Objective:The objective of our experiment was to determine if bunk allotments of 6, 10, 14, or 18 in per head in pens containing 18 to 28 head impacts growth performance of growing calves limit-fed a high-energy diet based on corn and corn co-products. Continue reading “Restricting Bunk Space Allotments to 6 or 10 Inches has Minimal Impact on Growth Performance in Limit-Fed Receiving Cattle”
Tag: limit-feeding
Effects of Dietary Energy Concentration and Feed Intake on Growth Performance of Newly Received Growing Cattle Fed Diets Based on Corn and Corn Co-Products
Objective:This study’s focus was to evaluate if feeding equal amounts of energy from a high-energy limit-fed diet has an effect on growth performance of growing beef cattle when compared to traditional high-roughage ad libitum diets. Continue reading “Effects of Dietary Energy Concentration and Feed Intake on Growth Performance of Newly Received Growing Cattle Fed Diets Based on Corn and Corn Co-Products”
Thoughts on Going to Grass in 2023
Dale Blasi, Stocker, Forages, Nutrition and Management specialist and Justin Waggoner, Beef Systems Specialist, Garden City
As the 2023 grazing season approaches, stocker operators might consider various strategies to protect their risks against the market and drought conditions.
If not already accomplished, producers are making their cattle purchase decisions for their intended pasturing needs. Based on historical stocking rates and the need to adjust according to existing pasture conditions from drought, producers will attempt to purchase the number as well as the size and type of the calf that can be “bought for the money.”
- Pre-grass feeding strategy considerations
Producers who already have purchased calves for grass are either backgrounding calves in a holding pattern or minimally managing them on dormant winter grass in anticipation of the opportunity to exploit compensatory gain that can be realized when cattle are placed on actively growing native pastures in April or early May.
A research trial (Anglin et al., 2008) was conducted in 2007 at the KSU Beef Stocker Unit to evaluate the long-term effects of limit feeding on subsequent performance on native pasture. The takeaway from this trial was that limit-feeding 2.25% in the dry lot before going to grass decreased feed costs. Calves that were limit fed experienced higher daily gains during the subsequent grazing period at a lower cost per pound of gain. Calves limit-fed during the background phase gained 15 pounds more than the free-choice-fed steers.
- Know the variation in weight of your calves going to grass
There may be a 250 to 300 pounds range in the lightest to the heaviest calf in a set of calves going to grass. Under the prospects of rapidly diminishing forage production from drought, producers could consider pulling the heavier calves from the grass at midseason and going either to market or beating the rush of calves headed to feed yards. Over the years, KSU has evaluated this practice (Owensby et al., 2008; Harmoney and Jaeger, 2011 and 2015) and have concluded that this modification of intensive early stocking improves flexibility for drought conditions. If producers have the capability to individually weigh animals; identifying the heaviest cattle within a group (different tag color) prior to turnout will make gathering and removing these cattle from pastures considerably easier.
- Feed and mineral inputs are exceptionally expensive this year; be prudent with their use
The consumption of self-fed mineral supplements should be closely monitored. Excessive consumption is often the result of the animal’s desire for additional salt. For example, if a complete mineral supplement costs around $500 with a labeled consumption of 4 ounces/head/day over 90 days, this calculated cost is about 5.63 dollars per head with no labor for pasture delivery included. If mineral consumption is excessive (6 ounces rather than the bag recommendation of 4), the actual cost will be $8.45/head.
If the value of gain is less than the cost of implementing a mineral supplementation program, producers may opt to provide only salt blocks. Previous research (Weibert et al., 2018) showed a reduction of daily gain of .1/lb/day when providing salt blocks vs. a complete mineral.
Options for managing cows through the winter with limited forages
by Jaymelynn Farney, beef systems specialist, Parsons, KS
The drought that plagued most of the state through the previous winter and this summer was a perfect storm that has some operations concerned about forages for this winter. There are areas that have limited pasture growth and even with some of the recent rains, the rain may be too late or insufficient to change the pasture situation. Through last winter, around the nation, there were producers that fed more hay than typical and that has used up a significant amount of hay reserves. Given all these factors, cattle producers need to find alternative feedstuffs to maintain current cow numbers. This article will address a few things to think about when trying to stretch forages. Continue reading “Options for managing cows through the winter with limited forages”
Restricting Intake and Increasing Energy Improves Efficiency in Newly Received Growing Cattle and Zelnate Has No Effect
Objectives: Study effects of two limit-fed diets formulated to provide two levels of dietary energy and offered at two different intake rates to target similar gains and analyze the efficacy of a novel DNA-immunostimulant administered on arrival.
Study Description: A 56-day pen study was conducted utilizing 370 Angus × Brahman heifers shipped from Florida (1,455 mi) to study the effects of limit-feeding at 2 intakes based on prior research conducted at the Kansas State University Beef Stocker Unit, Manhattan, KS, to achieve similar gains and effects of Zelnate under the dietary conditions. Continue reading “Restricting Intake and Increasing Energy Improves Efficiency in Newly Received Growing Cattle and Zelnate Has No Effect”
Limit-feeding high-energy diets based on fermentable fiber for weaned and newly arrived calves offers numerous advantages
by Dale Blasi, Extension Livestock Specialist, and T.J. Spore
Many producers have used limit- or programmed-feeding in the past with success, especially during periods of drought when forage is not adequate. In a nutshell, limit- or program-feeding refers to the practice of limiting calves to two-thirds to three-quarters of the dry matter that they can normally consume. This feeding strategy varies greatly with traditional management where calves generally have free-choice access to forage. Traditionally, limit-fed diets have consisted of 80 to 85% whole shelled corn and the remaining balance as a protein supplement. The total amount of the ration delivered is increased every two weeks or so to account for increased body weight gain based upon the desired level of gain.
