Feed lot cattle are confined livestock that receive a high-protein diet to fatten them up for slaughter. They form an integral part of Iowa’s livestock production.
Feedlots are highly-contained systems with extensive infrastructure, feeding, medical and labor costs. Profitability is determined by buying and selling prices.
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Feed
Feed lot cattle are raised on a grain-based diet until they reach their target weight, which may be around 1,200 pounds. This allows ranchers to produce more with less land and finish their cattle faster.
A feedlot consists of a series of cattle pens that hold anywhere from 50-200 animals each. Each pen has its own water trough and feed bunks (Fig. 1.31) which prevent the feed from getting scattered and reduce manure contamination.
Pens are usually outdoors, though indoor facilities can also be utilized in wetter climates. Outdoor facilities typically feature dirt mounds or slopped areas to keep feed and bedding dry.
Transitioning cattle from pasture to a feedlot environment can be stressful for them, leading to disease and welfare problems. Common issues in feedlots include bovine respiratory disease, heat stress and lameness.
Acidosis is another potential welfare issue that may occur when cattle transition to a grain-based ration, as the acidic balance in their rumen becomes disrupted. This risk increases when the feed contains a high proportion of grains. Adding roughage into the diet may help mitigate this, however.
Bedding
For years, livestock production has used bedding as a standard practice. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly how much this practice improves performance.
Environmental management in feedlots is increasingly being recognized. A recent study at Tullimba Research Feedlot in Iowa demonstrated that providing cattle with woodchip bedding during wet and muddy conditions resulted in both production and animal welfare benefits.
To maximize these advantages, it is essential to use cost-effective bedding materials that drain well and keep cows dry. Furthermore, the bedding must be safe for the animals while having minimal environmental impact.
Studies have been conducted to examine the effects of bedding on growth performance, estimated maintenance energy requirement, carcass characteristics and sera responses in beef steers of various ages and stages in feedlot production. Results demonstrate that applying bedding to confined beef steers improves their growth performance and lowers estimated maintenance energy requirements compared to non-bedded pens.
Water
Water is essential for beef cattle’s performance and without it they could suffer in terms of health, productivity and profitability. Cattle water intake requirements depend on ambient temperature, stage of production, body weight and other factors.
For example, a 400-pound growing calf requires 5.8 gallons of water daily at 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 9.5 gallons at 90 degrees. Conversely, for a 600-pound calves daily water needs are 7.8 gallons at 70 degrees and 12.7 gallons at 90 degrees.
In addition to water, livestock also require nutrients in their diets. Nutrients help lubricate joints, cushion the nervous system, transport sound waves and ultimately promote a healthy animal that has been well-fed.
Common nutritional concerns include faecal contamination, nitrates, hardness and salt in water. These pollutants affect taste and odor of the water which could influence cattle acceptance of it; additionally they inhibit mineral absorption leading to nutritional deficiencies.
Manure
Manure is a type of soil amendment material containing nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It improves the texture of the soil as well as increasing its water-holding capacity.
Animal manures are an organic way to improve soil fertility and quality. However, they must be managed carefully in order to prevent overapplication and environmental pollution.
Manures contain a wide range of nutrients, so it’s essential to know their composition before applying them. This helps ensure crop nutritional needs are met while also reducing potential nutrient loading and environmental pollution risks.
Manure applications can be managed to minimize nutrient loading. Methods for doing so include sampling and testing soil for nutrients, creating a nutrient management plan based on those results, and evaluating how manure application affects crop growth and plant health.
