Department of Animal Science
Date of this Version
2008
Citation
The Professional Animal Scientist 24 (2008):411–419
Abstract
A 2-yr study (200 steers/yr) was conducted to evaluate effects of grazing management and sorting by BW at feedlot entry on performance and economics of yearling steers. At receiving, steers (247 ± 21 kg) were randomly allotted to 1 of 2 treatments: low (0.75 kg/d, NORM) or high (0.90 kg/d, INT) gains during backgrounding. After wintering, NORM and INT grazed native range for 128 and 78 d, respectively. At feedlot entry, steers were randomly allotted to 1 of 2 treatments: sorted by BW (25% heavy, 50% medium, or 25% light; SORT) or unsorted (UNSORT). Heavy, medium, light, and UNSORT steers were fed for 78, 100, 115, and 92 d, respectively. At feedlot entry, NORM was 10 kg heavier than INT (P < 0.01); however, final BW was not different (P = 0.52). Compared with INT, NORM had increased (P < 0.01) marbling scores; however, NORM had smaller LM area (P < 0.01). At the end of the winter period (P < 0.01) and at harvest (P < 0.01), NORM was more profitable. However, INT was more profitable at the end of summer grazing (P < 0.01). Sorting increased final BW (P = 0.02) due to increased days fed (P < 0.01). Sorting reduced overweight carcasses by 8.1 percentage units (P < 0.01). Sorting produced no significant difference in profitability (P = 0.13). In this study, management of steers before feedlot entry affected subsequent performance and profitability. Additionally, SORT increased final BW and reduced overweight carcasses but did not change profitability.
Comments
Copyright 2008 American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists