Feed Efficiency is Better and Activity is Greater in Growing Cattle Limit-Fed a High-Energy Diet During the Growing Phase Compared to a Traditional Roughage-Based Diet Fed for Ad Libitum Intake

Authors

M. A. Scilacci, Kansas State UniversityFollow
E. C. Titgemeyer, Kansas State University, ManhattanFollow
S. P. Montgomery, Corn Belt Livestock Services, Papillion, NE
T. J. Spore, Kansas State UniversityFollow
A. J. Tarpoff, Kansas State UniversityFollow
T. G. O'Quinn, Kansas State UniversityFollow
W. R. Hollenbeck, Kansas State University, ManhattanFollow
D. A. Blasi, Kansas State UniversityFollow

Keywords

Limit feeding, growing cattle, growth performance

Abstract

The objective of this experiment was to compare performance impacts of a high-energy diet limit-fed at 2.2% of body weight (BW) daily on a dry matter (DM) basis to a traditional roughage-based diet fed for ad libitum intake during the growing phase.

Study Description: Three hundred seventy crossbred heifers (initial BW = 496 ± 44 lb) were used in a receiving and growing study at the Kansas State University Beef Stocker Unit in the spring of 2020. Animals were fed once daily at 7:00 a.m. Bunks were visually observed, and feed refused was estimated. Ad libitum feed refusal was targeted at 20 lb. A pen scale was used to measure weekly pen BW, adjust feed offerings, and to calculate pen performance.

The Bottom Line: Growing heifers limit-fed a high-energy diet at 2.2% of BW daily on a DM basis had 35% better feed efficiency and were more active by 23 minutes per day, on average, than heifers full-fed a traditional roughage-based diet.

Recommended Citation

Scilacci, M. A.; Titgemeyer, E. C.; Montgomery, S. P.; Spore, T. J.; Tarpoff, A. J.; O'Quinn, T. G.; Hollenbeck, W. R.; and Blasi, D. A. (2022) "Feed Efficiency is Better and Activity is Greater in Growing Cattle Limit-Fed a High-Energy Diet During the Growing Phase Compared to a Traditional Roughage-Based Diet Fed for Ad Libitum Intake," Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 8: Iss. 1. https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.8225