HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Young, L. G. Articles by Deans, R. J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Young, L. G. Articles by Deans, R. J.

Influence of Rate of Grain Feeding on Gain and Carcass Characteristics of Calves^{1, 2,}

Michigan State University, East Lansing

Abstract

Steer and heifer beef calves were each lot-fed similar total amounts of ground shelled corn at two different rates. Corn silage full-fed, protein supplement and hay were the other ration components. Cattle were slaughtered at "Low Choice" live grade and analyses were made of certain production factors and carcass characteristics.

With corn silage being full-fed, delaying the feeding of corn for 98 days, followed by full-feeding steers for 184 days and heifers for 162 days, did not appear to alter the total gain, feed efficiency, yield or quality of carcass, as compared with a continuous limited feed of 1.25 lb. of corn per cwt. body weight per day for steers during 275 days and heifers 231 days. There was no consistent difference due to treatment in the amount of fat in the 9-10-11 rib cut as determined by physical separation or chemical analysis. Reference is made to feeding corn more slowly for longer time in two previous tests of individual feeding where similar comparative results were found.

Specific gravity of the seven-rib wholesale cut was correlated (0.93) with specific gravity of the 9-10-11 rib cut. Also, the specific gravity of the seven rib wholesale cut was correlated (0.82) with the percent ether extract of the boneless 9-10-11 rib cut. These relationships indicate the possible use of specific gravity as a measure of fatness.

These tests indicated that when corn silage, properly supplemented, is full-fed to fattening calves, similar total amounts of ground shelled corn per head may be either limited-fed on the basis of body weight continuously after weaning, or full-fed after a strong growing period, to produce similar choice yearling carcasses. Quantities of corn for limited feeding and timing of full-feeding may be adjusted for desired marketing dates, as well as for silage and hay in the feed supply.

¹ Journal Article No. 2767, Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station.

² Appreciation is expressed to W. T. Magee and D. E. Ullrey for their assistance in statistical and chemical analyses of the data.

³ Present address—Montana State College. This paper reports a portion of the Ph.D. thesis presented by the senior author to the School of Advanced Graduate Studies at Michigan State University.