Effects of Alternative Feed Timing on Growth Performance and Water Usage of Growing Beef × Dairy Heifers Fed a High Roughage Diet

Authors

Clayton H. Stoskopf, Kansas State University
Colton D. Weir, Kansas State University
W. Cole Ellis, Kansas State University
Taylor A. Rowe, Kansas State University
William R. Hollenbeck, Kansas State UniversityFollow
A. J. Tarpoff, Kansas State UniversityFollow
Dale A. Blasi, Kansas State UniversityFollow

Keywords

heifers, feeding time, ad libitum

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feed delivery time on growth performance and water usage of growing cattle on high-roughage diets fed ad libitum during periods of heat stress.

Study Description: A total of 260 black-hided, dairy-derived beef heifers were blocked by weight, stratified within block, and randomly assigned to 20, 13-head pens. Pens were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: 7:00 a.m. or 7:00 p.m. feed delivery of a diet formulated to provide 50 Mcal of net energy for gain per 100 lb of dry matter for ad libitum intake. Heifers were fed once daily, targeting 10% daily feed refusals for an 84-day period. Water usage was recorded using meters attached to each water unit.

The Bottom Line: Delivering feed at 7:00 p.m. did not improve growth performance compared to 7:00 a.m. feedings, but the later feeding time did decrease water usage in growing heifers during an 84-day feeding period.

Recommended Citation

Stoskopf, Clayton H.; Weir, Colton D.; Ellis, W. Cole; Rowe, Taylor A.; Hollenbeck, William R.; Tarpoff, A. J.; and Blasi, Dale A. (2026) "Effects of Alternative Feed Timing on Growth Performance and Water Usage of Growing Beef × Dairy Heifers Fed a High Roughage Diet," Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 12: Iss. 1.