Increasing days on feed for heavy short-fed yearling stocker cattle improves carcass characteristics

Authors

A. Stickel
Terry A. Houser
K. C. Olson
B. Gerlach
B. Goehring
A. Pacheco
M. Macek
G. Parsons
K. Miller
L.K. Thompson
S. James

Keywords

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station contribution; no. 11-171-S; Report of progress (Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service); 1047; Cattlemen's Day, 2011; Beef; Stocker cattle; Carcass characteristics; Performance; Dried distillers grains

Abstract

With increasing feed costs, producers may be able to utilize forage resources to help cattle gain weight before entering a high-concentrate finishing phase. In theory, heavy stocker cattle need less time on feed before slaughter compared to lighter weight cattle; however, research determining the impact of a short feeding system on product quality is limited. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to investigate the impact of a shortened, high-concentrate feeding period on carcass characteristics and meat quality traits of heavy yearling stocker cattle.

Recommended Citation

Stickel, A.; Houser, Terry A.; Olson, K. C.; Gerlach, B.; Goehring, B.; Pacheco, A.; Macek, M.; Parsons, G.; Miller, K.; Thompson, L.K.; and James, S. (2011) "Increasing days on feed for heavy short-fed yearling stocker cattle improves carcass characteristics," Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 0: Iss. 1. https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.2924