Effects of Feed Intake Variation on Acidosis and Performance of Finishing Steers

Authors

Rob Cooper, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Rick Stock, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Cal Parrott, Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN
Dan Herold, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Date of this Version

January 1998

Comments

Published in Nebraska Beef Cattle Report 1998, published by Agricultural Research Division, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension, and Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Abstract

Four metabolism and two finishing trials were conducted to determine the effects of imposed feed intake variation on acidosis and performance of finishing steers. In metabolism trials, intake variation of 3 lb DM/day increased acidosis of limit-fed steers as measured by ruminal pH. However, when steers were fed at ad libitum levels of intake, intake variation of up to 4 lb DM/day did not increase acidosis. In finishing trials, imposed intake variation of 4 lb DM/day neither decreased daily gain nor feed efficiency of steers fed at ad libitum levels of intake.