Corn versus Barley in Finishing Diets: Effect on Steer Performance and Feeding Behavior
Hannah M DelCurto-Wyffels1, Julia M Dafoe2, Cory T Parsons2
1Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|April 3, 2021
Summary
Corn-fed steers showed improved weight gain and carcass characteristics compared to barley-fed steers. However, barley rations may offer a cost-effective alternative for beef cattle finishing, warranting further economic analysis.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Ruminant Nutrition
- Beef Cattle Production
Background:
- Finishing rations significantly impact feedlot performance and carcass traits in beef cattle.
- Understanding the comparative effects of different grain sources, such as corn and barley, is crucial for optimizing cattle diets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of barley versus corn finishing rations on feedlot performance and feeding behavior in steers.
- To compare key performance indicators including weight gain, feed efficiency, and carcass characteristics between steers fed different rations.
Main Methods:
- Steers were assigned to feedlot rations primarily containing either corn or barley as the concentrate source.
- Individual animal intake and behavior were monitored using a GrowSafe system.
- Measurements included weight gain, average daily gain (ADG), gain-to-feed ratio, and detailed feeding behavior parameters.
Main Results:
- Corn-fed steers exhibited significantly greater average daily gain (ADG) and heavier hot carcass weights (HCW) compared to barley-fed steers (p < 0.01).
- Corn-fed steers also had a higher yield grade (p < 0.01).
- No significant differences were observed in feeding behavior metrics between the two ration groups (p ≥ 0.11).
Conclusions:
- Corn-based finishing rations promote superior growth performance and carcass yield in steers compared to barley-based rations.
- Despite lower performance, barley presents a potential high-quality feed source for beef cattle finishing, contingent on cost-effectiveness.
- Further economic evaluation is recommended to determine the viability of barley in finishing rations relative to corn.
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