Pen Density and Straw Bedding During Feedlot Finishing

Authors

Terry L. Mader, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Sheryl L. Colgan, Haskell Agricultural Laboratory/Northeast Research and Extension Center, Concord

Date of this Version

January 2007

Comments

Published in 2007 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. Copyright © 2006 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

Two experiments evaluated effects of straw bedding (in sheltered and unsheltered facilities) and pen density (in unsheltered facilities) on cattle performance during winter/spring (mid-December to late March) seasons. Bedding had no effect on overall performance in the sheltered facilities, but performance improvements were noted from December through February in unsheltered facilities. Lowering pen density(increasing pen space per animal) improved performance and lowered mud condition scores on the animal and in the feedlot.