SUPPLEMENTAL PROTEIN NEEDS OF FINISHING STEERS FED CORN SILAGE

Three experiments involving a total of 300 steers were conducted to determine the effects of duration of protein supplementation of finishing steers fed moderate to high levels of corn silage. Hereford and Hereford-cross steers were utilized in two experiments, and Holstein steers in the third study. Growth rate and feed intake suggested that protein supplementation could be withdrawn from a basal diet containing approximately 9.0% crude protein with Hereford or Hereford-cross steers initially in moderate condition after they reach approximately 400 kg liveweight. Holstein steers in thin condition at the start of the experiment appeared to require protein supplementation until a liveweight of 410–450 kg. Protein supplementation had little or no effect on carcass measurements in all three experiments.