Effects of Late Spring Burning
and Nitrogen Fertilization on Nutritive Values
of Big and Little Bluestem Plants
L. J. Allen, R. R. Schalles, B. E. Brent,
J. S. Woolfolk, and E. F. Smith
Effects of late spring burning and nitrogen fertilization
on nutritive value of Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardi) and
Little Bluestem (Andropogon scoparis) on native rangeland were
determined at monthly intervals during the 1972 growing season.
Burning significantly decreased dry matter percentage, crude
fiber, cell walls, and lignin. Fertilization did not significantly influence any of those factors except for increasing
lignin slightly. Big Bluestem had significantly less crude
fiber, cell walls, and lignin than Little Bluestem.
Introduction
Both increasing populations and per capita consumption of
beef in the United States and in other countries call for new
management practices to increase the carrying capacity of native
rangelands.
It has long been recognized that annual late-spring burning
of True Prairie rangelands stimulates beef cattle performance.
Commercial fertilizers also have been used to increase production
of cultivated crops but such use on native prairies has been
questionable.
Reported here are how annual late-spring burning and nitrogen
fertilization, separately and together, affect nutritive values
of Big and Little Bluestem, two primary grass species of the True
Prairie.
Experimental Procedure
The study was conducted during the 1972 growing season on
native True Prairie rangeland near Manhattan, Kansas. Four pastures varied in size from 44 to 60 acres were involved.
Samples of two species of grass, Big Bluestem and Little
Bluestem, were collected on loamy upland range.
One of four treatments was applied to each pasture to evaluate effects of annual late-spring burning and nitrogen fertilization on the nutritive value of bluestem grass.
Burning. Burning was April 28 with a light northern breeze.
All organic matter was consumed by the fire.
2
Nitrogen. Nitrogen in the form of granular urea was
aerially applied May 17 at 40 pounds of nitrogen per acre.
Burning and Nitrogen. Burning and nitrogen fertilization
were as just indicated.
Control. No burning or fertilization.
The grass samples were clipped at ground level from within 25-foot square exclosures in three randomly located, loamy
upland sites in each pasture. The exclosures were constructed
with "T" type steel posts and 4 strands of barbed wire.
Three samples were taken from each pasture on the first
of each month, June to November.
Preparation for analysis consisted of drying overnight at
90° C in a forced air oven and grinding in a Wiley mill through
a one-millimeter screen.
Results
Dry Matter
Burning significantly decreased the dry matter content of
the bluestem grass in June, September, and November (Table 1).
In July and October there were no significant differences. Although not shown, fertilization and fertilization plus burning
had no additional effect on the dry matter content of the grass.
No species differences were detected.
Crude Fiber
Table 1 shows the crude fiber content of the bluestem grass.
The general trend is for crude fiber to gradually increase as the
growing season advances. The August 1 clipping showed a decline
in the fiber content of the grass. Increased production of new
plant tissue (low in crude fiber) after 2.54 inches of rainfall
in July may explain the fiber decline.
Burning significantly lowered the crude fiber content of the
grass throughout the study period (Table 1). That likely explains
why beef cattle on burned range outperforms cattle on range not
burned. Although not shown, fertilization had no effect on crude
fiber content of the grass.
Big Bluestem was significantly lower in crude fiber, 32.28%,
than Little Bluestem, 33.16%.
Cell Walls
Cell wall percentages followed the same trend as crude fiber
(Table 2). Cell walls increase as the season advances. Burning
3
compared to not burning significantly decreased cell wall percentages June through August; no differences were detected in
the September or October clippings but the burned pastures had
significantly lower cell wall percentages in November than the
nonburned pastures did.
As with crude fiber, Big Bluestem had significantly lower
percentages of cell walls than Little Bluestem did. Table 2
shows cell wall percentages for each species during the study.
Big Bluestem was consistantly lower. Although not shown, fertilization did not influence cell wall percentages.
Protein
Table 3 shows effects of treatment on protein levels of
the grass. Burning or fertilization alone did not significantly
affect protein levels but burning and fertilization together
significantly increased protein content. This difference was
only a .57% and of little practical importance.
Table 4 shows the average protein levels at monthly intervals throughout the study. The protein levels dropped from
11.62% in June to 2.89% in November.
Lignin
The average lignin content of the bluestem grass is shown
in Table 5. Lignin gradually increases as the growing season
advances. Both burning and fertilization significantly influenced lignin content of the grass plant (Table 6).
4
Table 1.
Dry Matter and Crude Fiber Percentages of Big and Little Bluestem grass
(Combined dry matter basis), June l-November 1, 1972.
Crude Fiber, %
Dry Matter, %
Month
Not burned
Burned
Average
Not burned
Burned
June
30.44 e
24.35
3 0 . 4 8b
3 2 . 6 2c d
28.33
July
31.77
34.07 c d
3 2 . 8 2a
34.47
a
31.16
de
---
---
30.80b
32.22d
29.36
September
40.88b
34.59c
33.98
34.50 a
3 3 . 4 7b c
October
43.17a b
43.89
a
33.36
3 3 . 9 0a b
3 2 . 8 3c d
November
79.59
70.41
34.90
36.52
33.28
August
Least Square Means
Values followed by the same superscript do not differ significantly (P<.05)
bc
Table 2.
Cell wall percentage of Bluestem Grass (dry matter basis), June l-November 1, 1972
Big and Little Bluestem Combined
Month
Average
Not burned
bc
June
72.54
75.76
July
75.38c
76.19
August
76.25b c
78.22
September
77.77 a
7 8 . 3 5a
October
76.99 a b
77.21
November
79.25
80.71
b
a
ab
From all treatments
Burned
Big Bluestem
Little Bluestem
69.31
72.01
73.06
74.57
74.28
77.20
76.77
77.79
c
c
ab
ab
74.46
75.11
76.20
75.31
79.24
e
de
cd
de
a
7 6 . 3 0c d
77.39
79.34
78.67
79.26
bc
a
ab
a
Least Square Means.
Values followed by the same superscript do not differ significantly (P<.05).
5
6
Table 3.
Protein percentages in Bluestem Grass
(dry matter basis) June 1-Nov. 1
Not
fertilized
Not burned
5.41
Burned
5.73
Fertilized
cb
5.19
ab
c
5 . 9 8a
Least Square Means
Values followed by the same superscript do
not differ significantly (P<.05)
Table 4.
Averaged Percent Crude Protein, (dry
matter basis) June 1-Nov. 1
Crude Protein, %
June
11.62
July
5.96
August
4 . 4 7a
September
4 . 3 1a
October
4.22
November
2.89
a
Least square means
Values followed by the same superscript do
not differ significantly (P<.O5).
7
Table 5. Percent Lignin in Bluestem Grass by Months
June-November, 1972
June
4.66
July
5.88
August
b
6.61
October
7 . 3 2a
ab
6.92
November
8.49
September
Least Square Means
Values followed by same superscripts do not differ
significantly (P<.05)
Table 6. Lignin Percentages in Bluestem grass,
June-November, 1972
Not
fertilized
Not burned
7.13
Burned
5.89
a
Fertilized
6.97
6.59
ab
b
Least Square Means
Values followed by same superscripts do not differ
significantly (P<.05).
