Performance Of Grazing Steers Research Articles

Frame Score, Grazing and Delayed Feedlot Entry Effect on Performance and Economics of Beef Steers from Small- and Large-Framed Cows in an Integrated Crop-Livestock System.

Simple SummarySmall-framed cows require less pasture forage per animal unit compared to their larger-framed counterparts. Small-framed cows whose mature size has been reduced by breeding moderate to large-framed cows to small-framed Aberdeen Angus (Lowline) sires produce progeny that are often subject to marketing bias within the USA marketing system, when they are sold at weaning as feeder cattle destined for feedlots (approximately seven months of age), because their post-weaning growth and efficiencies are less. In lieu of selling small-framed steers at weaning, delaying feedlot entry by retaining ownership of progeny through the wintering period followed by grazing a sequence of perennial and annual forages grown on marginal semi-arid cropland for 212 days before feedlot finishing is a management protocol that eliminates market bias. Extended grazing prepares small-frame steers for compensatory gain during feedlot finishing, reduces feedlot feeding days by 62.4%, improves growth, supports comparable feed efficiency, reduces finishing feed cost, reduces finishing feed cost per kg of gain, yields exceptional meat quality (97% Choice quality grade), and increases net return to the integrated system.When selling small-framed steers at weaning, profitability is diminished. The hypothesis is that by using a vertically integrated business model that includes retained ownership, extended grazing, abbreviated feedlot finishing, and selling at slaughter, profitability would increase. Crossbred yearling steers (n = 288) from small size Aberdeen Angus (Lowline) × Red Angus × Angus × Angus cows and moderate to large size Red Angus × Angus × Simmental × Gelbvieh cows calved May−June were randomly assigned (complete randomized design), in a 3 y study, to feedlot control (FLT) and extended grazing (GRZ) frame score treatment groups. Mean frame score for FLT were small frame (SF) 3.82 and large frame (LF) 5.63, and for GRZ, SF: 3.77 and LF: 5.53. Least-square means were utilized to identify levels of effects and to control family-wise error adjusted with Tukey test. The FLT control steers were housed in the feedlot and fed growing diets and subsequently high energy corn-based diets for 218 days. The GRZ steers grazed a sequence of forages (native range, field pea-barley mix, and unharvested corn) for 212 days and then were transferred to the feedlot and fed high energy corn-based finishing diets for 82 days. The SF GRZ steers grew more slowly grazing native range and annual forages compared to GRZ LF steers, but SF steer grazing cost per kg of gain was reduced 7.80%. Grazing steers did not grow to their full genetic potential. Slower growth during grazing allowed LF and SF steers to grow structurally before feedlot entry creating a compensatory feedlot finishing growth response. Overall, grazing steer performance exceeded steer performance of the FLT control treatment and LF grazing steers had the highest rate of gain, and lowest feed cost per kg of gain. The GRZ steer feedlot days on feed were reduced 136 days and total feed intake was reduced resulting in LF and SF grazing steer feed cost reductions of 175.9 and 165.3%, respectively. Extended grazing also resulted in LF and SF grazing steer hot carcass weights to be greater than control LF and SF steers and SF grazing steers had greater dressing percent, and marbling score. Carcass quality grade, meat tenderness, and cooking losses were similar. System net returns were highest for LF (USD 911.58), and SF (USD 866.61) grazing steers. Managerial modification combining retained ownership, extended grazing, and delayed feedlot entry increased profitability and eliminated market bias.

Efficacy of Hormonal Growth Promoter Implants on the Performance of Grazing Steers of Different Breeds in Southern Chile

Increasing demands for land is necessitating the optimisation of grazing land used for livestock production. Hormonal growth promoter implants (HGPI) are widely used to improve cattle performance and thus land-use efficiency. However, there is limited information on their efficacy in grazing systems. Forty grazing steers, 10 of each breed (Angus, Hereford, Holstein, Overo Colorado), had growth rates monitored for 85 days after which half received HGPI and half continued as a control. Growth rates were monitored for an additional 61 days and performance between the groups compared. Implants had a significant impact on liveweight gain (LWG; p = 0.013), and whilst breed did not (p = 0.65), there was an interaction effect of breed × treatment (p = 0.029). For three of the four breeds, the LWG was greater in the implant group (mean +14.3%). The exception was for Holstein steers which did not respond to the implant. In general, HGPI were found to be effective in increasing LWG of grazing cattle and thus has the potential to increase yield densities and relieve pressures of land use and competition. The efficacy may be affected by breed and other extraneous factors not covered in this study. Furthermore, the use of HGPI must be carefully considered in a wider context since its use might have secondary impacts.

