Ohio State University Extension Bulletin

Research and Reviews: Beef and Sheep 2001

Special Circular 181-01


Effect of Age at Feedlot Entry on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Bulls and Steers

Implications

Earlier feedlot placement results in faster overall gains, and produces young, higher quality beef, but with a lower yield of product. Feeding bulls in an early-weaned system is a viable management option; however, feedlot placement after 150 days of age is not recommended for bulls. Beef quality is decreased and the increased possibility for overweight carcasses exists for bulls managed in pasture based systems.

References

Anderson, P.T., D.R. Hawkins, W.G. Bergen, and R.A. Merkel. 1988. A note on dry-matter intake and composition of gain of simmental bulls and steers fed to the same weight or age. Anim. Prod. 47: 493-496.

Consortium. 1988. Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching. Consortium for Developing a Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching. Champaign, IL.

Goering, H.K., and P.J. Van Soest. 1970. Forage fiber analyses, (apparatus, reagents, procedures and some applications). Agriculture Handbook #379, U.S.D.A. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC.

Hayden, J.M., W.G. Bergen, and R.A. Merkel. 1992. Skeletal muscle protein metabolism and serum growth hormone, insulin, and cortisol concentrations in growing steers implanted with estradiol-17b, trenbolone acetate, or estradiol-17 plus trenbolone acetate. J. Anim. Sci. 70: 2109-2119.

Hongerholt, D. D., B. A. Crooker, J. E. Wheaton, K. M. Carlson, and D. M. Jorgenson. 1992. Effects of a growth hormone-releasing factor analogue and an estradiol-b trenbolone acetate implant on somatotropin, insulin-like growth factor-I, and metabolite profiles in growing Hereford steers. J. Anim. Sci. 70: 1439-1448.

Hunt, D.W., D.M. Henricks, G.C. Skelley, and L.W. Grimes. 1991. Use of trenbolone acetate and estradiol in intact and castrate male cattle: Effects on growth, serum hormones, and carcass characteristics. J. Anim. Sci. 69: 2452-2462.

Johnson, B.J., P.T. Anderson, J.C. Meiske, and W.R. Dayton. 1996a. Effect of a combined trenbolone acetate and estradiol implant on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and carcass composition of feedlot steers. J. Anim. Sci. 74:363-371.

Johnson, B.J., M.R. Hathaway, P.T. Anderson, J.C. Meiske, and W.R. Dayton. 1996b. Stimulation of circulating Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-1) and Insulin-Like Growth Factor binding proteins (IGFBP) due to administration of a combined trenbolone acetate and estradiol implant in feedlot cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 74:372.

Lee, C.Y., D.M. Henricks, G.C. Skelley, and L.W. Grimes. 1990. Growth and hormonal response of intact and castrate male cattle to trenbolone acetate and estradiol. J. Anim. Sci. 68: 2682-2689.

Myers, S.E., D.B. Faulkner, F.A. Ireland, L.L. Berger, and D.F. Parrett. 1999. Production systems comparing early weaning to normal weaning with or without creep feeding for beef steers. J. Anim. Sci. 77:300-310.

NRC. 1996. Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle. 7th Ed. National Academy Press, Washington, DC.

SAS/STAT.1996. SAS/STAT User's Guide: Statistics. SAS Inst., Inc., Cary, NC.

Schoonmaker, J.P, F.L. Fluharty, T.B. Turner, S.J. Moeller, and S.C. Loerch. 1999a. Effect of weaning age and implant regimen. I. Steer performance. Ohio Agric. Res. and Dev. Circular 162:44.

Schoonmaker, J.P, F.L. Fluharty, T.B. Turner, D.M. Wulf, S.J. Moeller, and S.C. Loerch. 1999b. Effect of weaning age and implant regimen. II. Carcass characteristics of steers. Ohio Agric. Res. and Dev. Circular 162:75.

Schoonmaker, J.P., S.C. Loerch, F.L. Fluharty, T.B. Turner, S.J. Moeller, and J.E. Rossi. 1999c. Effect of an accelerated finishing program on performance and carcass characteristics of early-weaned bulls and steers. Ohio Agric. Res. and Dev. Circular 170:55.

Story, C.E., R.J. Rasby, R.T. Clark, and C.T. Milton. 2000. Age of calf at weaning of spring-calving beef cows and the effect on cow and calf performance and production economics. J. Anim. Sci. 78:1403-1413.


Back | Forward | Table of Contents