| This phase of beef production consists of full feeding of grain with limited amounts of roughage until market weight and finish are reached. Older cattle may reach finish on pasture alone (or with only a few pounds of grain/day) or after 60-90 days in the feedlot on high-grain rations to improve market grade and to remove any yellow tinges from their body fat (due to stored carotene from pasture forage). Weanling calves commonly are shipped direct to the feedlot and after 120-150
days are fed finishing rations for 100-150 days; yearlings require ~150 days, and older steers 100-125 days. Grain consumption of cattle on full-feed is ~2-2.5 lb/100 lb (1 kg/45 kg) body wt. Roughage consumption usually is limited to about one-fourth to one-third of the total concentrate consumption after cattle are on full-feed. Cattle consume ~3% of their body wt/day when self-fed mixed rations. For calves, ~1.5-2 lb (<1 kg) of a 33% protein supplement is required daily for
best gains and market grades when nonlegume roughage is fed. |
| The grain (concentrate) allowance for finishing cattle should be increased gradually over 2-3 wk from the time they are started on a finishing program to get them on full feed. Feeding too much grain to finishing cattle too rapidly can lead to lactic acidosis or founder. Self-fed, total mixed rations should contain >50% roughage as cattle are started on feed. |
| Corn or sorghum silages are very palatable, and cattle of lower grade may be finished principally on silage supplemented with protein and minerals. Alfalfa or grass silage is relatively high in protein, carotene, and minerals but is lacking in available energy. Alfalfa hay is an excellent roughage but may cause bloat in calves if fed as the only feed. Grains for finishing cattle have about the same relative value as indicated by their total digestible nutrient content. Plant-source
proteins are equal in value and can be replaced in part by feeding supplements containing urea. For optimal performance, undegraded intake protein, also known as “bypass protein,” should be provided (see
protein,
Nutritional Requirements and Related Diseases). Supplements should be fortified with minerals, vitamins, and desired feed additives. A small amount of molasses (1 lb [0.5 kg]/head/day) may improve rations that contain low-quality roughages, such as corn cobs, weathered hays, or cottonseed hulls. |