66 Effect of Tillage System and Planting Date on Wheat Forage Production and Performance of Grazing Steers.

66 Effect of Tillage System and Planting Date on Wheat Forage Production and Performance of Grazing Steers.

65 Effect of Monensin Level on Mineral Intake and Performance of Grazing Steers.

65 Effect of Monensin Level on Mineral Intake and Performance of Grazing Steers.

Grazing steer performance in pure stands of dwarf elephant grass or mixed with Arachis pintoi

Grazing steer performance in pure stands of dwarf elephant grass or mixed with Arachis pintoi

Comparison of Interseeding Lespedeza with Additional Nitrogen Fertilization on Forage Production and Steer Performance in a Wheat-Crabgrass Grazing System

Grazing and subsequent finishing performance of steers (Bos taurus) grazed on a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-crabgrass [Digitaria ciliaris (Retz) Koel.] system were evaluated in 1999, 2000, and 2001 to compare interseeding lespedeza (Lespedeza stipulacea Maxim.) with an additional application of N fertilizer. Hard red winter wheat was no-till seeded in fall 1998, 1999, and 2000 in pastures previously seeded to ‘Red River’ crabgrass. In early spring 1999, 2000, and 2001, additional crabgrass seed was broadcast over all pastures, and Korean lespedeza was no-till seeded in 4 pastures. All pastures received similar applications of fertilizer; however, 3 pastures not seeded with lespedeza received an additional 56kg of N/ha in mid July. Wheat grazing was initiated in mid to late March of each year. Following wheat graze-out, cattle remained on the pastures and grazed crabgrass from mid May until early September. Legume cover, forage DM production, grazing steer performance, and subsequent finishing performance were measured. Available forage DM and grazing BW gains were similar (P > 0.05) between pastures fertilized with additional N and those interseeded with lespedeza. Although there were no treatment differences (P > 0.05), there were significant (P < 0.05) year effects on BW gains. Overall grazing ADG for the wheat-crabgrass system were 0.74, 1.02, and 0.99 kg/d during 1999, 2000, and 2001, respectively. Forage production, BW grazing gains, and subsequent finishing gains were similar (P > 0.05) when pastures in a wheat-crab-grass grazing system were interseeded with lespedeza or fertilized with additional N. However, there were significant (P < 0.05) treatment x year interactions during the finishing phase.

Interseeding lespedeza into crabgrass pasture versus additional nitrogen fertilization on forage production and cattle performance (2003)

A total of 160 steers grazed "˜Red River' crabgrass pastures that were either fertilized with additional nitrogen (N) or interseeded with lespedeza during the summers of 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001. Wheat was also grazed in 1999, 2000, and 2001 prior to crabgrass emergence. Legume cover, forage dry matter production, grazing steer performance, and subsequent feedlot performance were measured. Available forage dry matter and grazing steer performance were similar between pastures of crabgrass fertilized with additional N and those interseeded with lespedeza in 1998, 1999, and 2000. In 1999, finishing feed intake, finishing gain and ribeye area were higher (P<0.05) for steers that grazed pastures with lespedeza. In 2001, wheat grazing gain, overall grazing performance, finishing gain, and overall performance (grazing + finishing) were higher (P<0.05) for steers that grazed pastures fertilized with additional N. Total grazing gain per acre (wheat + crabgrass) was similar between pastures fertilized with additional N and those interseeded with lespedeza and averaged 304, 452, and 406 lb/acre in 1999, 2000, and 2001, respectively. In conclusion, the crabgrass wheat double-crop system produced satisfactory cattle performance with grazing gains being similar (P>0.05) between pastures fertilized with additional N and those interseeded with lespedeza. Therefore, economics rather than cattle performance would likely determine which option a producer might select. This study will be continued for three additional grazing seasons with no additional crabgrass being seeded to determine whether crabgrass will voluntarily re-seed itself sufficiently to sustain the system.

