Supplemental Lysine in Finishing Cattle Diets

Authors

Hanna Cronk, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Zac Carlson, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Mitch Norman, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Levi McPhillips, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Andrea Watson, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Gary Ducharme, PROJ-X, INC.

Date of this Version

2023

Citation

2023 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

UNL Beef, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Abstract

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of increasing lysine supply in finishing beef cattle diets. Crossbreed steers (n=120, BW=577 ± 2 lb) were individually fed using a Calen Gate system for 195 days. Animals received a common finishing diet (63% corn, 15% corn silage and 15% distillers grains) with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 g per day of supplemental rumen bypass lysine. High levels of lysine (5 or more g per day) in the diet decreased dry matter intake, carcass adjusted body weight with no impact on carcass adjusted feed efficiency. Hot carcass weight decreased as supplemental lysine increased in the diet with no impact on other carcass performance parameters. In conclusion, there were no improvements in performance as supplemental lysine increased in finishing beef cattle diets.