Effects of Confinement Feeding Systems on Beef Cattle Production

Several factors have stimulated interest in housing systems for feedlot cattle. Some of these factors are (1) the desire to eliminate problems associated with the use of bedding, (2) the desire to decrease the labor required for feeding, bedding and manure handling, (3) the need to develop effective pollution control measures and (4) the desire to know the effects that housing systems may have on the performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle. The objectives of the trials reported herein were (1) to study the influence of housing systems on the performance of finishing steer calves and (2) to study the effect of animal density on feedlot performance. The housing systems studied are described below