Compensatory Growth Response and Breakeven Economics of Yearling Steers on Grass

Authors

D. J. Jordon, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Todd Milton, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Rob Cooper, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Date of this Version

January 2000

Comments

Published in Nebraska Beef Cattle Report 2000, published by Agricultural Research Division, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension, and Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Abstract

A trial was conducted to evaluate compensatory growth in yearling cattle while on summer pasture, following variations of winter feed restriction. Winter gains were FAST, FAST/SLOW, SLOW/FAST, and SLOW. No summer gain differences were found among restricted cattle (FAST/SLOW, SLOW/ FAST, or SLOW); however, gains were increased on grass compared to steers on the FAST treatment. SLOW cattle compensated 17.4% during grazing. FAST steers had lower slaughter breakevens compared to SLOW (64.05 vs 66.94 $/cwt, respectively). Due to little compensation by steers on the SLOW treatment, steers on the FAST treatment had heavier slaughter weights resulting in lower slaughter breakevens.