Weaning Age and Source of Energy Influence Beef Cattle Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Economics
Weaning Age and Source of Energy Influence Beef Cattle Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Economics

Author: William T. Meteer

Publisher:

Published: 2011

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ISBN-13:

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Angus and Angus x Simmental calves (n=200) were randomly allotted to one of five dietary treatments at two locations: Early Wean Starch Diet (EWS), Early Wean Fiber Diet (EWF), Creep Fed Starch Diet (CFS), Creep Fed Fiber Diet (CFF), or Control (CON). Control calves were normal weaned and received no supplemental feed while they grazed with their dams. The diets fed to early-weaned and creep-fed cattle were formulated to be isonitrogenous. Early-weaned calves (133±21 days of age) were placed in the feedlot, while normal-weaned calves remained with their dams on pasture (2 or 3 replications per location). Creep feed was offered ad-libitum to CFS and CFF. After a 100 d treatment phase, calves were placed in the feedlot on a common diet. GrowSafe® was used to measure individual intake of all calves in the feedlot. In the treatment phase, early-weaned gained more than creep-fed (1.6 vs. 1.5 kg, P

An Evaluation of Weaning Strategies for Great Plains Cow-calf Producers
An Evaluation of Weaning Strategies for Great Plains Cow-calf Producers

Author: Eric Arthur Bailey

Publisher:

Published: 2013

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We evaluated effects of preconditioning on performance and health of beef calves raised and finished in the Great Plains. In experiment 1, calves were preconditioned for 0, 15, or 45 d and vaccinated against BRD-causing pathogens 14 d before maternal separation or after feedlot arrival. During receiving and finishing, preconditioned calves had greater DMI and ADG than non-preconditioned calves; however, timing of BRD vaccination did not affect animal health. In experiment 2, calves were vaccinated against BRD pathogens 0, 1, 2, or 3 times during a 30-d preconditioning program. Vaccination for BRD, regardless of degree, improved health during preconditioning; however, DMI, ADG, and G:F during preconditioning, receiving, and finishing were unaffected by degree of vaccination. In experiment 3, calves were preconditioned for 30 d, shipped 4 h to an auction facility, commingled for 12 h, and transported 4, 8, or 12 h to a feedlot. Feedlot performance and health of beef calves were not affected by transport of up to 12 h following auction-market commingling. In experiment 4, beef calves were subjected to 1 of 3 ranch-of-origin preconditioning programs: drylot weaning + abrupt dam separation, pasture weaning + fence-line contact with dams, and pasture weaning + fence-line contact with dams + supplemental feed delivered in a bunk. Drylot-weaned calves gained more weight during preconditioning. Unsupplemented, pasture-weaned calves had the least ADG during receiving but had greater ADG during finishing and had carcass characteristics similar to other treatments. In experiment 5, we evaluated performance of early-weaned beef calves fed grain-based diets with DMI adjusted to achieve ADG of 0.45, 0.91, or 1.36 kg/d during an 84-d growing period. Calves fed at restricted rates did not exhibit improved G:F relative to full-fed counterparts. In addition, there appeared to be limitations associated with predicting DMI and ADG of light-weight, early-weaned calves fed a grain-based diet.

Effects of Gestational Dietary Intake on Calf Growth and Early Feedlot Performance of Offspring
Effects of Gestational Dietary Intake on Calf Growth and Early Feedlot Performance of Offspring

Author: Jose Gardner

Publisher:

Published: 2017

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Fetal programming is a relatively new and quickly growing field of research in the livestock industry. The concept of fetal programming is simply defined as the effects a change in maternal nutritional intake has on offspring, whether it be a genetic or physical change. The intention of this study was to specifically look at the effects of nutrient restriction of cows during the second trimester of gestation on the growth and performance of the resulting calves. In this study, thirty-two cows of predominantly angus influence from the Utah state university herd were chosen, naturally bred to a pure bred angus sire, and then allocated into two treatments: maintenance and restricted. These groups were treated uniformly for first and third trimesters of gestation, while in the second trimester, they were managed in a way that the maintenance group maintained a greater level of body condition and weight compared with the restricted group. Calf growth and performance was measured and compared for effects of fetal programming. Previous studies in beef found positive effects on carcass characteristics. However, little work has been done to ensure that fetal programming is not detrimental to calves early in life. Though this study did find that nutrient restriction resulted in more excitable cattle, no negative effects caused by programming were found in growth and performance of the offspring.

Effect of Phenotypic Characteristics and Preconditioning Gain on Feedlot Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Beef Cattle
Effect of Phenotypic Characteristics and Preconditioning Gain on Feedlot Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Beef Cattle

Author: Jesse Dan Savell

Publisher:

Published: 2008

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Calves that gained more weight during preconditioning had larger REA but smaller REA/100kg values. As estimated Brahman percentage increased HCW and quality grade (QG) decreased. Differences in condition score resulted in heavier HCW for slightly thin and average condition calves when compared to slightly fleshy calves. Slightly thin calves had lower REA/100kg than average condition and slightly fleshy calves. Steers had heavier HCW than heifers and reported smaller REA/100kg values than heifers. Black cattle had lighter HCW than yellow, grey, and white cattle. Black and grey cattle had better QG than red and yellow cattle. Red and yellow cattle had similar QG, while white cattle were intermediate to all other colors and similar. Black cattle had a greater YG and smaller REA than all other colors evaluated. Black cattle had smaller REA/100kg values than yellow and grey calves but were similar to red and white cattle. Color pattern had no significant affect on any of the carcass traits measured indicating that cattle perform similarly for carcass characteristics regardless of color pattern. Shedding characteristics had no significant affect on any of the carcass traits measured in this study.