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Rate of Feed Consumption and Body Weight of Beef Cattle

U. S. Department of Agriculture

Abstract

The rate of feed consumption was studied for 12 individually ad libitum fed beef steers ranging from 532 to 1306 lb. in weight. Rations offered varied in physical form and roughage content. Variation due to the regression (b=0.007) of rate of feed consumption upon body weight was significant (where b=change in lb. of feed consumed per hr. spent at the feeder per lb. increase in body weight). Regressions by ration were significant for the ground 89%-hay ration (b=0004) and the pelleted 89%-hay ration (b=0.011. The slopes were different for the two treatments. Variation due to regression (b=0.006) approached significance for the pelleted and ground 25%-hay rations. The data indicate that weight is directly related to the speed with which feed is consumed and that the type of ration offered may affect that relationship.

¹ Beef Cattle Research Branch, Animal Husbandry Research Division, ARS, Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, Maryland.

² Biometrical Services, ARS, Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, Maryland.