10
Response of Yearling Steers to Burning,
Fertilization, and Intensive Early Season
S t o c k i n g o f B l u e s t e m P a s t u r e1
J. S. Woolfolk, C. E. Owensby, L. H. Harbers,
R. R. Schalles, L. J. Allen, and E. F. Smith
Summary
Four hundred ninety-two acres of native bluestem range
were divided into nine pastures for summer grazing by yearling steers. Five pastures were burned April 28; four were
not burned. Burned and not burned pastures were treated with
0, 40, or 80 lbs. of nitrogen per acre applied aerially as
granular urea. Stocking rates were determined from previous
work on herbage production from experimental plots under similar treatments. Both average daily gains and weight gains
per acre were greater from each burned treatment than from
not burned treatments with similar fertilization and stocking
rate. Steers grazing an early-season-stocked pasture intensively for 76 days produced the highest average daily gain of
1.72 lbs. Highest gains per acre (137 lbs.) were on the burned
pasture that received 80 lbs. of nitrogen per acre.
Introduction
Previous research has indicated that nitrogen fertilization of range grasses increases herbage yields, possibly improves forage quality, and thus, improves animal performance.
Fertilizing bluestem pastures with nitrogen contributes to an
unfavorable herbage composition shift towards cool-season
species and some weeds. Range-burning studies have shown annual
late spring burning (about May l), coupled with moderate stocking,
increases steer gains and improves range condition over unburned
range stocked at the same rate. In addition, burning essentially
eliminates such less productive, cool season species as Kentucky
bluegrass. We studied effects from incorporating burning and
fertilizing to see if beef yields would be significantly increased with no detrimental effects to range condition. We also
studied effects of early-season intensive stocking on both vegetation and cattle.
l
The following cooperated in making this study possible:
Willchemco Inc., Tulsa, Okla.; Erhart Spraying Ser., Inc.,
Lawrence, Kansas; C. K. Processing Co., Manhattan, Kansas;
Peddicord Feedlot Inc., Wamego, Kansas.
11
Experimental Procedure
We used native bluestem pasture at the Kansas State
University Range Research Unit near Manhattan: six pastures
of 60 acres each and three of 44 acres each. The experimental
treatments are described in Table 1. One nonburned, nonfertilized pasture and one burned, nonfertilized pasture were
retained from previous studies to observe long time effects of
burning, especially on vegetation. Those two pastures have
been used 23 years for studies. Burned pastures were burned
April 28, 1972. Nitrogen was applied May 17 in the form of
urea granules, 45% nitrogen. Urea cost $69/ton plus $1 an acre
and 2 cents a pound for aerial application. The pastures were
stocked from May 2 to October 3, 1972, except the early-season
intensely-stocked pasture was grazed only from May 2 to July 15,
1972. Angus steers used to stock the pastures were purchased
in March at 345 pounds each and fed silage, alfalfa, and grain
until May 2 when they averaged 402 pounds. The steers were
gathered the first of each month, penned overnight without feed
or water, and weighed the next morning.
Results
Late spring burning increased daily gain and gain per
acre (Table 1). Forty pounds of nitrogen per acre seemed to
increase daily gain, but 80 pounds per acre did not, but
both rates increased gain per acre. Gain per acre was 43
pounds more from burned pastures with 40 pounds of nitrogen
applied, and 81 pounds more with 80 pounds of nitrogen applied
than from unfertilized pasture.
Highest daily gain was on the pasture stocked intensely
76 days (May 2 to July 15). More gain was produced by stocking a pasture at twice normal rate early in the growing season
than at moderate rate the entire season.
12
Table 1. Steer gains on bluestem pasture, May 2 to October 3
(155 days) - 1972
Daily gain
per
steer, lbs,
Gain
per
acre,lbs.
Acres
per
steer
Not burned
No nitrogen, same treatment
23 years
No nitrogen
40# nitrogen per acre
80# nitrogen per acre
1.15
0.84
0.99
0.77
53
39
68
84
3.3
3.3
2.2
1.4
No nitrogen, same treatment
23 y e a r s
1.44
l.23
No nitrogen
1.42
40# nitrogen per acre
1.27
80# nitrogen per acre
1.72
Intensely stocked early
76 days, May 2 to July 15
70
56
99
137
79
3.1
3.3
2.2
1.4
1.7
Burned April 28, 1972
P r e d i c t e d D i g e s t i b l e Energy and P r o t e i n I n t a k e s
o f S t e e r s Grazing Bluestem P a s t u r e s
L.
H.
H a r b e r s and M. R . Rao
Summary
D i g e s t i b l e p r o t e i n and e n e r g y i n t a k e s by s t e e r s g r a z i n g
n a t i v e bluestem p a s t u r e s were e s t i m a t e d u s i n g p r e d i c t i o n
equations established a t t h i s station.
D i g e s t i b l e energy
i n t a k e s a p p e a r t o b e s a t i s f a c t o r y f o r y e a r l i n g s t e e r s on
b u r n e d and unburned p a s t u r e s .
Digestible protein intake is
p r o b a b l y g r e a t e r on b u r n e d t h a n on unburned p a s t u r e s ; however,
t h a t n u t r i e n t becomes l i m i t i n g d u r i n g t h e g r a z i n g s e a s o n .
Introduction
D e t e r m i n i n g f o r a g e c o n s u m p t i o n by a g r a z i n g f a r m a n i m a l
h a s b e e n t h e m a j o r o b s t a c l e t o u s i n g modern n u t r i t i o n a l
Because a n i m a l s g r a z e
knowledge t o improve p e r f o r m a n c e .
s e l e c t i v e l y , hand s a m p l i n g i s n o t v a l i d , s o t r i a l a n d error
methods a r e t h e m a j o r means o f improvement. Over t h e p a s t
two summer g r a z i n g s e a s o n s , w e have combined r e c e n t l y
developed experimental techniques t o p r e d i c t i n t a k e .
Methods
Samples o f f o r a g e s from e s o p h a g e a l l y - f i s t u l a t e d a n i m a l s
and r e g r e s s i o n e q u a t i o n s d e v e l o p e d by u s and o t h e r s h a v e
made it p o s s i b l e t o p r e d i c t o r g a n i c m a t t e r i n t a k e and
Fron d i g e s t i b i l i t y s t u d i e s using hays c u t
digestibility.
a t d i f f e r i n g s t a g e s of m a t u r i t y , we (KAES B u l l . 5 5 7 , 1 9 7 2 ,
p. 6), h a v e estimated d i g e s t i b l e e n e r g y and p r o t e i n a v a i l a b l e .
Results
The d a t a p r e s e n t e d r e p r e s e n t c o n t r o l a n d b u r n e d p a s t u r e s
t h e f i r s t g r a z i n g s e a s o n . T e m p e r a t u r e and p r e c i p i t a t i o n
were n e a r e x p e c t e d v a l u e s . W e p r e s e n t t h e p r o b a b l e d i g e s t i b l e
e n e r g y and p r o t e i n i n t a k e s , b a s e d o n a 4 4 0 l b . s t e e r g a i n i n g
1.1 l b . / d a y .
F i g u r e 1 shows t h a t d i g e s t i b l e e n e r g y i n t a k e
i s g r e a t e r from t h e b u r n e d p a s t u r e t h a n f r o m nonburned
c o n t r o l p a s t u r e s u n t i l A u g u s t ; a f t e r t h a t t h e r e seems t o b e
Energy p r o b a b l y i s n o t
no d i f f e r e n c e i n e n e r g y i n t a k e .
l i m i t i n g f o r 1.1 l b . / d a y g a i n s w i t h s t e e r g r a z i n g s y s t e m s
u s u a l l y used i n t h e F l i n t H i l l s a r e a .
.
