Feed Efficiency in Cattle

2015 Annual Report for FNC15-1000

Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 2015: $4,836.00
Projected End Date: 02/15/2017
Grant Recipient: Turtle Rock Angus
Region: North Central
State: Iowa
Project Coordinator:
Jeff Liston
Turtle Rock Cattle

Feed Efficiency in Cattle

Summary

WORK ACTIVITIES

The bull calves were put on forage diet in April and on early pasture on 5/3/15. They were placed on Feed Efficiency test on 6/10/15. The calves have been weighed 3 times so far during this project.

RESULTS

Individuals are being ranked on best to worst on their forage performance. It was noted when the calves were subdivided into age groups that the oldest to youngest groups gained most to least. Most importantly – subdividing and rotating the calves on early pasture results in significant net weight gain and therefore, dollar return.

There was an 858 lb gain in total group weight. The pasture area was 3 acres.

858 lbs x $2.40 (per lb price) = $2,059

$2059/3 acres = $686/acre return

 

WORK PLAN FOR 2016

The current grant will be completed in November 2015.

 

OUTREACH

One short video clip has been taken and will be combined with two other clips and then put on website.

Joe Sellers, Extension beef specialist, has been called to offer presentations for any pertinent meetings. We may be asked to present our project at a beef cattle meeting/conference being planned for 1/21/16 in Ames, IA at Iowa State University.

Objectives/Performance Targets

Accomplishments/Milestones

Three stages of Grant Progress

The grant project had 9 bull calves go onto a full forage diet on 4/12/15 after weaning the 6 youngest calves on 4/4/15. There are 3 older bulls (ave. 9 mo. old), 2 weaning age bulls (ave. 7 mo. old) and 4 early weaning bulls (ave. 4 mo. old) entered into this project.  The bulls were taken off of their early grass pasture diet and placed at the Feed Efficiency testing center on 6/10/15.

Grass Gain:
The bulls were fed small baled alfalfa for the first 21 days of this project. They were placed on grass pasture (clover/grasses w/no alfalfa) on 5/3- 6/7/15 (35 days). The total number of days on forage test was 56 days. There was a consistent advantage in gain according to the ages of the groups, with the oldest gaining the most at all 3 weigh dates. As a group however, the ADG was surprisingly the same at all 3 weigh dates.

                        4/12-5/3(21 days)              5/3-6/7 (35 days)                 4/12-6/7 (56 days)
                           Small bales                       Grass  Pasture                      Total Forage Gain
Oldest (3 hd)-    186# -  2.95#ADG            386# -  3.67# ADG                 572# - 3.40# ADG 
Middle (2 hd)-    116# - 2.76# ADG            212# - 3.02# ADG                  326# - 2.92# ADG
Young (4 hd)-    213# - 2.53# ADG            260# - 1.85# ADG                  473# - 2.11# ADG

Totals (9 hd)-    515#- 2.72# ADG             858# - 2.72# ADG                 1,373#- 2.72# ADG

*note: the calves were provided a Crystalyx barrel for the first 21 days, and 4 oz. of yeast/hd/day in 3# of soyhull/gluten/corn mix for the 35 days on pasture to enhance their cooperation in moving them to new electric fenced paddocks daily, and to adjust their gut for the fast growth of early grass.

Pasture Cost Analysis:
2 Crystalyx barrels-      $242.92                     1,373# gain                    3 acres of pasture
100# yeast-                    44.00                    x $2.40 cwt value             subdivided into pads
3# yeast/grain x 35-        94.50                    $3,295.20 gain in value    and bulls moved daily
Feed cost-                    $381.42     
Purchase 65 sm bales-    260.00 
                                  $641.42                     Early Pasture Use Value was $884/acre
                                                                  (gain value less feed cost divided by 3 acres)

Feedlot Efficiency:

Genetic Testing:

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes