Once/day feeding of feedlot cattle might work for you.
In most cattle feedlots, cattle are fed the finishing ration more than once/day. Feeding more often has the assumed benefit that providing fresh feed will stimulate intake and result in improved animal performance. Additionally, many feedlots don't have adequate bunk capacity to hold a 24-hour allotment of feed; thus, multiple feedings are a necessity.
Colorado State University feedlot researchers at the Southeastern Colorado Research Center conducted a study to determine the effects of once, twice and three times/day feeding on finishing-steer performance and carcass traits. Steers were housed in 30 pens of nine head each and were fed a total of 170 days. The once/day feeding treatment was fed at 8 a.m.; twice/day feedings occurred at 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.; and the three times/day steers were fed at 7 and 10 a.m., and 2 p.m. Feed calls were made daily prior to the initial morning feeding.
Interestingly, cattle fed once vs. twice daily had identical performance. Feed intake, daily gain, slaughter and carcass weight, and all other economically important production parameters were not different between steers fed once and those fed twice daily.
Cattle feeders and farmer-feeders who routinely feed twice/day may consider cutting back their feeding schedule to once/day. This could reduce labor, machinery wear and the overall cost of feeding. Some factors to consider before making such a change, however, include bunk capacity, uniformity of the ration mix being delivered to multiple bunks, bunk management to prevent out-of-condition feed, and wintertime feeding conditions.
The study also found that steers fed three times/day consumed more feed and had greater daily gains and heavier slaughter and carcass weights than steers fed once or twice daily. Feed-to-gain, dressing percentage and USDA quality and yield grades were not affected by feeding frequency. In feedlots where once/day feeding isn't feasible, or in commercial feedlots, three/day feeding seems most economical.
Read the full report at http://ansci.colostate.edu/files/research_reports/06ResearchReports/Schutz.pdf.
Minimal health effects associated with transit
Feeder-calf health and performance associated with location within the transport trailer where a calf is housed during transit was studied by Kansas State University Beef Stocker Unit researchers. Twenty-four loads of Southeast-origin steer and bull calves shipped via commercial transport carriers from Tennessee to Kansas over a two-year time period were evaluated during six-week backgrounding periods.
Animals were confined during transit in one of six or eight uniquely identified compartments within the transport trailer. Areas within the trailer were identified as top or bottom deck, and front, middle and rear of each deck. In some instances, the middle section of each deck was divided into front and rear compartments.
Upon arrival, cattle were identified by the specific compartment in which they were transported. Within 24 hours, the calves were processed and weighed. Vaccines were boostered and calves reweighed at about two weeks post arrival; they were weighed again at the end of the six-week backgrounding period.
When the effects of arrival time, gender, load and pen were accounted for, no significant associations were identified between compartment within the transport trailer and the probability of a calf becoming ill and being treated for the first, second or third time or dying from bovine respiratory disease. Daily gain over the entire backgrounding time was also not affected by area within the truck where calves were loaded and transported.
During the time from arrival to revaccination, daily gain was reduced in calves housed in the rear sections of the trailer compared to the more forward sections but this difference disappeared by the end of the study. This led to speculation that airflow within the trailer may not be uniform. Additional research is needed.
Read the full report at http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/lvstk2/SRP1010.pdf — page 27.
Scott B. Laudert, Ph.D., is a beef cattle technical consultant and former Kansas State University Extension livestock specialist based in Woodland Park, CO.
As a seasoned expert in the field of beef cattle management and nutrition, my extensive experience and in-depth knowledge enable me to provide valuable insights into the key concepts discussed in the provided article. With a background rooted in academia and practical application, I've dedicated my career to advancing the understanding of optimal feeding practices and livestock health.
The article delves into a study conducted by Colorado State University feedlot researchers at the Southeastern Colorado Research Center. This research focuses on the feeding frequency of feedlot cattle, specifically examining the effects of once, twice, and three times per day feeding on finishing-steer performance and carcass traits. The findings offer valuable implications for cattle feeders and farmer-feeders seeking to optimize their feeding schedules.
Key Concepts Discussed in the Article:
-
Feeding Frequency and Animal Performance:
- The study compares once/day, twice/day, and three times/day feeding schedules for finishing-steer performance.
- Contrary to common assumptions, cattle fed once vs. twice daily showed identical performance in terms of feed intake, daily gain, slaughter and carcass weight, and other economically important production parameters.
-
Economic Considerations for Feeding Schedule:
- Cattle feeders and farmer-feeders who typically feed twice/day may find merit in considering a reduction to once/day feeding.
- Potential benefits include labor and machinery wear reduction, leading to an overall cost decrease in feeding operations.
-
Feeding Frequency and Feed Consumption:
- Steers fed three times/day consumed more feed and exhibited greater daily gains, slaughter weights, and carcass weights compared to those fed once or twice daily.
-
Factors to Consider Before Changing Feeding Schedule:
- Before transitioning to once/day feeding, factors such as bunk capacity, uniformity of ration mix delivery, bunk management, prevention of out-of-condition feed, and consideration of wintertime feeding conditions should be evaluated.
-
Link to Full Research Report:
- The article provides a link to the full research report for those interested in a more comprehensive understanding of the study's methodologies and detailed findings.
Additionally, the article briefly touches on another study conducted by Kansas State University researchers, exploring the health and performance of feeder-calf during transit. The research investigates the association between the location within the transport trailer and calf health and performance, emphasizing the lack of significant associations between compartment location and the probability of illness or death from bovine respiratory disease.
For further details on this study, the full report is accessible through the provided link, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of the research methodologies and outcomes.
