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Effect of Level of Supplemental Energy Fed Grazing Steers on Performance during the Pasture and Subsequent Drylot Period¹

University of Florida Agricultural Research and Education Center, Belle Glade 33430

Abstract

Two experiments consisting of three trials each were conducted using 403 crossbred beef steers to determine the effect of feeding supplemental energy to grazing steers on growth and feed efficiency during the pasture and subsequent drylot periods. Energy supplement, consisting of approximately 15% crude protein and 2.9 Mcal/kg metabolizable energy, was fed at various rates from 0 to 10 lb (0 to 4.5 kg)/animal/day. St. Augustinegrass (Roselawn variety) pastures were stocked at the rate of 2.5 steers per acre (6.1 steers per hectare). Steers averaged 491 lb (223 kg) initially and were moved from pasture to drylot when each treatment group averaged a preselected weight of approximately 836 lb (380 kg). Steers were then fed a finshing ration ad libitum plus 2 to 5 lb (1 to 2 kg) Pangola digitgrass hay per head daily until they weighed approximately 1,020 lb (464 kg). Gains on pasture ranged from .84 lb (.38 kg)/animal/day for steers receiving no supplement to 1.47 lb (.67 kg)/animal/day for animals receiving 9 to 10 lb (4.1 to 4.5 kg)/animal/day of supplemental feed. Regression analyses showed that gains on pasture were closely related to amount of supplementation as shown by the equation: = .373 + .106X – .0094X², where = predicted rate of gain on pasture and X = amount of supplement, each in kg/animal/day. Drylot gains averaged 2.18 lb (.99 kg)/animal/day for all groups, and were nonsignificantly (P>.05) depressed by the amount of supplement fed on pasture as shown by the equation: = .998 – .01X. Results indicated that supplement fed on pasture did not affect carcass quality grade but increased dressing percent, fat over eye and decreased estimated percent yield.

¹ Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations, Journal Series No. 5907.