1968•Journal of Animal ScienceRequires access
Relative Value of Different Forages and Supplements for Nursing and Early Weaned Beef Calves
R. C. Hammes, R. E. Blaser, J. P. Fontenot, H. T. Bryant, R.W. Engel
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Abstract
Two experiments were conducted to study the value of different forages and supplements for nursing and early-weaned beef calves. In Experiment I average daily gains of nursing calves creep fed corn silage, alfalfa-orchardgrass hay or alfalfa-orchardgrass silage were similar. Supplementing the corn silage with 0.68 kg. cottonseed meal and the alfalfa-orchardgrass forages with 1.36 kg. ground shelled corn increased gains (P<.05). Dry matter and TDN intakes were higher, but gains were not higher for calves creep fed cornsilage, alfalfa-orchardgrass hay and a grain mixture, each free choice, compared to full feeding forage and feeding a limited level of concentrate. Efficiency of feed conversion was lowest for calves fed corn silage, alfalfa-orchardgrass hay and concentrate, free choice. Average daily gain and feed efficiency of calves weaned at approximately 4 mo. of age were satisfactory but were lower than for comparably fed nursing calves. In Experiment II daily gains tended to be higher for nursing calves fed 0.68 kg. CSM daily as compared to 0.14 kg. CSM or 0.68 kg. ground shelled corn, in addition to corn silage. Feed efficiency was similar for calves fed the three supplements. Rate of gain of early-weaned calves fed corn silage plus 0.68 kg. CSM was satisfactory, but was significantly lower than similarly fed nursing calves. Weaned calves fed corn silage, supplemented with 1.36 kg. ground shelled corn and 0.68 kg. CSM, gained slightly faster than those supplemented with only 0.68 kg. CSM. Rate of gain and feed efficiency of nursing and early-weaned calves were not consistently altered by supplementing with 70 mg. anti-biotic per calf daily. Lactating beef cows fed 5.0 kg. TDN daily lost 0.20 kg. daily, while similarly fed cows whose calves were early weaned gained 0.21 kg. (P<.05). Dry cows fed 2.9 kg. TDN daily lost approximately 10% of their bodyweight. Winter weight reductions were generally regained during the subsequent grazing season.