Self-Feeding Free Choice vs. Self-Feeding a Complete Mixture for Fattening Steers

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Abstract
Feeder cattle that had not received corn previously were turned into feeding lots (either drylot or pasture) in which feed bunks, filled with concentrates, were accessible. Cattle were successfully fattened on a self-fed free choice ration of ground ear corn, Supplement A (32% protein supplement), minerals and hay. On this type of program, the cattle ate excessive amounts of Supplement A[long dash]as much as 7.6 lb. per day in one experiment. However, no ill effects were obserable from eating excessive amounts of Supplement A. In fact, these cattle gained significantly more rapidly and produced carcasses which graded higher than cattle fed less protein supplement. Cattle may be fattened successfully on a self-fed ration consisting of a combination of ground ear corn and Supplement A. It appeared that the optimum ratio is 8 parts ground ear corn to 1 part Supplement A. Cattle may be self fed a fattening ration consisting of ground ear corn, free choice, Supplement A to which additional salt has been added, free choice, and hay, free choice. Under the conditions of this trial, 59b of added salt controlled the Supplement A intake of 2.2 lb. per day. At no time did cattle fattened on any of the above 3 recommended methods show signs of scouring or of going off feed from the 1st day they were turned into the feedlots to eat according to appetite.

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