Compensatory Growth by Beef Cattle at Grassland or on an Alfalfa-Based Diet

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Intake, digestibility and body-weight gains by beef cattle following periods of restricted growth were examined in two experiments. In experiment 1, gains were held at .22 or .58 kg/day for 20 weeks for two groups of 16 yearling calves by restricting intake. During the subsequent 8 weeks on pasture, gains and intakes were greater for the low intake group (P<.01). Compensatory gain paralleled increased intakes with no change in ration digestibility. In experiment 2, gains were restricted to .46 or .67 kg/day for 24 weeks for two groups of 16 − 182 kg calves by varied grazing intensity. In the subsequent 16-week finishing period, the low performance group gained weight more rapidly during the first 8 weeks. Copyright © 1978. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1978 by American Society of Animal Science.