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Calves receiving limit-fed diets in these KSU trials were fed once each day . Blasi notes , “ Results from these trials indicate it is important not to over-fill cattle too quickly and to keep them hungry initially .”
For reference , the 60 Mcals ration used here and in most of the studies that follow included , on a dry matter basis : 40 % WCGF ( Sweet Bran ®; Cargill Corn Milling ), 38.82 % dry-rolled corn , 8.18 % low energy supplement ( 10 % CP ), 6.5 % alfalfa hay and 6.5 % prairie hay .
Next , Spore and the KSU crew looked at feeding the same 60 Mcal diet at increasing levels of controlled intake to target different levels of gain . Treatments consisted of the 60 Mcal diet offered at 1.9 , 2.2 , 2.5 , or 2.8 % of body weight on a dry matter basis daily .
As expected , average daily gain increased with the overall increased energy intake as more feed was offered .
Less anticipated , Spore says , is that there was no change in feed efficiency between treatment groups . That means achieving various levels of gain by adjusting the amount of feed using the same diet .
“ You don ’ t have to worry about giving up efficiency if you offer more feed ,” Spore explains . “ You can project how much you want them to gain and adjust how much you feed . We think 2.25 % would work for most people .”
Since some producers have limited , if any , practical access to WCGF , the final trial looked at how WDGS would work .
There were four treatment groups — two receiving the ration with wet corn gluten feed ( WCGF ) and two getting the ration with wet distillers grains with solubles ( WDGS ). For each by-product , half of the diets included whole-shelled corn ; dry-rolled corn in the other half . All diets were formulated to provide 60 Mcal net energy for gain per 100 lbs . of dry matter and contain 40 % of their respective by-product .
Each group was fed at 2.0 % of body weight on a dry matter basis , once daily , tar-geting 2 lbs . of average daily gain across 70 days . Spore notes this was a mainte-nance diet used to prepare calves for turnout on Flint Hills pasture . Bottom line , gain and efficiency of gain were similar across all groups . “ When these diets are limit-fed , advantages in efficiency are evident ,” Blasi says . “ Moreover , feeding the highest energy ration in these trials formulated with dry-rolled or whole corn and Sweet Bran or wet distiller ’ s grains yielded similar performance . These results are beneficial to the growing cattle sector because gain may be targeted
KSU High energy-highly fermentable fiber diet1 , limit fed
Ingredient , % DM |
Wet distiller ’ s grains |
Sweet Bran ® |
Alfalfa |
8.00 |
6.50 |
Prairie hay |
8.00 |
6.50 |
Dry rolled corn |
36.50 |
39.50 |
Wet distiller ’ s grains w / solubles |
40.00 |
– |
Sweet Bran |
– |
40.00 |
Supplement2 |
7.50 |
7.50 |
1 Diets formulated to supply 60 Mcal NEg / 100 lb . DM
2 Supplement pellet was formulated to contain ( DM basis ) 10 % CP , 8.0 % Ca , 0.24 % P , 5.0 % salt , 0.55 % potassium , 0.25 % magnesium , 1.67 % fat , and 8.03 % ADF . by feeding the same diet and only altering intake and , depending on producer location and commodity markets , the choice between by-products . Intake restriction increases digestibility and efficiency , which may contribute to less total manure production , thus a smaller impact on the environment and reduced costs of removal .”
That Limit Feeding Thing Heretofore , most producers familiar with limit feeding likely came by their experience via supplemental feeding to navigate drought .
“ Limit feeding or program feeding refers to the practice of limiting calves to two-thirds to three-quarters of the dry matter that they can normally consume ,” Blasi explains . “ This feeding strategy varies greatly with traditional management where calves generally have freechoice access to forage . Traditionally , limit-fed diets have consisted of 80-85 % whole-shelled corn and the remaining balance as a protein supplement . The total amount of the ration delivered is increased every two weeks or so to account for increased body weight gain based upon the desired level of gain .” Limit feeding requires a higher level of management , of course . “ For example , adequate bunk space and maintaining a regular feeding schedule are necessary ,” Blasi says . “ Cattle need to be fed the same amount at the same time every day in a pen situation where all calves have an equal chance to get to the bunk . Moreover , the producer must re-calculate and adjust the ration DM allowed every couple of weeks to account for cattle growth . Therefore , it ’ s important to have accurate cattle weights before initiation of the feeding period ( and during if possible ) to ensure proper amounts of feed are being delivered .”
Potential returns to the increased management are many .
For one , Montgomery says , “ With limit feeding , we ’ re training cattle to eat as a single group . It helps decrease diet sorting .” When feed is always in front of cattle , he explains some will select different portions of the diet . Besides the waste associated with ad libitum feeding , he explains diet sorting means different groups in the same pen are getting different diets .
“ With limit feeding , every bite they get is high calorie and consistent . When you limit feed and have a slick bunk , there ’ s no doubt that what you ’ re feeding is going into the cattle , including minerals and feed additives ,” Blasi says . He adds that feeding a single diet minimizes the potential for error that comes with manipulating transition diets .
Plus , Montgomery says , “ You ’ re getting more gain on less feed . That means hauling fewer loads . With one diet , you don ’ t have to haul partial loads .” Limit feeding makes it easier to identify sick calves , too . “ In these trials , bunks were slick within two hours of feeding ,” Spore says . “ Cattle are hungry the next morning , so you know there ’ s a good chance cattle are sick if they aren ’ t waiting at the bunk .”
“ When an animal is not at the bunk to meet the feed wagon it is likely due to a health issue , and earlier detection is paramount when dealing with newly-weaned , stressed calves ,” Blasi says .
ABOUT THE AUTHOR : Wes Ishmael has been involved with livestock publications since 1983 . Wes grew up in Colorado and has always been in and around the livestock business . He now lives in Benbrook , Texas .
70 • JANUARY 2021