Interaction of Backgrounding System and Implant Use on Growing Calf Performance

Authors

Sydney T. Vanderhoff, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Braden C. Troyer, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Rebecca L. McDermott, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Mitchell M. Norman, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Brandon L. Nuttelman, Merck Animal Health
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Mary E. Drewnoski, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
James C. MacDonald, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2025

Citation

2025 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report, pages 28-32

University of Nebraska Extension, 2025

Comments

Copyright 2025, Board of Regents, University of Nebraska. Used by permission

Abstract

Summary with Implications

A two-year study utilized 480 weaned steers each year targeted to gain either 1 or 2 lb/d during the winter followed by ad libitum forage intake during the summer to determine the effects of winter rate of gain and implant strategy during the winter backgrounding and summer phases on steer performance, forage intake, and compensatory gain. During the winter, steers received a Revalor-G or no implant. In the summer, steers either received a Revalor-IS or no implant. The use of Revalor-G and increased rate of gain during the winter backgrounding phase had additive effects to increase animal performance during the winter phase. Steers which achieved a lower rate of gain in the winter consumed more DMI as a % of their BW during the summer phase, suggesting increased intake is an important compensation mechanism. On average, steers fed to target 1 lb/d ADG during the winter and only received one implant throughout both the winter and summer phases compensated 22% during the summer while steers receiving 2 implants compensated 9% compared to steers fed to target 2 lb/d during the winter. Use of implants during the backgrounding phase is a viable strategy to improve animal performance and limit subsequent losses in performance due to compensation.