227 Evaluation of Beef Cattle Performance on Nontraditional Beef Cattle Finishing System Compared with Traditional Beef Cattle Finishing System

Abstract

Abstract While much research exists examining finishing cattle in conventional systems (confined cattle feeding, or feedlot systems), few data exist regarding finishing cattle in non-traditional systems, particularly in the micro-climates of the Gulf Coast. Non-traditional finishing systems feature additional variables and complexities versus feedlot finishing. The objective of this trial was to compare two non-traditional low input finishing cattle programs with a greater input traditional cattle finishing management program. Crossbred beef heifers [n = 12, initial body weight (BW) = 400 kg] were used to evaluate performance and cost of finishing beef cattle on limit-fed supplemental rations (CORN and SBH) compared with a totally mixed, free-choice ration (DIET). Animals were blocked by BW and randomly allotted to three treatments (CORN, n = 4; SBH, n = 4 and DIET n = 4). Two limit fed diets were combinations corn and a protein based mixing pellet (CORN) or soyhulls and a protein based mixing pellet (SBH), both fed at the rate of 1.9% of BW, while providing the heifers with free-choice access to bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) forage during the summer months; DIET was a more conventional total mixed ration that provided both the concentrate and roughage component and included corn, soyhull pellets, mixing pellet, and cotton gin motes. Cattle were finished for 132 (n = 6) or 174 d (n = 6) and harvested at the MSU Meat Laboratory in Starkville located 235 miles from the trial location. Data were analyzed using MIXED procedure of SAS By design, dry matter intake during the entire finishing phase was greater (P = < 0.0001) for the free-choice DIET (10.8 kg. per day), compared with the limit fed diets (8.5 and 8.4 kg. per day). Overall average daily gain (ADG) was similar (P= 0.10) between both limit-fed diets (0.99 and 0.98 kg. per day for CORN and SBH). Average daily gain of cattle fed DIET (1.14 kg. per day) tended to be greater (P < 0.06) than both CORN and SBH diets. No differences were noted in G:F at any point during the study (P > 0.20). No differences (P > .0.05) were evident for slaughter weight, hot carcass weight, shrink, and dressing percentage among treatments. Total cost of gain for CORN and SOY were $1.74 and $1.65 cents per kilogram compared with DIET of $1.74 cents per kilogram (P = 0.76). Results indicate limit fed CORN and SBH diets could be a viable option to finish beef just as efficiently as a greater roughage total mixed ration (DIET).