Dietary Management for Starting Finishing Yearling Steers on Feed

Authors

Burt Weichenthal, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Ivan G. Rush, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Brad Van Pelt, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Date of this Version

1-1-1999

Comments

Published in 1999 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. Published by Agricultural Research Division & University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension , Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Abstract

Angus crossbred yearling steers were started on a finishing program with diets stepped-up in grain over 23 days or with limit-feeding of the final diet over three weeks. Limit-feeding during start-up improved overall feed efficiency, carcass dressing percentage and fat thickness, but did not affect daily gain or carcass quality and yield grades. In this small pen research trial, steers reached ad libitum intake of the final diet by limit-feeding of this diet during start-up without major problems from acidosis or related intake variation.