incaster Farming, fj Livestock Notes I li Effects Of Early Weaning On Feedlot Performance John W. Comerford Assoc. Prof. Dairy & Animal Swine Penn State A research study from Oklaho ma State University (Gill et al.) has shown the effects of early weaning on feedlot performance. In this trial, calves were weaned: ■ at 3 1/2 months and shipped directly to the feedlot; ■ at seven months and shipped to the feedlot; *r ■ wintered in drylot and then allowed to graze native range for 122 days before entering the feedlot. Slaughter ages were 13.1,14.5, and 20.7 months of age for early weaned, normally weaned, and backgrounded steers, respectively. All steers were slaughtered at about .5 in rib fat. The purpose of the study was to examine how early-weaned calves may differ from their conventionally-weaned counter parts during a finishing phase. There are times when early wean ing may be a beneficial practice for the cow-calf producer, particu larly when drought or other condi tions prevent cow herd from receiving adequate nutrition dur ing late lactation. The results of the Oklahoma study are shown in the table below. The early-weaned calves had a lower average daily gain, were lighter at slaughter, and were fatter than the other groups. The A LESSON WELL LEARNED... LANCASTER FARMING'S CLASSIFIED ADS GET RESULTS! lay, July le, authors indicate that it was harder to visually determine fat thickness in these cattle. However, with all other costs considered, the early weaned calves may have been more profitable because of the time when they were marketed. This group was marketed in April, which is historically a seasonal high point in fed-cattle price. The backgrounded steers were mark eted in summer and fall. A glaring omission from the data is the health of the steers. One of the major problems with feed ing young calves is the higher morbidity and mortality rates gen erally found when feeding calves compared to yearlings. At Penn State, we plan to examine this issue in a fall trial where we will early wean calves, but leave them on pasture for two months before moving them to the feedlot This will allow us to determine if the stresses of weaning can be over come with two additional months on pasture, and how the early weaned calves for production and health early in the feedlot phase. Coupling these results with the Oklahoma study should give a clearer picture of how to handle the early-weaned calf. Treatment Early weaned Normal weaned Backgrounded - sM-B 9- Wherever it’s ridden, the Suzuki Katana® 750 improves the view. ■ Combines race-proven technology with a comfortable sport touring riding position ■ Unmistakable Katana style ■ Clean design effectively reduces air turbulence at highway speeds g g At Suzuki we want every nde to be safe and enjoyable So always wear a helmet, eye protection and jS § protective clothing Never nde under the influence of alcohol or other drugs Study your owner's @ =i ( manual and always inspect your Suzuki before riding Take a riding skills course For the course §6 nearest you call the Motorcycle Safety Foundation at 1-800-447-4700 Professional nder pictured g Slaughter weight Ob) 1154 1178 1222 ADG (Ib/day) 2.93 3.22 3.02 # SUZUKI. The ride you’ve been waiting for.“ Economics Of Supplemental Feeding Of Beef Cattle Steve Ford Asst Prof, of Agricultural Economics Penn State Thanks to the state’s large food processing industry, Pennsylvania livestock producers can choose from a wide variety of supplemen tal feeds, such as bakery waste, livestock byproducts, food waste, and feed-grain byproducts. In addition, many supplemental feeds are transported like com modity feeds, and are available to Pennsylvania livestock producers. Brewers and distillers grains, wheat bran, cottonseed, and whole grains are readily available from feed suppliers. Livestock producers need to make informed economic deci sions when purchasing any feed. The primary consideration for any producer should be how to get the most gain for the least cost Con sequently, feed purchase decisions should be based both on animal nutritional requirements and the cost of meeting those requirements. What does the feed cost? Livestock producers are inter ested in purchasing feed with nutritional value. Of course, nutri tional value varies from feed to feed, even from load to load for the same type of feed. Variation in nutritional value is due partly to the quality of different feeds, with respect to a specific nutritional Fat thickness (In) .61 .56 .51 Profit per head ($) 143.11 60.73 -20.48 component (e.g., protein). Other variation comes from the different moisture content in feeds. Produc ers should purchase feed based on dry matter content. Otherwise they are buying high-priced water. For example, two loads of com are available at $lOO and $lO5 per ton. The load selling for $lOO has a dry matter content of 80 percent, and the other tests at 90 percent dry matter. If we price the com based on dry matter content, the load at 80 percent dry matter costs $125 per ton of dry matter ($lOO divided by .80). The other load costs $116.67 per ton of dry mat ter ($lO5 divided by .90). The more expensive com turns out to be cheaper of the two when priced on the actual feed value per ton. Producers should purchase individual nutrients in the same way buying per pound of nutri ent, not per pound of product For example, if a livestock producer is interested in buying a protein source, the feed alternatives should be compared based on the price of protein in each feed. Sup pose there are two protein feed alternatives, one at 20 percent pro tein and one at 35 percent on a dry matter basis. Both feeds contain 90 percent dry matter. The feed with the lower protein content is selling for $lBO per ton, while the other sells for $220 per ton. Which feed is the better deal? Both con tain 1,800 pounds of dry matter per ton of feed (2000 pounds x .9). The first feed contains 360 pounds of protein (1800 pounds x .2) or $0.50 per pound of protein ($lBO divided by 360 pounds). The sec ond feed contains 630 pounds of protein (1800 pounds x .35) or $0.35 per pound of protein ($220 divided by 630 pounds). Once again, the more expensive feed has turned out to be a better buy. ' HOG & DAIRY ; INSECTICIDE SYSTEM Reg. *595 - _ Ann NOW s lso°° i Beat the Flies APACHE FLY BAIT w/STATIONS s ßeg. *10” (a qq NOW *2’" jway Latex Barn & Fence Paint iesigned for durability on exterior wood or isonry • choose white or red (650-140, 42) 931 Reg. $44.99 $ 34" Agway Linseed Oil Paint • protects and beautifies all types of exterior wood surfaces • choose white or red (650-143,45) 5 gal s>l/199 Reg. $54.99 *44 Asphalt Fence Paint 5 gal s*| 9" | HENRY B. HOOVER INC. 1731 W. Main St., Ephrata, PA 17522 IAGWAY QUANTITIES 717-733-6593 LIMITED Although both of the above examples indicate that the more expensive feed is a better buy, that is not always the case. Livestock producers should evaluate all alternatives themselves. They also should remember that many feeds have other nutritional components in addition to protein. For exam ple, price differences must also consider energy, vitamin, and mineral differences, as well as toxicity levels and palatability. The costs of storage also should be included in supplemental feed ing cost estimates. These include not only the cost of the storage structure, but also storage losses, handling, and feed losses. A 3 to 7 percent storage loss is common on livestock farms, although that will vary somewhat depending on the type of feed. Handling costs also will vary across feeds and farms. In general, bagged feeds will be more expensive than the same feeds sold in bulk, but the addi tional cost of bagging may or may not offset the costs of handling and storing bulk feeds, depending on the farm situation. The use of some supplemental feeds may require on-farm grinding and mix ing. Costs for equipment and labor can be substantial. Finally, feed ing losses will also vary across feeds. Palatability and feeding systems will determine the extent of feeding loss. Again, a 2 to 8 percent feeding loss is not uncom mon. When all the storage and feeding losses are accounted for, the actual cost of the feed fed to cattle may increase 10 percent or more. What supplemental feeds are economical? The best buys for supplemental feeds vary with a number of fac tors. First, supplemental feeding (Turn to Pago A3g) Spring Houra Mon-Frl 7 30am-8 00pm Sat 7 30«n-5 00pm
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