Abstract
An experiment was conducted to compare three weaning ages on cow-calf performance and steer carcass traits. Crossbred steers (n = 168; 1/2 Simmental × 1/4 Angus × 1/4 Hereford) were randomly assigned to three treatments with eight pens per treatment: groups were 1) weaned at an average of 90 d of age (90 ± 13 d) and placed in the feedlot, 2) weaned at an average of 152 d of age (152 ± 13 d) and placed in the feedlot, and 3) weaned at an average of 215 d of age (215 ± 13 d) and placed in the feedlot. The number of days steers were finished decreased by 55 and 38 d (linear, P = .0001) as weaning age increased when slaughtered at a constant fat end point (.81 cm). Weaning at an average of 90 and 152 d of age improved overall ADG by .15 and .07 kg/d, respectively, over weaning at an average of 215 d of age (linear, P = .005). Over the entire finishing period, intake increased (linear, P = .0006) and efficiency was poorer (linear, P = .004) as weaning age increased. Owing to differences in finishing days and intake, total concentrate consumed increased (linear, P = .03) as weaning age decreased. No differences (P > .21) were observed for carcass weight, longissimus muscle area, or yield grade. No differences (P > .19) were observed in marbling score or percentage of steers grading greater than or equal to Choice or Average Choice. Cow body condition score improved (linear, P = .0001) as weaning age decreased. Pregnancy rate improved 12 percentage units (linear, P = .15) for cows on the 90-d weaning treatment. In this study, early weaning improved gain and feed efficiency, but it increased total concentrate consumed.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 323-329 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of animal science |
Volume | 77 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 1999 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Beef cattle
- Reproduction
- Weaning
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Food Science
- Animal Science and Zoology
- Genetics