Table 1 Composition of soybean and Starea blocks fed t o
wintering cows.
Ni trogen source
Ingredient
Soybean meal
Milo Starea-70
Urea
Sorghum grain
Cane molasses
Salt
Dicalcium phosphate
Trace minerals
Bentonite
Vitamin A
Vitamin D
Soybean meal
Starea
48%
-----
--------
50%
S u p p l e m e n t a l F e e d f o r Calves P r i o r t o Weaning
.
Ken Conway,
J o h n S Woolfolk,
R. R . S c h a l l e s , and E . F. Smith
Summary
A m i x t u r e o f 6 0 % d e h y d r a t e d a l f a l f a c r u m b l e s a n d 40%
d r y r o l l e d sorghum g r a i n was f e d ad l i b t o c a l v e s 30 d a y s
b e f o r e weaning.
The c a l v e s a t e an a v e r a g e o f 2 . 6 l b s . p e r
day and g a i n e d 0 . 3 2 l b s more p e r day a v e r a g e d u r i n g t h e 30
days than calves r e c e i v i n g no supplemental f e e d .
During t h e
n e x t 30 d a y s a l l c a l v e s r e c e i v e d t h e r a t i o n ad l i b .
Calves
c o n t i n u i n g on t h e r a t i o n g a i n e d 0 . 4 8 l b s . more p e r d a y a v e r a g e
t h a n t h o s e t h a t had r e c e i v e d no supplement b e f o r e weaning.
.
Introduction
Changing d i e t from m i l k and g r a s s t o o t h e r f e e d s imposes
s t r e s s e s on c a l v e s a t w e a n i n g .
Could t h e stresses b e reduced
by i n t r o d u c i n g post- weaning f e e d t o c a l v e s b e f o r e weaning? W e
a t t e m p t e d t o f i n d t h e answer t o t h a t q u e s t i o n .
Experimental Procedure
S e v e n t y - t w o P o l l e d H e r e f o r d cows w i t h s p r i n g c a l v e s w e r e
d i v i d e d i n t o Groups A a n d B t o g r a z e n a t i v e b l u e s t e m r a n g e .
T h i r t y days b e f o r e w e a n i n g d a t e , c r e e p f e e d e r s w e r e p l a c e d i n
t h e p a s t u r e s w i t h Group A . T h i r t y - t w o c a l v e s h a d a c c e s s t o
t h e f e e d e r s , w h i c h c o n t a i n e d a r a t i o n of 60% crumbled dehydrat e d a l f a l f a a n d 40% d r y - r o l l e d sorghum. g r a i n w i t h s o y b e a n o i l
added a s n e e d e d t o r e d u c e d u s t i n e s s .
A f t e r weaning (October 21, 1972) t h e c a l v e s were k e p t i n
t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e g r o u p s , p u t i n t o d r y l o t s , and b o t h groups w e r e
fed the r a t i o n f r e e choice t h i r t y (30) days.
W e i g h t s w e r e t a k e n a t t h e s t a r t o f t h e t r i a l , w e a n i n g , and
30 days a f t e r weaning.
Results and Discussion
The f i r s t 30 d a y s o f t h e t r i a l ( j u s t b e f o r e w e a n i n g ) Group
.
A a t e 2.60 l b s
(average) of t h e creep r a t i o n p e r head p e r day.
The n e x t 3 0 d a y s ( a f t e r w e a n i n g ) Group A a v e r a g e d 1 1 . 2 l b s . o f
f e e d p e r h e a d p e r day compared w i t h 1 0 . 5 l b s . a v e r a g e f o r Group B .
.
Group A a v e r a g e d 75.0 l b s . a v e r a g e p e r h e a d ( 1 . 2 5 l b s ADG)
f o r t h e 6 0 d a y s compared w i t h 48.0 l h s . a v e r a g e ( 0 . 8 0 l b s . ADG)
for Group B .
Gain on p a s t u r e b e f o r e w e a n i n g by Group A was 5 5 . 3 1
l b s . p e r head ( 1 . 8 4 l b s . ADG) compared w i t h 45.6 l b s . p e r h e a d
( 1 . 5 2 l b s . A D G ) f o r Group 3 . The d i f f e r e n c e i n g a i n s was l a r g e
t h e 30 days i n d r y l o t a f t e r weaning.
C a l v e s i n Group A g a i n e d
27
an average of 26.1 lbs per head (0.92 lbs. ADG); those in
Group B, an average of 13.2 lbs. per head (0.44 lbs ADG).
Gains in the first 30 days did not differ significantly
but gains for Group A were significantly (P .05) higher for
both the 30 days in the drylot and the entire 60-day period.
29
control group required 1.44 treatments per case of pinkeye
compared with 1.74 treatments for those in the no-fly-control
group. Sixty-four percent of all pinkeye treatments were on
cattle in the no-fly-control group.
Greatest advantage of fly control in reducing pinkeye was
early summer. Before July 15, 84% of the pinkeye treatments
were on cattle in the no-fly-group. Cases of pinkeye were most
numerous the last half of July. After July the incidence of
pinkeye decreased and occurred about equally in both groups.
Average weaning weights of calves did not differ between
groups, probably because most calves completely recover from
pinkeye. However, some are permanently affected with impaired
vision. In this study one calf was blind and had a 205-day
adjusted weight 120 lbs. less than the average.
Because so many animals required treatment for pinkeye,
both groups were handled about the same number of times.
Worming S t e e r s G r a z i n g
Summer Bluestem P a s t u r e
E . F. Smith and J . S . Woolfolk
One hundred and s i x t y - t h r e e b l a c k s t e e r s a v e r a g i n g 4 0 2
pounds were g r a z e d from May 2 t o O c t o b e r 3 , 1 9 7 2 , on n a t i v e
b l u e s t e m p a s t u r e . They were assembled by a buying f i r m i n
Memphis, Tenn., and d e l i v e r e d March, 1972, a v e r a g i n g a b o u t
350 pounds. They were f e d c o r n s i l a g e , a l f a l f a h a y , and
a b o u t 5 pounds o f g r a i n e a c h d a i l y u n t i l s t a r t e d on t e s t M a y
2. They were a l l o t e d t o d i f f e r e n t p a s t u r e s d e s c r i b e d i n
Table 1.
Even numbered s t e e r s i n e a c h p a s t u r e ( a b o u t h a l f )
r e c e i v e d one b o l u s of t h i a b e n d a z o l e ( 1 5 grams) as a worming
agent.
The worming a g e n t d i d n o t s i g n i f i c a n t l y a f f e c t g a i n s .
T a b l e 1.
E f f e c t of worming on s t e e r s g r a z i n g summer b l u e s t e m
p a s t u r e May 2 t o O c t o b e r 3 , 1972, (155 d a y s )
Nonburned p a s t u r e ,
no n i t r o g e n
applied
4 0 # N/Acre
80# N/Acre
Burned p a s t u r e ,
no nitrogen
applied
40# N/Acre
8 0 # N/Acre
1
Total
no. of 1
steers
Received
thiabendazole
Avg. d a i l y
gain, l b s .
30
20
42
0.93
1. O O
0.77
26
14
31
1.30
1.45
1.27
No
t h i abendazole
Avg. d a i l y
gain, lbs.
Even numbered steers under e a c h t r e a t m e n t r e c e i v e d t h i a b e n d a z o l e .
