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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #58029
Title: STOCKER AND FEEDLOT PERFORMANCE OF FOUR DIFFERENT GENOTYPES OF BEEF CATTLE REARED ON ENDOPHYTE INFECTED FESCUE PASTURES

Author
item PHILLIPS, WILLIAM
item BROWN, MICHAEL

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science Supplement
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/15/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Spring born calves of four different genotypes and reared on either bermudagrass (B) or endophyte infected fescue (F) pastures were weaned in t fall and transported from Booneville, AR to El Reno, OK (400 km) to determi the effect of fescue toxicosis on subsequent performance. Over a 3-year period 258 calves sired by Hereford bulls and reared by dams of different Angus (A) and Brahman (B) combinations (A X A, A X B, B X A or B X B) were blocked by breed, sex and previous forage treatment and randomly assigned t either dormant native range or wheat pasture for a 104-d winter (Nov. to Ma grazing period. During a 115-d spring/summer (March to July) grazing perio cool season annuals and warm season grasses were used. Calves in the HBB group gained more (P<.01) weight during the winter (43 vs 32 kg) and spring/summer (85 vs 67 kg) grazing period than the other 3 genotypes. Cal of all Brahman genotypes were heavier (P<.01) at the end of the stockering period than HAA calves (359 vs 313 kg). Calves reared on F pastures were lighter (P<.01) at the initiation (224 vs 251 kg) of the grazing period, bu gained 19% more (P<.01) weight (37 vs 31 kg) during the winter period than calves reared on B pastures; however, spring/summer gains (70 kg) were similar. Feedlot performance and carcass characteristics were determined after a 117-d finishing period, which began in July. Calves previously rea on F pastures entered the feedlot 21 kg lighter (P<.01), finished the feedi period 31 kg lighter (P<.01), and yielded carcasses that were 18 kg lighter (P<.01) than calves reared on B pastures. Calves in the B group had larger (P<.01) REA and higher (P<.01) marbling scores than calves in the F group, yield grades were not different. Being reared on F pastures did not negatively affect stocker performance, but did lower feedlot performance as