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Environmental Implications in Economy of Gain in Feedlot Cattle^{1, 2,}

Iowa State University 50010

Abstract

A Discussion of several environmental factors known or suspected to affect economy of gain is presented. Specifically it was shown that overhead shelter for feedlot cattle in Iowa permitted faster gains in winter (0.17 kg/day) and in summer (0.07 kg/day), and more economical gains in winter (13%; 9.15 vs. 10.52 kg of feed per kg of gain) and in summer (4%; 8.75 vs. 9.11 kg). Water consumption was greater for non-sheltered cattle (32.6 vs. 30.1 liters/day) in summer but did not differ in winter. Reasons for considering confinement feeding of cattle are presented and gain data on confinement are discussed briefly. Data on the effects of shipping feeder cattle prior to entering the feedlot and the makeup of the weight loss during shipment are presented. Over 50% of the loss in weight was shown to be due to tissue shrink. Feedlot social pressure as reflected by weight gains during the first 56 days of feeding and the relationship of these gains with subsequent gains when steers were removed from or left in their original lot is also discussed. Rate of gain and carcass data are presented for both the "slow" and "fast" gaining cattle in these studies. A statement alluding to present and future research needs and approaches to those needs is included.

¹ Journal Paper No. J-6741 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames, Iowa, Project No. 1801.

² Invitational paper presented at the symposium, "Factors Affecting Economy of Gain in Feedlot Cattle." 62nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Animal Science, August 3, 1970, Pennsylvania State University.