Abstract
Seventy-two steers grazing smooth bromegrass pastures were used to evaluate the effects of supplemental energy source on available forage, grazing gains, subsequent finishing gains, and carcass characteristics in 2014 and 2015. Supplementation treatments evaluated were: no supplement, a supplement with starch as the primary source of energy, and a supplement with fat as the primary source of energy. Supplements were formulated to provide the same quantity of protein and energy per head daily. Supplementation with the starch-based or fat-based supplement during the grazing phase resulted in higher (P 0.05) on finishing gain, feed intake, and feed:gain. Steers supplemented with the starch-based supplement had greater (P < 0.05) final finishing liveweight, and greater (P < 0.05) hot carcass weight than those that received no supplement. In 2015, steers supplemented with the fat-based supplement had higher (P < 0.05) final finishing liveweight and hot carcass weight and lower (P < 0.05) finishing gain than those supplemented with the starch-based supplement or fed no supplement.
Highlights
Supplementation of grazing cattle is most economically feasible when cattle prices are high relative to the price of grain
Several studies have evaluated the effect of supplementation on stocker cattle gains and forage utilization during the grazing phase, but few have evaluated the effects of supplementation during the grazing phase on subsequent finishing performance and carcass traits
A total of 144 steers grazing smooth bromegrass pastures were used to evaluate the effects of supplemental energy sources on available forage, grazing gains, subsequent finishing gains, and carcass characteristics in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017
Summary
A total of 144 steers grazing smooth bromegrass pastures were used to evaluate the effects of supplemental energy sources on available forage, grazing gains, subsequent finishing gains, and carcass characteristics in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. In 2015, steers supplemented with the fat-based supplement had greater (P < 0.05) grazing gains than those that received the starch-based supplement. Steers supplemented with the starch-based supplement had greater (P < 0.05) final finishing liveweight, and greater (P < 0.05) hot carcass weight than those that received no supplement. In 2015, steers fed the fat-based supplement had higher (P < 0.05) final finishing liveweight, greater (P < 0.05) hot carcass weight, and lower (P < 0.05) finishing gain than those supplemented with the starch-based supplement or fed no supplement. In 2016, steers fed the starch-based or fat-based supplement had greater (P < 0.05) hot carcass weight and higher (P < 0.05) marbling scores than those fed no supplement. Supplementation had no effect (P > 0.05) on finishing gains
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