Economics of backgrounding calves on Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) pastures in the Aspen Parkland

Abstract

Annual ryegrass or Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) can be used to improve pasture productivity through extension of the grazing season in the Aspen parkland of western Canada. A study conducted at Agriculture and Agri Food Canada Melfort, SK. and Lacombe, AB, showed that weaned calves could successfully graze Italian ryegrass late into the fall as part of the overall backgrounding system. Spring-seeded annual Italian ryegrass produced between 4300 and 6700 kg total dry matter per hectare across all sites and had an average crude protein content of 184 g kg-1 and in vitro DM digestibility of 640 g kg-1. Spring calves were early weaned in late August or conventionally weaned in October and backgrounded on Italian ryegrass pasture or a silage-based ration in drylot pens. The cost of growing Italian ryegrass was $339 ha-1 resulting in a grazing cost per day of $0.31–$0.68 depending upon the number of grazing days per ha. There were no differences in performance of animals backgrounded on Italian ryegrass pasture compared with those backgrounded in the feedlot. The total cost per head for backgrounding early-weaned calves on Italian ryegrass and finished in a feedlot was $398 compared with $429 for early-weaned calves backgrounded and finished in a feedlot, while conventionally weaned calves backgrounded and finished in a feedlot cost $418. Backgrounding calves on Italian ryegrass pasture reduced the number of days in the feedlot along with the associated cost of yardage and stored feed. Backgrounding calves in a feedlot had a yardage charge of $0.40 or higher, which added a cost in addition to stored feed costs of the ration. Backgrounding calves on extended season grazing of Italian ryegrass reduced health problems due to elimination of mixing animals in feedlot pens, less need for stored feed including storage and feeding losses and less labour to feed the cattle and haul manure in the spring. Backgrounding calves on high-quality fall pasture was more economical than backgrounding in a feedlot system. Key words: Background, steer, pasture, economics