31
Four Forage Sorghum Silage Additives Evaluated
K. K. Bolsen, J. G. Riley and J. D. Hoover
Summary
Two trials were conducted to evaluate four forage sorghum
silage additives: ammonium iso-butyrate, aureomycin, sodium
hydroxide, and a mixture of acetic and propionic acids. A control silage received no additives.
In an animal performance trial, each of the five silages
was fed to 15 heifer calves for 112 days. All heifers were
full-fed silage plus 4 lb. of rolled milo and 2 lb. of a soybean meal supplement daily. There were no significant
differences in gain or feed consumption. Heifers receiving
sodium hydroxide silage required more feed per lb. of gain
(P<.05) than those receiving ammonium iso-butyrate or organic
acid silages. Feed cost per 100 lb. gain was lowest for heifers
fed the silage with no additive.
I n a d i g e s t i o n t r i a l , each silage was fed to 3 wether lambs
in two, 12-day preliminary and 7-day collection periods.
Digestion coefficients for dry matter, organic matter, and
nitrogen retention were not influenced by silage treatment;
however, crude protein digestibilitv was lower (P<.05) for lambs
fed the sodium hydroxide silage ration than for lambs fed any of
the other four silage rations.
Silage analyses showed pH, ash percentage and butyric acid
percentage highest in the sodium hydroxide silage.
These results indicate that feeding values of forage
sorghum silage were not significantly improved by any of the
four additives.
Introduction
Many factors affect the fermentation and quality of corn
and forage sorghum, the two principal silage crops in Kansas.
Five of the factors are plant maturity and moisture content at
harvest, fineness of chop, type of storage structure, and
anaerobic conditions. Previous research with silage additives
has focused on developing acid conditions in the silage or
minimizing production of undesirable fermentation end-products.
32
The four additives evaluated in these experiments may
inhibit mold growth and alter fermentation or change the
chemical structure and nutritive value of the silage.
Experimental Procedure
All forage sorghum used was grown in the same location and
was the same variety. It was harvested between September 17
and 24, 1971, to minimize plant maturity differences between
the silage treatments. Approximately 50 tons of each silage
were ensiled in upright, concrete stave silos (10 ft. x 50 ft.)
at about 68% moisture (at harvest). The forage chopper had a
2-inch recutter screen.
The silage treatments were:
Silage Treatment
Description
1
Control - no additive
2
Ammonium iso-butyrate (AIB) , 10 lb.
per ton of wet forage
3
Aureomycin, 1 g r a m p e r t o n o f w e t
forage (1 gm of aureomycin premixed
with 1 lb. of finely ground milo)
4
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), 28 lb. per
ton of wet forage
5
Organic acid mixture , 30 lb. per
ton of wet forage
1
2,3
The additives were added at the silo blower.
Trial 1. Seventy-five Hereford heifers averaging 411 lb. were
used in a 112-day growing trial beginning January 19, 1972.
Three pens of five heifers each were randomly assigned to each
of the five silage treatments. All rations contained a full
feed of the appropriate silage, 4 lb. of rolled milo and 2 lb.
of supplement (table 1) daily. Grain was added to assure a
minimum average daily gain of 1.70 lb. No attempt was made to
neutralize the sodium ions in the NaOH silage or to compensate
for the additional nitrogen in the AIB silage. The rations were
mixed and fed twice daily. Initial and final weights of heifers
were taken after 15 hours without feed or water; 28-day, intermediate weights were taken after the a.m. feeding.
1
Supplied by W. R. Grace and Co., Washington Research Center,
Clarksville, Md.
2 Organic acid mixture (trade name - ChemStor) contains 60% acetic
and 40% propionic acids.
3
Supplied by Celanese Chemical Co., Corpus Christi, Texas.
33
Trial 2.
Fifteen Ramboullet wether lambs averaging 90 lb. were
used in a digestion and nitrogen balance trial. Each of the
five silage treatments was fed to three lambs in two, 12-day
preliminary and 7-day collection periods. The rations contained
78 percent silage and 22 percent soybean meal based supplement
(dry matter basis).
During each preliminary period, silage was
offered free-choice from day 1 through day 10. Silage voluntary
intake was determined for each lamb on days 8, 9, and 10.
Results
Chemical analyses of the silages are shown in table 2.
Only slight differences were obtained in proximate and structural
components among the five silages. Ash content was highest and
neutral detergent fiber content lowest in the NaOH silage. Crude
protein analysis indicates that only about 20 percent of the
nitrogen in the AIB was recovered in the silage after fermentation and storage. AIB contains 84 percent crude protein
equivalent so the calculated crude protein in the AIB-treated
silage when ensiled was 6.40 percent. Its crude protein content
was 5.40 percent when fed.
Acid percentages in the silages after fermentation varied
widely. The control and aureomycin-treated silages had similar
amounts of acetate, lactate and butyrate. The AIB-treated silage
contained 1.46 percent iso-butyrate. The NaOH-treated silage had
the highest pH (6.40), the highest percentage butyrate, and only
traces of lactate. It was also a much darker color (dark brown
to black) than the other four silages.
Performance of heifers in trial 1 is shown in table 3.
None of the differences in daily gain or feed consumption differed
significantly. Heifers fed AIB and organic acid silage rations
tended to gain faster than heifers fed the other three silage
r a t i o n s . NaOH silage was consumed in the largest amounts; but
heifers fed this silage required more feed per lb. of gain (P<.05)
than those fed AIB or organic acid silages. Also, consumption
was more variable between pens of heifers being fed the NaOH
silage than those fed the other silages. Heifers fed the control
silage ration had the lowest feed costs per 100 lb. of gain.
Adding NaOH or the organic acid mixture increased feed costs 18
and 8 percent, respectively.
Results of trial 2 are presented in table 4. Apparent
digestion coefficients for dry matter and organic matter were not
significantly affected by silage treatment. Crude protein digestibility was significantly lower (p<.05) and percentage of
nitrogen retained tended to be lower in lambs fed the NaOH silage
ration than in those fed any other ration. Lambs fed NaOH silage
consumed 14 to 20 percent more silage dry matter during the preliminary periods than any other group.
34
Table 1. Composition of the Supplement.
Ingredient
%
(dry matter basis)
Soybean meal
Rolled milo
Limestone
Salt
Fat
Trace Mineral Premix
Chlortetracyclinea
V i t a m i n A P r e m i xb
64.62
29.42
1.75
2.50
1.00
0.25
0.35
0.11
a
Formulated to supply 70 mg. per heifer per day.
b
Formulated to supply 30,000 IU per heifer per day.
Table 2. Silage Analyses (Dry Matter Basis).
Silage treatment
Item
Control
Dry matter, %
Ash, %
Crude protein, %
Crude fiber, %
Neutral detergent
fiber, %
Acid detergent
fiber, %
Lignin, %
pH
Acetate, %
Propionate, %
Lactate, %
Butyrate, %
Iso-butyrate, %
a
None detected.
AIB
Aureomycin
NaOH
Organic
acid
32.6
7.9
5.2
27.3
31.3
8.0
5.4
27.5
31.9
7.9
5.1
27.3
31.9
10.4
5.2
27.2
31.6
6.1
5.2
25.0
63.6
62.7
60.7
58.9
62.1
38.7
7.5
34.5
5.8
35.9
6.0
37.6
7.3
32.9
6.0
6.40
2.12
0.44
Trace
4.08
- - - -a
4.10
1.88
1.19
Trace
Trace
- - - -a
4.19
0.81
- - - -a
4.00
0.12
- - - -a
4.17
0.98
----a
4.24
- - - -a
1.46
4.10
0.92
- - - -a
3.75
0.17
- - - -a
35
Table 3. Heifer Performance (Trial 1).
