Agricultural Research Division of IANR
Date of this Version
2009
Citation
Proceedings, Western Section, American Society of Animal Science Vol. 60, 2009
Abstract
Cow-calf pairs, grazing native range, from the NDSU-Dickinson RE Center and the SDSU-West River Ag Center (n = 159) were used to evaluate weaning date and backgrounding method. Treatments were: 1) Normal Wean (Jun-Nov) - feedlot direct (NWFLT), 2) Early Wean (Aug) – feedlot direct (EW-FLT), 3) Early Wean (Aug) - grazed dryland unharvested corn (Aug-Nov) - feedlot (EW-CN), and 4) Normal wean (Nov) - grazed dryland unharvested corn (Nov-Dec) - feedlot (NW-CN). Feedlot arrival date for finishing at the UNL-Panhandle RE Center feedlot, Scottsbluff, NE was staggered. Harvest end point was based on ultrasound BF depth. Mean differences were determined using the SAS MIXED procedure. For backgrounding, EWCN and EW-FLT steer growth was similar and more rapid [(Gain: (P = 0.043) and ADG: (P = 0.004)] than NW-FLT and NW-CN. The EWCN system COG of $1.05/kg was lowest when compared to $1.31, $3.77, and $1.37/kg for the NW-FLT, NW-CN, and EW-FLT, respectively. Stockpiling corn resulted in excessive crop shrink (P = 0.013) reducing days of grazing by 70%. Backgrounding net returns/steer were $87.50, -$33.38, $104.58, and $69.56 for the NW-FLT, NW-CN, EW-CN and EW-FLT, respectively. For finishing, EW-FLT steers grew slower (P = 0.0011), consumed less DM/d (P = 0.0001), were more efficient (P = 0.008), and COG was lower (P = 0.0002). Carcass closeout values for HCW, FD, dressing %, and YG did not differ; however, EW-FLT steer carcasses had smaller REA (P = 0.053), greater marbling score (P = 0.0005), and numerically greater % Choice quality grade (P = 0.11). EW-FLT steers placed directly in the feedlot at weaning were associated with lower placement cost, more DOF (P = 0.0001), and higher feed and yardage costs. Net return to finishing of $39.62 per head for the EW-FLT was greater, when compared to $3.11, -$84.06, and $0.16 for the NW-FLT, NW-CN, and EW-CN, respectively. Experimental results suggest that greatest beef systems net return will be obtained when EW steers graze dryland unharvested corn and are sold at the end of backgrounding; however, when held through final harvest, early weaning and direct feedlot placement were associated with greatest net return.
Comments
Used by permission