Effects of Various Ratios of Corn and Corn Silage and Slaughter Weight on the Performance of Steers Individually Fed

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Abstract
Fifty-six Hereford steers were used in this experiment designed to determine the effects of different combinations of corn and corn silage and slaughter weight on cattle performance. Eight of the calves were slaughtered initially (227 kg) to determine beginning composition and the other 48 were assigned in equal numbers to the 12 treatments. The rations fed were isonitrogenous and included the following ratios of corn to corn silage (dry basis): (A) 30:70; (B) 50:50; (C) 70:30; and (D) 80:20. Ending weights were: (1) 341 kg; (2) 454 kg; and (3) 545 kilograms. The steers were individually fed throughout the test. Bomb calorimeter determinations were made on the feed and body tissues to enable the calculation of energetic efficiency. Steers fed the high silage A ration were slower gaining (P<.05) averaging .90 kg per day. Although cattle performance on the other rations was quite similar (1.06, 1.13 and 1.11 kg/day for B, C and D, respectively) feeding a higher level of corn grain than that of ration C does not appear advantageous. Most carcass traits were quite similar; however the fastest gaining, ration C cattle did produce the fatter, higher grading carcasses. Gross energetic efficiency (Meal energy gained/Mcal G.E. consumed) increased as slaughter weight increased with peak conversions of 16.5 and 11.9% for empty body and carcass gains, respectively. Hence, the fattening process appears to be a more efficient process (calorically) than the growth process (protein deposition). Copyright © 1976. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1976 by American Society of Animal Science