Journal of Animal Science, Vol 72, Issue 9 2497-2507, Copyright © 1994 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Effects of restricted feeding of growing steers on performance, carcass characteristics, and composition

T. A. Murphy and S. C. Loerch
Department of Animal Science, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Ohio State University, Wooster 44691.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of restricted feeding on performance, carcass characteristics, and composition. In Trial 1, 36 individually penned steer calves (280 +/- 13 kg BW) were fed all-concentrate diets at intake levels of ad libitum and 90 and 80% of ad libitum. Trial 2 used 36 individually penned steer calves (298 +/- 14 kg BW) fed corn silage-based growing diets for 84 d followed by 91% concentrate finishing diets. Intakes were as described for Trial 1. Compared with steers with ad libitum intake, ADG was reduced (P < .005) .15 and .25 kg for steers fed 90 and 80% of ad libitum intake, respectively, in Trial 1. In Trial 2, growing phase ADG was reduced (P < .005) .15 and .24 kg for the 90 and 80% of ad libitum feed intake, respectively. Finishing phase ADG was reduced (P < .005) .12 and .21 kg for the 90 and 80% of ad libitum intake, respectively. Feed efficiency was not affected by intake when all-concentrate diets were fed in Trial 1, or when a corn silage-based diet was fed in the growing phase of Trial 2. During the finishing phase of Trial 2, feed efficiency was increased when intake was restricted. Carcass quality grade and 12th rib backfat were reduced (P < .04) with decreases in daily feed intake when all-concentrate diets were fed. However, no effect on carcass characteristics was observed in Trial 2. Liver and heart weights were not affected by daily feed intake. Serum triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations tended (P = .11) to decrease for cattle receiving restricted intakes of all-concentrate diets and were decreased (P < .04) with intake restriction in Trial 2. Carcass fat content was reduced (P < .02), whereas carcass protein and water were increased (P < .06) with reductions in daily feed intake in both trials. We concluded that restrictedly feeding growing-finishing steer calves does not decrease feed efficiency and actually may improve feed efficiency. Restrictedly fed steers had reduced maintenance requirements, and lean tissue accretion represented a greater percentage of their total gain.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. I. Zanton and A. J. Heinrichs Review: Limit-Feeding with Altered Forage-to-Concentrate Levels in Dairy Heifer Diets Professional Animal Scientist, August 1, 2009; 25(4): 393 - 403. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. L. Hankins-Herr, J. D. Arseneau, R. P. Lemenager, and A. L. Sutton Effect of Low-Phytate Corn and Phytase on Nutrient Excretion and Performance of Feedlot Cattle Professional Animal Scientist, June 1, 2009; 25(3): 360 - 369. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. I. Zanton and A. J. Heinrichs Rumen Digestion and Nutritional Efficiency of Dairy Heifers Limit-Fed a High Forage Ration to Four Levels of Dry Matter Intake J Dairy Sci, September 1, 2008; 91(9): 3579 - 3588. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. E. Patten, J. M. Hodgen, A. M. Stelzleni, C. R. Calkins, D. D. Johnson, and B. L. Gwartney Chemical properties of cow and beef muscles: Benchmarking the differences and similarities J Anim Sci, August 1, 2008; 86(8): 1904 - 1916. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. H. Clark, K. C. Olson, T. B. Schmidt, M. L. Linville, D. O. Alkire, D. L. Meyer, G. K. Rentfrow, C. C. Carr, and E. P. Berg Effects of dry matter intake restriction on diet digestion, energy partitioning, phosphorus retention, and ruminal fermentation by beef steers J Anim Sci, December 1, 2007; 85(12): 3383 - 3390. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. L. Mader and W. M. Kreikemeier Effects of growth-promoting agents and season on blood metabolites and body temperature in heifers J Anim Sci, April 1, 2006; 84(4): 1030 - 1037. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. L. Mader and M. S. Davis Effect of management strategies on reducing heat stress of feedlot cattle: Feed and water intake J Anim Sci, October 1, 2004; 82(10): 3077 - 3087. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. J. Hersom, R. P. Wettemann, C. R. Krehbiel, G. W. Horn, and D. H. Keisler Effect of live weight gain of steers during winter grazing: III. Blood metabolites and hormones during feedlot finishing J Anim Sci, July 1, 2004; 82(7): 2059 - 2068. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. P. Schoonmaker, F. L. Fluharty, and S. C. Loerch Effect of source and amount of energy and rate of growth in the growing phase on adipocyte cellularity and lipogenic enzyme activity in the intramuscular and subcutaneous fat depots of Holstein steers J Anim Sci, January 1, 2004; 82(1): 137 - 148. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. P. Schoonmaker, M. J. Cecava, F. L. Fluharty, H. N. Zerby, and S. C. Loerch Effect of source and amount of energy and rate of growth in the growing phase on performance and carcass characteristics of early- and normal-weaned steers J Anim Sci, January 1, 2004; 82(1): 273 - 282. [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]

				T. L. Mader, S. M. Holt, G. L. Hahn, M. S. Davis, and D. E. Spiers Feeding strategies for managing heat load in feedlot cattle J Anim Sci, September 1, 2002; 80(9): 2373 - 2382. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]