Management Strategies and Technologies That Can Improve the Beef Industry from the Cow-Calf, Stocker, and Feedlot Sectors

Production and profitability of cow-calf pairs in a partially-confined, fall-calving, intensive cow-calf system (ALT) were compared to a traditional, spring-calving, extensive cow-calf system (TRAD). Body condition was lower at breeding and weaning for the ALT system compared to the TRAD system. Conception, calving, and weaning rates, were not different among treatments. Weaning BW was lower for the ALT system than TRAD system. Annual costs and net revenue were lower for the ALT system. In the grower phase, ADG and GF were greater for the ALT. In the finisher phase, ADG was lower for ALT than TRAD calves. Finishing DMI and HCW were not different among treatments but ALT calves were fed 27 days more. Profitability was greater for the TRAD system. The use of an intensive cow-calf system had no impact on reproduction and weaning rates demonstrating potential value of an alternative cow-calf system. A 2-yr study was conducted to evaluate the effect of monensin on sparing protein from ruminal degradation in yearling steers grazing smooth bromegrass pastures. Factorial treatments were: 1) 0 or 200 mg monensin/steer, daily; 2) no protein supplement, soybean meal as a source of RDP, or soypass as a source of RUP. Monensin supplementation did not improve ADG. Protein supplementation improved ADG with RUP supplemented steers gaining more than RDP supplemented steers. The effects of protein sparing from monensin were not observed in this study. Two studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of long-lasting, partially-coated implants in finishing heifers. In study 1, treatments were 1) one non-coated implant, 2) two non-coated implants, or 3) one partially-coated implant. Heifers given two implants had greater final BW, GF, and HCW than heifers given one non-coated or one partially-coated implant. In study 2, treatments were: 1) two non-coated implants, or 2) one partially-coated implant. There were no differences in HCW among treatments. Both studies demonstrated that long-lasting implants can be utilized as effective implant programs in finishing heifers