Effect of legume persistence in endophyte-infected tall fescue pastures on forage production and steer performance (2002)

A total of 135 steers grazed highendophyte tall fescue pasture in 1998, 1999, and 2000 that had been previously interseeded with either lespedeza, red clover, or ladino clover during 1995, 1996, and 1997. Legume cover, forage dry matter production, grazing steer performance, and subsequent feedlot performance were measured. Pastures interseeded with ladino clover produced higher stocker gains in 1998 and more available forage and legume cover in all 3 years than those interseeded with lespedeza or red clover. Legume treatment had little effect on subsequent finishing performance. Results of this study indicate that lespedeza and red clover should be seeded every year and ladino clover at least every 2 years in endophyte-infected tall fescue pasture in order to provide sufficient legume to improve performance of grazing cattle.

Effect of interseeding legumes into endophyte-infected tall fescue pastures on forage production and steer performance (1999)

A total of 135 steers grazed high-endophyte tall fescue pasture interseeded with either lespedeza, red clover, or ladino clover during 1995, 1996, and 1997. Legume cover, forage dry matter production, grazing steer performance, and subsequent feedlot performance were measured. Legume treatment caused no differences in forage availability. Grazing gains corresponded to the amount of legume coverage present. Results of this study indicate that interseeding high endophyte fescue pastures with ladino clover produced higher stocker gains during the grazing phase than interseeding with lespedeza or red clover. Legume treatment had no effect on subsequent finishing gains.

Forage quality and grazing steer performance from Tifton 85 and Tifton 78 bermudagrass pastures.

A new high-yielding bermudagrass hybrid, Tifton 85, produced 26% higher DM yield (P = .05) with 11% higher IVDMD (P = .05) than Coastal in two 3-yr yield trials. Tifton 78 and Tifton 85 were established in duplicate .81-ha pastures in 1988 and were grazed during 1989, 1990, and 1991 using a variable stocking rate method. Four tester steers per pasture with 269 kg initial BW grazed continuously for 169 d/yr beginning in April. Forage mass, targeted at 2,800 kg of DM/ha, was maintained by adjusting stocking rates at 14-d intervals to correspond with ground-level forage samples taken at 14-d intervals. Pastures received 84 kg of N/ha in March, June, and August of each year. Nutritive value was assessed using whole masticate samples from two esophageal cannulated steers grazing each pasture in late May, mid-July, or early September. The 3-yr mean masticate analyses revealed similar CP for Tifton 78 and Tifton 85 in May and July, but higher (P < .05) CP for Tifton 85 than for Tifton 78 in September. The IVDMD was higher (P < .05) in May and September for Tifton 85 than for Tifton 78; and, mean and medium particle sizes were greater (P < .05) for Tifton 85 than for Tifton 78 in May, July, and September samples.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of Bovatec on grazing steer performance (1982)

Effect of Bovatec on grazing steer performance (1982)

Effect of Ralgro and Compudose on grazing steer performance (1982)

Effect of Ralgro and Compudose on grazing steer performance (1982)

Performance of grazing steers as related to volatile fatty acid production after different lengths of in vitro fermentation.

Performance of grazing steers as related to volatile fatty acid production after different lengths of in vitro fermentation.

Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization of Festuca arundinacea Schreb. on Nitrate Nitrogen and Protein Content and the Performance of Grazing Steers1

AbstractRapid acceptance of N fertilizer and a concern for nitrate toxicity suggest a need to relate forage nitrate N content to the performance of cattle grazing fertilized grass pastures. The nitrate N and protein contents of Festuca arundinacea Schreb. pastures fertilized with 0, 84, and 168 kg/ha of N were studied. The average daily gain of grazing steers was measured during the sampling period. The nitrate N and protein contents increased, reached a peak shortly after the N was applied, and declined over the remainder of the sampling period. The maximum nitrate N content observed in tall fescue was approximately 0.18%. Average daily gain was not influenced statistically by increasing increments of N fertilizer up to 168 kg/ha. No other effects were observed.

Effect of Recovery Interval of Irrigated Forage on the Performance of Grazing Steers

Effect of Recovery Interval of Irrigated Forage on the Performance of Grazing Steers