Silage treatment
Item
Control
No. of heifers
Initial wt., lb.
Final wt., lb.
Avg. total gain,
lb.
Avg. daily gain,
lb.
AIB
15
408
613
14
408
622
205
214
Aureomycin
a
Organic
acid
NaOH
15
408
611
15
423
620
15
406
627
203
197
221
1.83
1.91
1.81
1.76
1.97
9.41
3.40
1.74
14.55
9.03
3.40
1.74
14.17
9.27
3.40
1.74
14.41
10.02
3.40
1.74
15.16
9.06
3.40
1.74
14.20
b
Avg. daily feed
Silage, lb.
Milo, lb.
Supplement, lb.
Total, lb.
Feed/lb. gain, lb.
Feed cost/100 lb.
g a i n e, $
7 . 9c , d
19.34
c
c,d
7.43
8.02
8.62
19.37
19.50
22.95
d
7.20
c
20.91
a
One heifer died (accidental cause).
bD r y m a t t e r b a s i s .
c , dM e a n s i n t h e s a m e r o w w i t h d i f f e r e n t s u p e r s c r i p t s d i f f e r
e
significantly (P<.05).
Feed prices per ton: control silage, $10; AIB silage, $11.50;
Aureomycin silage, $10.04; NaOH silage, $12.60; organic acid
silage, $14.50; milo, $50; and supplement, $150.
36
Table 4.
Ration Digestibility, Nitrogen Retention, and
Voluntary Silage Dry Matter Intake by Lambs
( T r i a l 2 )a
Silage treatment
Item
Control
AIB
NaOH
Aureomycin
Organic
acid
Apparent digestion coefficients
Dry matter, %
Organic matter, %
Crude protein, %
Nitrogen retained, %
Voluntary silage dry
matter intaked
a
64.6
66.4
72.7 b
63.3
65.2
71.6 b
65.5
67.4
72.9 b
67.3
67.8
65.9c
65.0
65.6
7 0 . 3b
41.7
41.2
44.1
39.4
41.5
100
105
106
120
Each value is the mean of six observations.
100
b,cM e a n s i n t h e s a m e r o w w i t h d i f f e r e n t s u p e r s c r i p t s d i f f e r
d
significantly (p<.05).
Control silage valued 100; intake of the other silages
reported as percentage of the control.
37
E f f e c t s of Organic Acids on t h e P r e s e r v a t i o n
and F e e d i n g Value of Dry and High- moisture Milo
O.
J. Cox, K. K.
Bo l s e n , J. G.
and D. B. S a u e r
Riley
Summary
(1) a r t i f i c i a l l y
The f o u r m i l o t r e a t m e n t s s t u d i e d were:
d r i e d , ( 2 ) a r t i f i c i a l l y d r i e d + o r g a n i c a c i d s , ( 3 ) high- moisture
e n s i l e d and ( 4 ) h i g h - m o i s t u r e + o r g a n i c a c i d s .
The d r y m i l o and
high- mois t u r e m i l o c o n t a i n e d 1 4 and 2 4 p e r c e n t m o i s t u r e , r e s p e c tively.
Milo i n t r e a t m e n t s 1, 2 , and 4 was s t o r e d i n u n l i n e d
c o n c r e t e b i n s ; m i l o i n t r e a t m e n t 3 was e n s i l e d i n an a i r - t i g h t
silo.
Each of the f o u r g r a i n t r e a t m e n t s w a s fed t o 15 y e a r l i n g
steers (avg. w e i g h t - 7 0 0 l b . ) for 104 d a y s .
The f i n a l r a t i o n s
c o n t a i n e d 82 p e r c e n t of t h e a p p r o p r i a t e m i l o , 1 3 p e r c e n t s i l a g e
and 5 p e r c e n t supplement, S t e e r s r e c e i v i n g high- mois t u r e m i l o
r a t i o n s g a i n e d faster and more e f f i c i e n t l y and had h i g h e r
d r e s s i n g p e r c e n t a g e s than s t e e r s r e c e i v i n g d r y milo rations.
S t e e r s fed o r g a n i c a c i d - t r e a t e d m i l o r a t i o n s consumed more f e e d
but w e r e less e f f i c i e n t than s t e e r s f e d u n t r e a t e d m i l o r a t i o n s .
C a r c a s s q u a l i t y and y i e l d g r a d e s were n o t a f f e c t e d by g r a i n
treatment.
A f t e r t h r e e months of s t o r a g e , high- mois t u r e m i l o t r e a t e d
w i t h o r g a n i c a c i d s had developed some mold and s p o i l a g e a d j a c e n t
t o t h e bin wall.
Moving t h e g r a i n t o a p o l y e t h y l e n e - l i n e d b i n
prevented f u r t h e r d e t e r i o r a t i o n .
Introduction
The e f f e c t i v e n e s s of an o r g a n i c a c i d m i x t u r e 3 as a p r e s e r v a t i v e f o r r e c o n s t i t u t e d m i l o was r e p o r t e d i n the 1 9 7 2
C a t t l e m a n ' s Day B u l l e t i n ( 5 5 7 ) . Steers f e d r e c o n s t i t u t e d m i l o
e i t h e r e n s i l e d i n an a i r - t i g h t s i l o o r t r e a t e d w i t h o r g a n i c
a c i d s had s i m i l a r f e e d l o t performance.
1
Organic a c i d s and f i n a n c i a l s u p p o r t p r o v i d e d by C e l a n e s e
2 Chemical Company, Corpus C h r i s t i , Texas,
USDA Grain M a r k e t i n g Research C e n t e r and Department o f P l a n t
Pathology.
3
O r g a n i c a c i d m i x t u r e ( t r a d e name - ChemStor) c o n t a i n s 6 0 % a c e t i c
and 4 0 % p r o p i o n i c a c i d s .
the r e l a t i o n s h i p o f b u s h e l w e i g h t t o g e l a t i n i z a t i o n p e r c e n t a g e
i s l i n e a r . Because f l a k e w e i g h t s o u t s i d e t h o s e l i m i t s are
u n u s u a l , f l a k e w e i g h t a l o n e may e s t i m a t e g e l a t i n i z a t i o n p e r centages accurately (correlation coefficient,
996)
-.
.
The e q u a t i o n f o r t h e l i n e i n f i g u r e
is: % g e l a t i n i z a t i o n = 156.1 - (3.65 x b u s h e l w e i g h t ) . Thus, i f you produce a
25-lb. f l a k e , g e l a t i n i z a t i o n p e r c e n t a g e = 156.1 - ( 3 . 6 5 ) ( 2 5 ) =
6 4 . 8 % . Each pound i n c r e a s e i n f l a k e w e i g h t d e c r e a s e s
g e l a t i n i z a t i o n by 3.65%.
G e l a t i n i z a t i o n p e r c e n t a g e s measured by e n z y m a t i c methods
are somewhat h i g h e r t h a n when e s t i m a t e d by commonly used
m i c r o s c o p i c methods. A s t a r c h g r a n u l e ruptured a t one s i t e i s
c o n s i d e r e d g e l a t i n i z e d by m i c r o s c o p i c methods. However, more
g e l a t i n i z a t i o n s t i l l can t a k e p l a c e .
Optimum g e l a t i n i z a t i o n i s g e n e r a l l y c o n s i d e r e d 30 t o 5 0 %
when measured by m i c r o s c o p i c methods. The optimum range w i l l be
h i g h e r when measured by s u c h enzyme methods a s gas p r o d u c t i o n .
