M. K. Petersen

Comparison of Low-Input Pasture to High-Input Drylot Backgrounding on Performance and Profitability of Beef Calves Through Harvest

Over 3 yr, 250 calves (236 kg initial BW; 133 steers and 117 heifers) were used to compare a low-input pasture backgrounding system (PAST) to a high-input drylot system (DLOT) to evaluate performance and profit during the backgrounding (BACKGRD; weaning to 42 to 45 d) and finishing (FINISH; end BACKGRD to slaughter) phases. Calves were randomly assigned to PAST or DLOT treatments during BACKGRD. The DLOT calves were fed a corn-wheat midds-based pellet plus alfalfa hay (0.68 to 1.13 kg/d), and PAST calves were supplemented with a 32% CP range cube (0.57 kg/d; 3 times/wk). During BACKGRD, DLOT calves gained more BW (P < 0.01) and had a greater final value (P = 0.03), but feed and total costs were more than 4-fold greater (P < 0.01). Net income during BACKGRD was

Effect of increasing levels of undegradable intake protein on metabolic and endocrine factors in estrous cycling beef heifers

45 greater (P < 0.01) for PAST than DLOT. After BACKGRD, only steers were finished at a commercial feedlot where they were managed as a single group. During FINISH, PAST steers had greater ADG (P< 0.01; 1.27 vs. 1.07 kg/d) through interim weight (74 to 94 d on feed), but subsequent ADG was similar (P = 0.68). There were no differences (P ≥ 0.13) in interim BW, days on feed, total ADG, carcass characteristics, or proportion of steers treated for sickness. However, DLOT steers had greater death loss (P = 0.02; 7.6 vs. 0.0%). During FINISH, PAST steers garnered

Metabolic characteristics of multiparous Angus and Brahman cows grazing in the Chihuahuan Desert.

111 more gross income (P < 0.01;

Supplemental methionine and urea for gestating beef cows consuming low quality forage diets.

946 vs.

IMPACT OF SUPPLEMENTED GLUCOGENIC PRECURSORS ON NUTRIENT PARTITIONING IN YOUNG POSTPARTUM RANGE COWS

833 per carcass) and had a net return advantage (P < 0.01) of

IMPACTS OF SUPPLEMENTAL GLUCOGENIC PRECURSORS AND COW AGE ON POSTPARTUM RANGE COW PERFORMANCE

103 per head.