Journal of Animal Science, Vol 73, Issue 1 45-54, Copyright © 1995 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Influence of high-starch vs high-fiber energy supplements on performance of stocker cattle grazing wheat pasture and subsequent feedlot performance

G. W. Horn, M. D. Cravey, F. T. McCollum, C. A. Strasia, E. G. Krenzer Jr and P. L. Claypool
Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, Animal Science Department, Stillwater 74078-0425.

A 3-yr study was conducted to determine effects of high-starch (HS) or high-fiber (HF) energy supplements on performance of fall-weaned steer calves (n = 192, Exp. 1 and 2; n = 84, Exp. 3) grazing winter wheat pasture (Triticum aestivum variety 2157) and subsequent feedlot performance. The steers received 1) no supplement (CL) other than free-choice access to a commercial mineral mixture or 2) were hand-fed 6 d/wk either a corn-based HS supplement, or 3) a soybean hull/wheat middling-based HF supplement. In Exp. 1 (1989-1990), a fourth treatment provided ad libitum access to the HF supplement (SFHF). Supplements contained 88 mg of monensin/kg and the combination of ionophore, minerals and salt (8%) was used to limit intake of the SFHF supplement. Target level of daily consumption of all supplements was .75% of mean BW. Stocking density was increased by 33% (i.e., from 1.24 to 1.65 steers/ha) in Exp. 1 and 3, and by 22 to 44% in Exp. 2 when supplements were fed. Subsequent to grazing wheat pasture in Exp. 2 and 3, feedlot performance and carcass quality (Exp. 2 only) of the cattle were measured. Over the 3-yr period (pooled analysis), mean daily supplement consumption was .65% BW. Daily gains were increased (P < .001) .15 kg by supplementation and were .92, 1.06, and 1.08 kg for CL, HS, and HF, respectively. Daily gains were not influenced (P > .45) by type of energy supplement. Mean supplement conversions (kilograms asfed.kilogram of increased gain-1.hectare-1) were 5.4 for HS and 5.0 for HF and did not differ (P > .95). Subsequent feedlot daily gain was decreased .09 kg (P < .05) by supplementation in Exp. 2 but not in Exp. 3 (P > .80). This supplementation program for growing cattle on wheat pasture allowed stocking density to be increased by approximately one-third and increased daily gains by .15 kg.

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