To e s t i m a t e g e l a t i n i z a t i o n p e r c e n t a g e from f l a k e b u s h e l
w e i g h t , t h e g r a i n must b e weighed u n d e r c a r e f u l l y c o n t r o l l e d
c o n d i t i o n s ( a s g i v e n i n E x p e r i m e n t a l P r o c e d u r e s ) . Flakes that
have p a s s e d t h r o u g h a i r l i f t s o r o t h e r conveying equipment w i l l
be b r o k e n , a t l e a s t t o some e x t e n t .
That i n c r e a s e s t h e i r
bushel weight, b u t does n o t decrease g e l a t i n i z a t i o n percentage.
The r e l a t i o n s h i p between b u s h e l w e i g h t and m i l l c a p a c i t y i s
shown i n f i g u r e 2
Each 1-lb. d e c r e a s e i n b u s h e l w e i g h t r e d u c e s
m i l l c a p a c i t y 8.98 l b s . per minute.
The e q u a t i o n :
lbs. per
m i n u t e = - 1 4 3 . 0 1 + 8.98 ( b u s h e l w e i g h t ) d e s c r i b e s the r e l a t i o n ship.
Thus, f o r a b u s h e l w e i g h t o f 2 5 l b s . , t h e m i l l c a p a c i t y
was - 1 4 3 . 0 1 + 8.98 (25) o r 81.5 l b s . p e r minute.
The 18" x 24"
r o l l s a r e s m a l l e r t h a n t h o s e used i n most commercial feedlots.
However, good working d a t a can be d e v e l o p e d f o r i n d i v i d u a l
f l a k e r s by m e a s u r i n g m i l l c a p a c i t y w h i l e p r o d u c i n g f l a k e s of
v a r i o u s b u s h e l w e i g h t s and p l o t t i n g the r e s u l t s on a g r a p h .
.
E x p e r i m e n t II. Between s t e a m - c h e s t r e t e n t i o n t i m e s o f 2 0 and
50 m i n u t e s , e a c h a d d i t i o n a l 1 0 m i n u t e s i n t h e chamber i n c r e a s e d
g e l a t i n i z a t i o n 1.5%. Other w o r k e r s h a v e shown t h a t s h o r t steami n g times ( 5 t o 1 0 m i n u t e s ) produce u n a c c e p t a b l e f l a k e s .
According t o our d a t a , however, l i t t l e i s g a i n e d by s t e a m i n g
more than 20 m i n u t e s . However, u n u s u a l g r a i n c o n d i t i o n s m i g h t
c a l l f o r longer steaming t o s o f t e n t h e g r a i n f o r adequate flaking.
E x p e r i m e n t III.
I n c r e a s i n g t h e mois t u r e c o n t e n t of g r a i n e n t e r i n g t h e s t e a m chamber had n o c o n s i s t e n t i n f l u e n c e on g e l a t i n i z a t i o n . E x t r e m e l y d r y g r a i n s , however, m i g h t g i v e d i f f e r e n t r e s u l t s .
Adapted Rumen Microorganisms 1
(ARM) f o r F e e d l o t C a t t l e
J . G.
R i l e y , K . K . B o l s e n , and D . L . Good
Summary
Two t r i a l s u s i n g 2 0 0 mixed b r e e d steers were c o n d u c t e d
t o d e t e r m i n e e f f e c t s of 0 , 3 , 6 , o r 12- ounce d r e n c h e s o f
Adapted Rumen M i c r o o r g a n i s m s (ARM) on s u b s e q u e n t f e e d l o t
p e r f o r m a n c e . An 85 p e r c e n t c o n c e n t r a t e r a t i o n w a s f e d f o r
90- days b e f o r e d r e n c h i n g w i t h ARM.
S t e e r s r e c e i v i n g t h e 12- ounce t r e a t m e n t i n t r i a l 1 g a i n e d
1 4 . 4 pounds more p e r h e a d d u r i n g t h e n e x t 60-day f e e d i n g p e r i o d .
The 3 and 6- ounce t r e a t m e n t s w e r e less b e n e f i c i a l .
The 12- ounce t r e a t m e n t i n t r i a l 2 p r o d u c e d a h i g h l y s i g n i f i c a n t (P < .01) 15% i n c r e a s e i n r a t e of g a i n and a 1 2 . 5 % i n c r e a s e i n e f f i c i e n c y compared w i t h t h e c o n t r o l g r o u p .
Introduction
Most v e t e r a n c a t t l e f e e d e r s h a v e o b s e r v e d t h a t a f t e r a p p r o x i m a t e l y 90-100 d a y s o f f u l l f e e d i n g o r a t 800- 900 p o u n d s , Feedl o t c a t t l e ' s r a t e o f g a i n and e f f i c i e n c y o f t e n d r o p . T h e r e are
s e v e r a l t h e o r i e s f o r t h e "90- day slump" i n c l u d i n g d i f f e r e n c e s i n
g e n e t i c b a c k g r o u n d , p r e v i o u s t r e a t m e n t , and r a t i o n a d e q u a c y .
S t u d i e s a t W . R. Grace's W a s h i n g t o n R e s e a r c h C e n t e r i n C l a r k s v i l l e , M d . , i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e slump may b e d u e , i n p a r t a t l e a s t ,
t o a d e c r e a s i n g r a t i o o f a c e t a t e t o p r o p i o n a t e i n t h e rumen. I f
s o m i c r o b i a l i n n o c u l a t i o n o f rumens o f c a t t l e on f e e d 90 d a y s
m i g h t s t i m u l a t e i n c r e a s e d g a i n and e f f i c i e n c y .
Experimental Procedure
Two h u n d r e d mixed b r e e d s t e e r s were f e d a r a t i o n composed
o f 15% sorghum s i l a g e and 85% c o n c e n t r a t e ( r o l l e d m i l o and
supplement) 90 days.
I n t r i a l 1, 1 0 0 s t e e r s t h e n w e r e randomly
a l l o t t e d t o 20 p e n s o f 5 e a c h and d r e n c h e d w i t h Adapted Rumen
M i c r o o r g a n i s m s (ARM) ( t a b l e 1 ) . F i f t y of t h e o t h e r 100 s t e e r s
( t r i a l 2 ) r e c e i v e d a 12- ounce d r e n c h o f ARM and t h e o t h e r 50
s e r v e d as c o n t r o l s .
I n d i v i d u a l w e i g h t s w e r e t a k e n two c o n s e c u t i v e days a t b o t h t h e b e g i n n i n g and the end of each t r i a l and
30 d a y s a f t e r d r e n c h i n g .
A l l g r o u p s w e r e f e d t h e same r a t i o n
t w i c e d a i l y . C a r c a s s w e i g h t and g r a d e were c o l l e c t e d f o r e a c h
s t e e r . None w a s f e d a n t i b i o t i c s o r s t i l b e s t r o l .
1 Adapted
rumen m i c r o o r g a n i s m s , partial
f i n a n c i a l s u p p o r t , and
t e c h n i c a l a s s i s t a n c e were p r o v i d e d by W . R . Grace and C o . , Washi n g t o n R e s e a r c h C e n t e r , C l a r k s v i l l e , Maryland.
R e p r e s e n t e d by
O. D. M y r i c k , J r . and P . H . Hahn.
68
Postweaning average daily gain and adjusted final weight
for both steers and heifers were analyzed by least squares
procedures using the same model except the birth date was
not included as a covariate.
