Soybean Meal and Urea Supplements with Corn Silage at Various Stages of Feeding for Growing Cattle

Calves weaned and fed supplements containing urea generally have a period of reduced performance in comparison to those fed soybean meal supplements. The period of reduced gains may last for 3 to 4 weeks for calves unapted to urea, but it may vary in legnth and severity depending upon the level of urea, energy concentration of the diet, age of cattle and stresses to which subjected prior to arrival and at the feedlot. The period of reduced performance appears to become of lesser importance with increasing age of the cattle