Effect of Physical Form of the Ration on Steer Performance and Certain Rumen Phenomena

Abstract

The results of three separate experiments dealing with the use of ground and pelleted rations for feeding beef cattle are reported. In the first experiment, Coastal Bermuda-grass (Cynodon dactylon) hay was compared in the long, ground, and pelleted forms as a wintering feed for beef calves. The calves on the ground hay consumed 24.8% more feed and gained 52.0% faster and those on the pellets consumed 32.0% more feed and gained 99.0% faster than did those on the long hay. A definite preference was displayed by the calves for the pelleted hay. In the other two experiments, a complete high-grain ration was compared in the conventional, ground, and pelleted forms for finishing steer calves. In both tests, those steers receiving their entire ration in the pelleted form consumed less total feed and gained slower than did those on either the conventional or ground ration. However, feeding approximately one and one-half pounds of oat straw per head daily caused calves receiving basic ration pellets in addition to consume 26.1% more pellets and to gain 37.2% faster than did those calves receiving pellets only. No normal rumination and cud chewing were noted among animals receiving pellets only or the completely ground ration. An abnormal rumen wall condition resulted among the last two groups. The condition was corrected by the feeding of straw. Significantly lower rumen pH levels were found among those steers receiving pellets only. An inadequate secretion of saliva is offered as an explanation of this phenomenon.