Manger space restriction does not negatively impact growth efficiency of feedlot heifers program fed a concentrate-based diet to gain 1.36 kg daily

Abstract

The objective of this research was to determine the influence manger space restriction had on program-fed feedlot heifers during the growing phase. Charolais × Angus heifers [initial body weight (BW) = 329 ± 22.1 kg] were used in a 109-d backgrounding study. Heifers were received approximately 60 d prior to study initiation. Initial processing (53 d before study initiation) included individual BW, application of an identification tag, vaccination against viral respiratory pathogens and clostridial species, and administration of doramectin pour-on for control of internal and external parasites. All heifers were administered 36 mg of zeranol at study initiation and were assigned to 1 of 10 pens (n = 5 pens/treatment with 10 heifers/pen) in a randomized complete block design (blocked by location). Each pen was randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: 20.3 cm (8IN) or 40.6 cm (16IN) of linear bunk space/heifer. Heifers were individually weighed on d 1, 14, 35, 63, 84 and 109. Heifers were programmed to gain 1.36 kg daily based on predictive equations set forth by the California Net Energy System. To calculate predictive values, a final BW of 575 kg was assumed to be the mature BW of the heifers and tabular net energy values of 2.05 NEm and 1.36 NEg from d 1 to 22, 2.00 NEm and 1.35 NEg from d 23 to 82, and 1.97 NEm and 1.32 NEg from d 83 to 109 were used. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS 9.4 with manger space allocation as the fixed effect and block as the random effect. No differences (P > 0.35) were observed between 8IN or 16IN heifers for initial BW, final BW, average daily gain, dry matter intake, feed efficiency, variation in daily weight gain within each pen or applied energetic measures. No differences (P > 0.50) were observed between treatments for morbidity. Although not statistically analyzed, 8IN heifers appeared to have looser stools during the first two weeks compared to the 16IN heifers. These data suggest restricting manger space allocation from 40.6 cm to 20.3 cm did not negatively influence gain efficiency or the efficiency of dietary net energy utilization in heifers programmed fed a concentrate-based diet to gain 1.36 kg daily. The use of tabular net energy values and required net energy of maintenance and retained energy equations are an effective means to program cattle to a desired rate of daily gain during the growing phase.