Effects of concentrate distribution pattern on the performance of finishing steer fed silage.

Abstract

The present economic level of concentrate supplementation for finishing steers offered silage ad libitum is in the range 4 to 7 kg per head daily depending on factors such as concentrate costs, type of animal being finished and anticipated carcass price (Keane, 1998). Concentrates are normally fed at a flat rate throughout the finishing period either as one or two discrete meals per day or as part of a mixed ration. In recent years, mainly because of the need to hold cattle until specific dates to collect premia, the practice of varying the level of concentrates throughout the finishing period has developed. Feeding a lower level early on prevents animals being finished before their eligible premia dates, and then if they are not finished as the eligible premia date approaches, the level of concentrates is increased to permit rapid disposal after the retention date has passed. As animals mature and fatten, their rate of gain declines even when energy intake remains constant. This could have an adverse effect on meat quality as there is evidence that a declining rate of gain before slaughter predisposes to poorer quality meat. Furthermore, Mediterranean markets in which Irish beef processors are showing increasing interest require carcasses with muscle which is light red in colour and fat which is white in colour. These colour traits are more likely when animals are fed a high level of concentrates towards the end of the finishing period. The objectives of the present study were 1) to compare different distribution patterns of supplementary concentrates for finishing steers, and 2) to ascertain if there were interactions between concentrate feeding pattern and breed type.