Response of beef steers to diets based on big-bale silage supplemented with molassed sugar beet feed and two levels of fishmeal

Abstract

Earlier work (Rouzbehan et al, 1991) has shown that supplementation of baled silage with molassed sugar beet feed (MSBF, 60 g/kg fresh weight) improved live weight gain (LUG) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) in sheep. It has been established that the protein in silage is not utilised as effectively by beef cattle as the protein in non-fermented forages (Thomas, 1982). Responses in the performance and carcass composition of finishing steers and heifers when silage-based diets have been supplemented with protein have proved to be variable. This trial was therefore carried out to examine the effects of feeding two levels of a protein supplement, fishmeal, in addition to MSBF, on the performance of beef steers fed big-bale silage ad libitum and to assess the nutritional value of such supplementation.