Postweaning growth, puberty, and pregnancy data on the
heifers in the 1971 calf crop are presented in table 10.
The heifers were kept in drylot from weaning through the
artificial insemination breeding period (early July). Their
postweaning ration was 50% corn silage and 50% grass silage
fed ad libitum or a grass silage and grain mixture to provide an equivalent energy intake. The adjusted 400-day weight
is based on a full weight; the adjusted 550-day weight is
based on a shrunk weight.
Date of puberty, defined as date of first observed
standing estrus, was determined by checking animals for
estrus twice daily. Body weights were taken every 28 days
from weaning to the breeding period and again when the
breeding period terminated. Heifers were inseminated only
after standing for vasectomized bulls or other heifers. Following the 45-day artificial insemination breeding season,
heifers were placed on pasture for a 24-day natural service
breeding period. The percentage of heifers reaching puberty
by 15 months and the average age of those that reached
puberty are for heifers observed in estrus up to the end of
the artificial insemination breeding season only; the percentage pregnant includes heifers that may have reach puberty
and bred during the 24-day natural service breeding period.
Phase II
Data on calving and rebreeding as two year olds for
heifers born in 1970 are presented in tables 11 and 12.
They were bred in 1971 by artificial insemination to Hereford,
Angus,Brahman, Devon and Holstein bulls and to Hereford
and Angus bulls during the cleanup period.
Because numbers of calves by each sire breed group
were disproportionate among the cow breeding groups and
because calves in some of the sire breed-dam breed subgroups
were so few, weaning weights of the calves are not given
and data in tables 11 and 1 2 were not statistically analyzed.
That will be done with results published after data from
three calf crops are available. Data presented here should
be considered preliminary.
Females in phase II will be bred as two year olds (to
Hereford, Angus, Gelbvieh, Maine Anjou and Chianina bulls)
to calve as three year olds. Then these cows will be bred
naturally to Brown Swiss bulls for their third and fourth
calves.
70
Charolais and Limousin calves used feed somewhat more
efficiently than any other breed. Charolais and Angus-Hereford reciprocally crossed steers were about average in feed
efficiency; Jersey steers appeared to be less efficient
than the other breeds.
Simmental and Charolais steers were heavier than other
breeds at slaughter because of their heavier weaning weights
and higher average daily gains. South Devon, Limousin, and
Angus-Hereford reciprocally crossed steers were all three
similar in slaughter weights.
Dressing percentage differences were not large, but
Limousins dressed somehwat higher than other breeds and
Jerseys dressed somewhat lower.
All steers averaged between high Good and low Choice
on the rail. On a scoring system of 9 for high Good, 10
for low Choice, all steers averaged 9.5. The average grade
and the percentage of all steers grading low Choice or better
were lower for the 1971 calf crop than for the 1970 calf
crop. The 1971 steers averaged slightly younger than the
1970 steers, which could partially explain why the grades
were lower. Also, some grading personnel changed between
the two years, which may partially explain lower grades
for the 1971 steers. Steers out of Angus cows graded somewhat higher than steers out of Hereford cows. The average
quality grade increased from the first to the last slaughter
group, as expected.
Limousin and Charolais steers had lower Yield Grade
scores than other breeds with Simmental steers running close
third. Larger rib eye areas and less external fat covering
gave those three breeds the more desirable Yield Grade scores.
Angus and Hereford straightbreds, Jersey crosses, and South
Devon crosses were similar in Yield Grades while Angus-Hereford reciprocally crossed steers tended to have the least
desirable Yield Grades. Jersey steers had higher percentages of kidney and pelvic fat than other breeds did.
Actual cutability and retail product percentages were
definitely higher for Charolais steers followed closely by
Limousins and then by Simmentals. South Devon Crosses and
straightbred Angus and Herefords had cutability percentages
about 3% below those of the first three breeds. Jersey and
Angus-Hereford reciprocal crosses were similar in cut-out
percentages. Steers out of Hereford dams had slightly higher
cutability percentages than those out of Angus dams.
Bone percentage differences were small between breeds.
Charolais and Simmental steers had slightly higher bone percentages than other breeds, and steers out of Hereford cows
tended to have higher bone percentages than steers out of
Angus cows.
Table
Breed
of sire
Breed
o f dam
Hereford
Angus
Hereford
Angus
Average
Angus
Hereford
3
.
No. a
ca l ves
Preweaning summary, 1970-71-72 calf-crops.
Preweaning
A.D.G., lb.
Adjusted 200day wt., lb. b
200-day
wt. ratio
birth
date
Birth
wt., lb.
132
203
335
Apr. 1
Mar. 27
Mar. 29
83.5
76.0
79.8
1.83
1.96
1.90
450
46 9
459
95.7 c
95.9 d
95.8 e
Hereford
Angus
Average
179
157
336
Mar. 31
Mar. 28
Mar. 30
82.0
81.1
81.6
1.91
2.03
1.97
464
487
475
98.7 c
99.6 d
99.2 e
Jersey
Hereford
Angus
Average
116
167
283
Mar. 31
Mar. 24
Mar. 28
74.8
71.1
73.0
1.87
1.92
1.90
449
455
452
95.5 c
93.0 d
94.4 e
South Devon
Hereford
Angus
Average
107
108
215
Apr. 2
Mar. 31
Apr. 1
88.1
83.3
85.7
1.89
2.03
1.96
467
490
478
99.4 c
100.2 d
99.8 e
Limousin
Hereford
Angus
Average
179
174
353
Apr. 11
Apr. 7
Apr. 9
88.4
84.7
86.5
1.93
2.06
1.99
473
498
485
100.6 c
101.8 d
101.3 e
Simmental
Hereford
Angus
Average
182
202
384
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
6
1
3
93.5
88.6
91.1
1.99
2.10
2.05
492
510
501
104.7 c
104.3 d
104.6 e
Charolais
Hereford
Angus
Average
163
195
358
Apr. 4
Mar. 31
Apr. 2
93.9
90.0
91.9
2.00
2.13
2.06
493
516
505
104.9 c
105.5 d
105.4 e
100.0
Average o f
Hereford
1058
Apr. 3
86.3
1.92
470
a l l sire
Angus
1206
Mar. 31
82.1
2.03
489
100.0
100.0
breeds
Average
2264
Apr. 1
84.2
1.98
479
a
Includes a l l steer and heifer calves weaned.
Adjusted t o a steer and a 5-, 6, and 7-year-old
-,
cow bases.
Ratio computed r e l a t i v e to average f o r Hereford cows adjusted t o a steer calf and a 5-. 6-, and 7-year-old cow bases.
Ratio computed r e l a t i v e t o average f o r Angus cows, adjusted t o a steer c a l f and a 5-, 6-, and 7-year-old cow bases.
Ratio computed r e l a t i v e t o overall average adjusted t o a steer c a l f a n d a 5-. 6-, and 7-year-old cow bases.
Table
Breed
of sire
Breed
o f dam
Hereford
Angus
Hereford
Angus
Average
Angus
Hereford
Hereford
Angus
Average
Jersey
Hereford
Angus
Average
South Devon
Hereford
Angus
Average
Limousin
Hereford
Angus
Average
Simmental
Hereford
Angus
Average
Charolais
Hereford
Angus
Average
Average o f
a l l sire
breeds
Hereford
Angus
Average
7. Least squares means f o r y i e l d grade, r i b eye area, f a t thickness and percentages o f kidney,
pelvic, and heart fat a , 1971 c a l f c r o p .
