Fattening steers on hay and oats

Abstract

Hereford steers aged 18 to 20 months were confined in feedlots and given rations of baled pasture hay and whole oat grain during late summer in two successive years. Mid-season hay ad libitum plus 1.4, 2.7, or 4.1 kg of oats a day were used in experiment 1 and early hay with 1.4, 2.7, or 4.1 kg of oats and mid-season hay with 2.7, 4.1, or 5.4 kg of oats in experiment 2. Steers were slaughtered when they had reached liveweights of approximately 370 kg in the first experiment or 41 6 kg in the second experiment. As the level of oats in the ration increased, the liveweight gain of the steers increased. Those receiving the highest oat rations gaining at 0.8 to 1.1 kg per day. The addition of grain to the diet reduced the time to slaughter, lowered the daily intake of hay, and reduced the quantity of fodder required per unit of liveweight gain. The mean conversion ratios declined by 1.8 units for each additional ten per cent of oats in the ration. The higher levels of grain tended to increase dressing percentage, fat thickness and the quantity of fat in the carcase. The results are discussed in relation to market requirements, availability and relative costs of ration components and the economic implications of fattening in late summer on the price and seasonal distribution on the production of meat. It is concluded that the system would have application in southern Australia for properties raising steers on pasture.