Influence of Early Weaning on Calf and Pasture Productivity

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Abstract
A 3-year study involving 216 Angus calves was conducted during the midsummer period to evaluate the influence of salt level and varying stocking rate on performance of early weaned calves fed concentrate on pasture. Neither the use of salt to limit concentrate intake nor variations in stocking rate resulted in any marked increase in the contribution of forage to calf gain. The concentrate intake per unit of calf gain indicated that little use was made of forage. Salt was effective at 10% of the ration in reducing concentrate intake but calf gains were also reduced as compared to salt levels of 0 or 5%. Average daily gains were significantly increased in calves early weaned and self-fed rations containing either 0 or 5% salt as compared to control calves. Forage TDN harvested per unit of land by cows was significantly increased by stocking pastures with dry cows at a level to permit maintenance only. Following the grazing study, steer calves were used in a finishing study to evaluate the influence of the early weaning treatments on subsequent feedlot growth and carcass characteristics. Feedlot gains were inversely related to the summer gains. Control calves and those fed concentrate containing 10% salt as calves gained an average of .17 lb (.08 kg) faster than those fed unlimited grain. Differences in carcass characteristics were nonsignificant with the exception of % kidney and heart fat. Copyright © 1975. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1975 by American Society of Animal Science.

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