Restricted Feeding Strategies for Reducing Heat Load of Yearling Steers

Eighty-four Bos taurus crossbred steers were used to investigate effects of level and duration of limit feeding feedlot cattle in a hot environment. Restricting feed intake to 70 to 80% of ad libitum for 21 days duration (RES21) or for 42 days duration (RES42) reduced tympanic temperature in both RES21 and RES42 when compared with ad libitum treatment groups under both thermoneutral and hot conditions. Temperature reduction approached 1.5 F0 depending on time of day. Limit feeding feedlot cattle during early summer is a successful tool for enhancing animal comfort by alleviating the combined effects of high temperatures and relative humidities