Effect of Backgrounding System on Performance and Profitability of Yearling Beef Steers

Five summer management strategies were compared following grazing corn residue through winter. Cattle were assigned to be 1) summer finished, 2) graze bromegrass, 3) graze bromegrass and fed distillers grains at 0.6% of BW, 4) backgrounded in a drylot pen to gain 1.70 lb/d, or 5) backgrounded in a drylot pen to gain 2.35 lb/d. Results differed by year, however, in general as backgrounding ADG increased, days required on feed to reach an equal fat endpoint decreased. In year 1, ADG of cattle grazing bromegrass was less than cattle backgrounded in pens. There was no difference in finishing ADG for summer backgrounded steers. In year 2, steers grazing bromegrass with no supplement had the lowest summer ADG but exhibited compensatory growth in the feedlot. Overall, backgrounding systems increase carcass weights when cattle are finished to an equal fat thickness