Research Results are Dependent on Accurate Cattle Weights

Authors

Andrea K. Watson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Brandon L. Nuttelman, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Terry J. Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Cody J. Schneider, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Date of this Version

2012

Comments

Published in 2012 Beef Cattle Report (2012) p. 45-46. Copyright © 2012 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

The goal of limit feeding is to reduce variability in rumen fill at weighing. The amount of rumen fill varies by diet. Cattle included in this study were grazing cornstalks, smooth bromegrass pasture, or in a drylot and fed a forage and modified distillers grains (MDGS) mix. Cattle were limit fed for at least three days and then weighed on two or three consecutive days to obtain a beginning BW. Full weights of individuals were +99 to -86 lb compared to their limit fed weights. The correlation between two-day weights after limit feeding were greater than 0.9, and greater than correlation between full and limit fed weights. We conclude that limit-fed weights are more accurate than full weights.