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Effect Of Different Growth Patterns On Feedlot Performance And Carcass Traits Of Moderately Large Framed Feeder Calves, R.H. Pritchard, D.H. Gee, M.A. Robbins

South Dakota Beef Report, 1988

Dry matter intake of Charolais and Limousin sired crossbred steers was restricted to allow three distinctly different postweaning growth patterns. Growth patterns represented were LL--allow 2.8 lb ADG throughout the feeding period; LH -- same as LL until 80% of slaughter weight, then allow ad Libitum DMI; or HH--ad Libitum feed intake throughout. Ad Libitum fed steers consumed 23% more dry matter (P<.001) had higher ADG (3.81 vs 3.09 Lb/head/day; P<.01) than steers on restricted feed intake up t o 80% of slaughter weight. Feed efficiency was similar regardless of feeding rate in the early growth curve. Steers switched from restricted to ad Libitum feed intake exhibited compensatory gains (P<.01), while DM1 did not differ from steers previously fed ad Libitum. While feeding program affected cumulative feedlot ADG and DMI (P<.05) and days on feed, feed efficiency and total dry matter consumed were not affected. LL feeding resulted in lower marbling scores and a lower percentage choice grade in carcasses of similar weights. Growth pattern had no effect on carcass composition estimated from 9-10-11 rib section when adjusted to a common carcass weight.