Abstract

In a previous report (ISRF01-10), we reported on a study that demonstrated that fall-born steer calves pastured on bromegrass for either portions of or all of the grazing season and then finished in drylot, outperformed calves placed directly into the feedlot in terms of profit/head at harvest. Areas consisting of highly productive soils, interdispersed with highly erodible land, are well suited for this kind of production practice. Production systems of this nature are quite consistent with the concepts of sustainable agriculture. In an effort to capture more grazing potential, it was decided to incorporate warmseason grasses into the pasture program so that forage production would be enhanced during the hot summer months of July and August when cool-season grasses may become nearly dormant. Therefore, the objective of this multiyear study was to compare steer calves provided a combination of cool- and warm-season grass pastures with calves provided cool-season grass pastures only and followed by all calves being finished in drylot. Growth performance and carcass composition, were compared among treatments.

Keywords: Animal Science

How to Cite:

Hoffman, M. P. & Roush, W. B., (2003) “Integration of Cool- and Warm-Season Grass Pasturing Systems into Cattle Finishing Programs”, Iowa State University Research and Demonstration Farms Progress Reports 2002(1).