Liveweight change, grazing time of steers and effect of pasture height on liveweight change following periods of hand feeding

Abstract

In two separate experiments, steers that had been fed hay in a feedlot lost weight during their first week at pasture whereas similar animals that grazed pasture throughout at least maintained liveweight. There was no difference in the grazing time per head of animals previously lot fed and those accustomed to grazing but steers previously from feedlots grazed longer per unit of metabolic liveweight. Length of pasture available for grazing following the feedlot phase was important. Differences in liveweight change between steers previously from a feedlot and those from pasture were less when animals grazed a tall rather than a short pasture. The reduction in loss was not significant.