Energy Levels in Receiving Diets for Yearling Cattle

Feed consumption and weight gains of yearling cattle transported from Florida to New Mexico were determined on three receiving diets. Rates of gain achieved during a 28-d receiving period and 14-d transition period were related to gains made during the following 190-d finishing period. Cattle received on 50% or 75% concentrate diets for 4 wk plus grass hay for the first wk then 75% concentrates for 14 d, gained 34 kg more weight than cattle fed grass hay alone for 4 wk then 75% concentrates for 14 d (P◄.01). When all cattle were fed an 85% concentrate diet for 190 d, those previously fed hay alone made 14 kg of compensatory gain, but still lacked 20 kg of making equal gains to those received on 75% concentrates, and lacked 17 kg of making equal gains to those received on 50% concentrates. This indicates that receiving diets for stressed yearling cattle should contain from 50% to 75% concentrates because much of the weight gain advantage achieved during receiving will be maintained during finishing.