Liveweight change of yearling steers returned to pasture after hand feeding

Abstract

When yearling beef steers were returned to pasture after being fed in a feedlot, they lost more liveweight than similar steers that had remained on pasture. As the continuous period in the feedlot immediately before common grazing increased, the loss of weight increased. Three, six or nine weeks grazing before the final feedlot period, did not affect weight loss when the steers were finally returned to pasture. The use of hay in decreasing amounts at pasture served only to delay the eventual weight loss of the steers from the feedlots. It is postulated that during hand feeding the steers progressively lost the ability to graze efficiently.