4110 .3730 .3530·Pay wt ($) .5061 .4441 .394920

https://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/bitstream/1969.1/189657/1/article189.pdf

Feedlot Performance of Steers and Heifers Grazed at Three Stocking Rates on Rye-Ryegrass Pastures

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Texas A&M University

Texas A&M Repository

Feedlot Performance of Steers and Heifers Grazed at Three Stocking Rates on Rye-Ryegrass Pastures

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Texas A&M University

Texas A&amp;M Repository

Texas A&M Repository