U.S.D.A.
Yield Grade
200 242 284 Avg.
3.0
3.6
3.3
3.1
4.0
3.6
3.4
3.8
3.6
3.2
3.8
3.5
Ribeyearea, sq. in.
200 242 284 Avg.
11.0
10.9
11.0
11.9
12.0
12.0
11.7 11.5
11.6 11.5
11.6 11.5
Fat thickness, in.
200 242 284 Avg.
.45
.71
.58
.66
.91
.79
.63
.83
.73
.58
.82
.70
78
Estimated kidney, pelvic
and heart fat, %
200 242 284
Avg.
2.7
3.1
2.9
2.2
3.8
3.0
2.4
2.8
2.6
2.4
3.2
2.8
a Data f o r a l l carcass t r a i t s adjusted by regression on b i r t h date t o the average age of each slaughter group, and adjusted
f o r age o f dam.
.
a
Table 8
Least squares means f o r actual percentages of c u t a b i l i t y , r e t a i l product, f a t t r i m and bone,
1971 c a l f crop.
R e t a i l product,
200 242
284
67.2 66.8
66.1
66.9 63.1
64.5
65.3
67.1 65.0
%c c
Avg.
66.7
64.8
65.8
200
20.0
21.4
20.7
51.7
52.1
51.9
64.7
65.9
65.3
64.2
64.3
64.3
63.7
63.0
63.4
64.2
64.4
64.3
23.1
22.2
22.7
24.7
24.7
24.7
25.1
26.4
25.8
52.2
52.4
52.3
52.2
51.7
52.0
66.0
64.1
65.1
64.4
64.5
64.5
64.1
65.1
64.6
64.8
64.6
64.7
21.5
23.9
22.7
23.1
23.8
23.5
51.9
49.7
50.8
53.1
53.5
53.3
53.0
52.5
52.7
67.3
68.1
67.7
65.1
62.2
63.7
64.8
65.9
65.4
65.7
65.4
65.6
19.6
19.9
19.8
Hereford 55.7
Angus
56.0
Average 55.9
54.0
55.7
54.9
56.0
55.4
55.7
55.2
55.7
55.5
68.4
69.3
68.9
67.3
68.4
67.9
68.8
67.4
68.1
68.2
68.4
68.3
Simmental
Hereford 55.4
Angus
54.2
Average 54.8
56.2
54.5
55.4
56.3
54.4
55.4
56.0
54.4
55.2
67.9
67.0
67.5
69.2
67.3
68.3
68.6
66.6
67.6
Charolais
Hereford 58.3
Angus
55.6
Average 57.0
56.7
55.9
56.3
56.8
54.8
55.8
57.3
55.4
56.4
71.1
68.8
70.0
69.9
68.9
69.4
68.8
67.0
67.9
Breed
of s i r e
Hereford
Angus
Cutability, %
Breed
of dam
200 242
284 Avg.
54.1 54.2
Hereford 54.3 54.3
52.2 52.0
Angus
53.5 50.2
52.3 53.1
Average 53.9 52.3
Angus
Hereford
Hereford
Angus
Average
51.9
53.2
52.6
51.5
51.8
51.7
51.8
51.2
51.5
Jersey
Hereford 52.6
Angus
51.6
Average 52.1
51.7
51.2
51.5
54.0
54.2
54.1
Limousin
South Devon Hereford
Angus
Average
Average
Hereford 54.6 53.8
of all
Angus
54.0 52.7
sirebr e e d s Average 54.3 53.2
54.3 54.2
53.4 53.4
53.9 53.8
67.5 66.7
67.2 65.5
67.3 66.1
Fat t r i m , %
242 - 284 Avg.
21.4
22.4 21.3
26.4
24.9 24.2
23.7 22.8
23.9
200
12.8
11.7
12.3
Bone,
242
11.8
10.4
11.1
284 Avq.
11.5 12.0
10.6 10.9
11.1 11.5
24.3
24.4
24.4
12.1
11.9
12.0
11.0
10.9
11.0
11.2
10.6
10.9
11.4
11.1
11.3
24.4
23.6
24.0
23.0
23.8
23.4
12.6
11.9
12.3
12.4
11.7
12.1
11.6
11.3
11.5
12.2
11.6
12.0
23.1
27.1
25.1
23.9
22.9
23.4
22.2
23.3
22.8
13.0
12.0
12.5
11.7
10.8
11.3
11.3
11.2
11.3
12.0
11.3
11.7
20.0
18.8
19.4
21.0
20.5
20.8
19.2
21.7
20.5
20.1
20.3
20.2
11.6
11.9
11.8
11.6
11.1
11.4
12.0
10.9
11.5
11.7
11.3
11.5
68.6
67.0
67.8
18.4
20.2
19.3
18.3
20.6
19.5
18.6
21.4
20.0
18.4
20.7
19.6
13.8
12.8
13.3
12.5
12.1
12.3
12.8
12.0
12.4
13.0
12.3
12.7
69.9
68.2
69.1
15.9
18.8
17.4
17.3
19.3
18.3
18.9
21.4
20.2
17.4
19.8
18.6
13.0
12.4
12.7
12.8
11.8
12.3
12.2
11.6
11.9
12.7
11.9
12.3
66.4 66.9
65.6 66.1
66.0 66.5
19.8 21.3
20.7 23.2
20.3 22.3
21.8 21.0 12.7
23.2 22.4 12.1
22.5 21.7 12.4
%
12.0 11.8 12.2
11.3 11.2 11.5
11.6 11.5 11.8
a Data f o r a l l carcass t r a i t s adjusted by regression on b i r t h date t o the average age o f each slaughter group,
and adjusted f o r age o f dam.
b Cutability. % = Actual y i e l d o f boneless, closely trimmed beef from
the round, l o i n , r i b , and chuck.
R e t a i l Product. % = Actual y i e l d o f boneless, closely trimmed beef from the, carcass.
79
Table 10.
Postweaning growth and reproductive performance o f yearling heifers, 1971 calf crop.
postweaning
avg. d a i l y
gain, lb.
Breed
of sire
Breed
of dam
Hereford
Angus
Hereford
Angus
Average
16
21
37
0.99
1.07
1.03
Angus
Hereford
Hereford
Angus
Average
27
24
51
1.18
1.13
1.16
Jersey
Hereford
Angus
Average
South Devon
Hereford
Angus
Average
Limousin
Hereford
Angus
Average
Simmental
Hereford
Angus
Average
Charolais
Hereford
Angus
Average
No.
heifers
Adj.
400-day a
wt., lb.
Adj.
550-day
wt., lb.
% reaching
puberty
by 15 mos.
Avg. age
a t puberty
days
%
d
pregnant
616
653
635
742
764
754
81
100
92
415
3 70
393
88
90
89
665
681
674
783
782
783
Average o f
Hereford
155
1.12
653
781
92
395
a l l sire
Angus
157
1.12
677
782
99
366
breeds
Average
1.12
665
781
312
96
380
a
Adjusted 400-day weight = Adjusted 200-day weight + (200-day postweaning average d a i l y gain x 200 days).
bAdjusted 550-day weight = Adjusted 200-day weight + (350-day postweaning average d a i l y gain x 350 days).
c Includes only heifers reaching puberty by 15 months and should be interpreted i n r e l a t i o n t o the percentage reaching
dpuberty by 15 months.
Breeding period was 46 days by a r t i f i c i a l insemination and 24 days by natural service.
86
89
88
81