Logan Thompson, sustainable grazing systems
As we move into winter, the likelihood of severe weather events impacting our ability to keep cattle fed on time increases. Mud and variable weather patterns also cause cattle to change their eating behavior, with more erratic consumption occurring around storm events. Alternatively, simple equipment failure may occur, where feed deliveries may be delayed for a short time until the issue can be resolved. These feeding interruptions impact all meal fed cattle, but for cattle on more energy dense rations, such as finishing animals, it is crucial to manage this period appropriately or long term impacts on performance and health can occur.
In previous research on finishing steers looking at fluctuations in timing of feed delivery, daily fluctuations in feed delivery time reduced average daily gain by 6.5% and feed:gain increased by 7% (Galyean et al. 1992). These changes are associated with numerous factors including a reduction in ruminal pH and competition at the bunk altering feeding behavior.
How we manage our feeding program through this time is critical to get cattle back up on feed and minimize any performance reductions we have. To do so, we need to be cognizant of a couple important details: 1) When did the event happen that caused cattle to reduce intake, and 2) How much were they consuming prior to the reduction in intake. The further out we are from the point in which the feeding interruption occurred, the less likely we are going to be able to recover their intake to previous levels and there will be reductions in performance at pen closeout. Additionally, we want to be very cautious with feed allotment during this process and not push cattle too fast trying to recover intakes.
A good recovery feeding program should be conservatively designed, and Table 1 outlines a program we used at the Kansas State University feedlot during the summer of 2025 in pens of 950 lbs. finishing heifers that had been on feed for 80 days. We experienced an electrical outage in pens containing Insentec feed bunks, which monitor animal intakes with gates that allow certain animals access to specific bunks. The outage caused the heifers to be without access to feed for about16 hours and occurred about 8 hours after the morning feeding. This resulted in approximately 30% of that day’s feed allotment of 2,500 lbs. not being consumed, meaning 750 lbs. of feed remained in the bunks the next morning. Further complicating the recovery was the fact that heifers had recently transitioned rations.
On the day after the event, we reduced the feed allotment by twice the amount of feed that remained in the bunk that morning (2 x 750 = 1,500 lbs.). Therefore, the fresh feed delivered was 1,000 lbs., resulting in a total of 1,750 lbs. of feed in the bunk (1,000 lbs. + 750 lbs. that had remained from the day before). The same amount that the heifers ate the day before. The second day, the bunks were slick, and the feed allotment was adjusted that day by adding 50% of the original reduction in feed allotment (1,500 x 0.50 = 750 lbs.) to the prior day’s 1,000 lbs. feed allotment, resulting in 1,750 lbs. of feed delivered that day. With another slick bunk on the third day, the heifers had now consumed 1,750 lbs. for 3 consecutive days. The feed allotment for that day was adjusted again, with 25% of the original reduction (1,500 x 0.25 = 375 lbs.) added to the prior day’s 1,750 lbs. of feed allotment, resulting in a total of 2,125 lbs. of feed delivered that day. We then observed for 2 consecutive days, as minor bloating had occurred on day 3, but still recorded slick bunks on both day 4 and day 5. On day 6, the remaining 25% of the original reduction (1,500 x 0.25 = 375 lbs.) was added to the prior day’s 2,125 lbs. feed allotment, resulting in 2,500 lbs. of feed delivered that day. Cattle were now back to consuming the same amount of feed as they were prior to the feed restriction.
Through this program, we did not observe any long-term morbidity or performance reductions in the impacted pens. However, this program is not guaranteed to always recover intakes and is not a rigid guideline. Using experience and understanding of how the cattle are recovering is critical. Good record keeping of bunk management and frequent observations of cattle health and eating behavior will aid in determining how and when to step up feed allotment.
Table 1. Recovery Feeding Program
| Day | Action |
| 0 | • 2500 lbs delivered
• electrical outage |
| 1 | • Feed Remaining in Bunk (750 lbs)
• Cut feed allotment by 2x the feed remaining – (2,500 – (2 x 750)) = 1,000 lbs of feed delivered; 1,750 lbs total in the bunk |
| 2 | • Slick Bunk
• Give 50% back – ((2500-1000) x 0.50) + 1,000 = 1,750 lbs. of feed delivered |
| 3 | • Slick Bunk
• Give 25% back – (1,750 + (0.25 x 1,500) = 2,125 lbs. of feed |
| 4 | • Slick Bunk
• Do not change – 2,125 lbs of feed |
| 5 | • Slick Bunk
• Do not change – 2,125 lbs of feed |
| 6 | • Slick Bunk
• Give remaining 25% back – (2,125 + (0.25 x 1,500) = 2,500 lbs. of feed • Now back on full feed |
References
Galyean, M. L., K. J. Malcolm-Callis, D. R. Garcia, and D. G. Pulsipher. 1992. Effects of varying the pattern of feed consumption on the performance of program-fed beef steers. Clayton Livestock Res. Center, Progress Rep. No 78. New Mexico State Univ. Clayton, N.M.
