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Finishing Beef Cattle on All-Concentrate Rations^{1, 2,}

North Carolina State University, Raleigh³

Abstract

There remains little doubt that beef cattle may be finished successfully on all-concentrate rations. Bodyweight gains comparable to those on conventional rations can be obtained. It logically follows that dressing percentage will be somewhat improved due to lack of "wastiness" in cattle receiving rations which are not bulky. Finished weights are reduced about 20 kg. by this system of feeding. Compared to cattle on more conventional feeding systems, the quantity of feed necessary per unit of gain is decreased by the use of high energy feeds and the attendant feed mixing and handling is reduced accordingly. The system also lends itself to mechanical handling of feed as well as taking advantage of the highly mechanized production of grains and the present low cost of nutrients from grains compared to roughages when these items must be purchased and transported.

On the other hand, it must be recognized that we do not really know why the animal fed an all-concentrate ration will limit its feed intake to an energy level comparable to that on a conventional ration or what can be done to increase consumption to take advantage of the "extra space" in the rumen resulting from the removal of roughage.

It seems logical and important to keep feed before the animals at all times with facilities that are conducive to frequent eating to minimize problems of bloat and founder. Best methods of getting animals on full feed and keeping them eating at optimum levels have not been fully investigated; however, a gradual change from a high roughage ration appears preferable to an abrupt change.

The last word has not been said regarding the use of buffers. Trace mineral and vitamin fortification as influenced by removal of roughage needs further investigation. Although liver abscesses may be prevented by low-level continuous feeding of a broad spectrum antibiotic, no product other than roughage has yet been discovered which will prevent rumen parakeratosis. Depending on the nature of the roughage it appears that about 10 to 15% is necessary to maintain a healthy rumen epithelium. More attention to feeding and management details is necessary with allconcentrate feeding programs and should be attempted only by those producers who are able and willing to give this attention.

In conclusion, it appears that all-concentrate feeding has many features which are attractive to cattle feeders but there are still many attendant problemsto be solved. Given time and research effort these problems will no doubt be solved and all-concentrate feeding of beef cattle will take its place along with other cattle feeding systems with economic factors determining the extent of its use.

¹ Invitational paper presented at the 59th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Animal Science, Reno, Nevada.

² Paper number 2500 of the Journal Series of the North Carolina State University Agricultural Experiment Station, Raleigh.

³ Animal Science Department.

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