Journal of Animal Science, Vol 68, Issue 10 3086-3095, Copyright © 1990 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Effects of feeding growing cattle high-concentrate diets at a restricted intake on feedlot performance

S. C. Loerch
Dept. of Anim. Sci., Ohio State University, Wooster 44691.

Three trials were conducted to compare effects of restricted intake of high-concentrate diets vs ad libitum intake of corn silage diets during the growing phase on feedlot cattle performance. In Trial 1, 120 steers (initial BW, 246 kg) were fed 1) a corn silage-based diet ad libitum, 2) a high-moisture corn-corn silage-based diet with intake restricted to a level 20% less than that of the corn silage diet or 3) a high-moisture corn-based diet with intake restricted to a level 30% less than that of the corn silage diet. Steers fed the 20% restricted corn-corn silage-based diet tended (P = .07) to gain slower than those fed the corn silage or 30% restricted high-concentrate diet. Feed efficiency and diet digestibility were greatest for steers fed the 30% restricted-intake, high-concentrate diet (P less than .01). Performance of steers during the subsequent 118-d finishing period was not affected (P greater than .65) by source of energy during the growing period. In Trial 2, ADG of steers fed the 30% intake-restricted, high-concentrate diet was lower (P less than .01) than that of steers with ad libitum access to corn silage. During the 84-d growing period, steers fed supplemental blood meal had 8.3% greater gains and a 6% greater efficiency of feed use than those fed supplemental soybean meal (P less than .01). Monensin did not affect (P = .82) performance of steers fed 30% restricted-intake diets. During the 76-d finishing period, gains and feed conversion were improved (P less than .01) for steers fed the restricted-intake diet in the growing period compared with those given ad libitum access to corn silage. During the growing period in Trial 3, ADG of steers restricted-fed an all-concentrate diet were slightly greater (P less than .10) than ADG of those given ad libitum access to corn silage. Gains did not differ (P = .37) during the subsequent finishing period when steers were switched to 85 or 100% concentrate diets. We concluded that intake of all concentrate diets can be restricted to achieve gains equal to those of steers given ad libitum access to corn silage-based diets without detrimental effects on finishing performance.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. M. Greter, T. J. DeVries, and M. A. G. von Keyserlingk Nutrient Intake and Feeding Behavior of Growing Dairy Heifers: Effects of Dietary Dilution J Dairy Sci, July 1, 2008; 91(7): 2786 - 2795. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. C. Hoffman, C. R. Simson, and M. Wattiaux Limit Feeding of Gravid Holstein Heifers: Effect on Growth, Manure Nutrient Excretion, and Subsequent Early Lactation Performance J Dairy Sci, February 1, 2007; 90(2): 946 - 954. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. P. Montgomery, J. S. Drouillard, E. C. Titgemeyer, J. J. Sindt, T. B. Farran, J. N. Pike, C. M. Coetzer, A. M. Trater, and J. J. Higgins Effects of wet corn gluten feed and intake level on diet digestibility and ruminal passage rate in steers J Anim Sci, December 1, 2004; 82(12): 3526 - 3536. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. P. Schoonmaker, M. J. Cecava, D. B. Faulkner, F. L. Fluharty, H. N. Zerby, and S. C. Loerch Effect of source of energy and rate of growth on performance, carcass characteristics, ruminal fermentation, and serum glucose and insulin of early-weaned steers J Anim Sci, April 1, 2003; 81(4): 843 - 855. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. T. Choat, C. R. Krehbiel, M. S. Brown, G. C. Duff, D. A. Walker, and D. R. Gill Effects of restricted versus conventional dietary adaptation on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, site and extent of digestion, digesta kinetics, and ruminal metabolism J Anim Sci, October 1, 2002; 80(10): 2726 - 2739. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]