Year-round production of beef using maximum levels of forages. II. Finishing phase
1990
Coombs, D.F. | Bagley, C.P. | Hill, G.M. | Knox, J.W. | Loyacano, A.F. | Oliver, W.M. | Wyatt, W.E. | Huffman, D.C. | McMillin, K.W. | Bidner, T.D.
Uneven seasonal distribution of high quality forages has been identified as one of the major obstacles to year-round production of slaughter beef on grazed forages. The influence of diet, termination date, and location upon daily gains and final weights of cattle from six locations in Louisiana that were finished for approximately 120 d on corn (Zea mays L.) silage (n = 659) or forage (n = 1055) diets was measured. The 3-year study produced slaughter animals at bimonthly intervals with a minimum final target weight of 409 kg (900 lb). Forage-finished cattle were grazed on small cereal grain-ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) clover mixtures from November through May, while forages utilized from June through October included bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.), warm-season annuals, grassclover mixtures, and grain-on-grass. Cattle fed the high-energy standardized corn silage diet in drylot gained more (1.01 kg/d or 2.42 lb/d vs 0.77 kg/d; P > .05) and were heavier (457 kg vs 431 kg; P < .05) at the termination date when compared with companion animals finished on forages from those four locations, with average cost of gain being similar. Differences (P < .05) were detected between forage-finished cattle from the six locations for overall performance and costs of production.
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