Phosphorus Requirement of Finishing Feedlot Calves

Authors

• Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Todd Milton, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Dennis R. Brink, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Michael Orth, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich.
• Kim Whittet, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Date of this Version

January 2002

Comments

Published in 2002 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. Copyright © 2001 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

Feedlot calves were individually fed to determine the phosphorus required for optimum performance during a 204-day experiment. The base diet consisted of high-moisture corn and corn starch/fiber with P treatments of 0.16, 0.22, 0.28, 0.34, and 0.40% of diet DM. Calves fed 0.16% P had the lowest plasma P but it was adequate (5.7 mg/dL). Bone mineral was not influenced by treatment, suggesting that dietary P was adequate to meet performance needs. Supplementation of P is unnecessary because requirements are less than 0.16% of the diet DM.