When it comes to the best grain to finish a steer, it’s crucial to consider what nutrients they require. As well as a good protein source, they need to be able to take in the essential vitamins. There are several grains that can be used to feed cattle, including corn, barley, and oats.
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Barley
Barley is a multipurpose grain that can be a key ingredient in a diet for cattle. It has relatively high starch content, and its nutritional value is higher than that of wheat. Compared to corn, barley’s nutritive value is less dependent on moisture content.
Several studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of barley on feedlot performance. Researchers used a combination of carcass characteristics and feeding behavior to analyze the effects of barley and corn finishing rations.
Specifically, the study evaluated the effects of barley and corn on feeding behavior, weight gain, carcass weight, hot carcass weight, percentage of heart, kidney, pelvis and ribeye fat, ADG, and daily feeding rate. Performance was compared to steers fed a mixture of the two grains.
Barley’s comparative nutritive value makes it a useful forage for several classes of beef cattle. In fact, it has been used to replace at least two thirds of corn in diets for finishing steers.
Corn
When finishing a steer, there are many things to consider. One of the more important is what grain to feed. The most popular grain is corn, but there are other alternatives.
Barley is a good candidate for a finishing grain. It has a more diverse range of nutritive value than corn. Aside from its higher starch content, it contains higher levels of fiber. And while it has not been shown to replace corn as a finishing grain, it can be used to substitute up to two-thirds of a corn-based ration.
Oats are another option. They have a lower energy content but they are also less likely to induce acidosis. This means they may be better suited to a beef cattle diet. However, they can be prohibitive.
While the best grain to feed a steer is a personal choice, the benefits of a barley diet should be taken into consideration. Using the proper processing techniques can increase efficiencies by up to 5%, making it an economical and useful alternative.
Oats
Oats are a grain that has a high protein content. They can be used as an energy supplement or as a replacement for barley and wheat feed. In addition to their protein content, they can provide valuable micronutrients such as sterols and antioxidants.
The Australian Bureau of Agriculture has released preliminary harvest yield forecasts for the 2018/2019 growing season. While oats are still a smaller crop in global terms, the trend is increasing. Many farmers are using oats as a forage crop.
Oats have higher levels of fiber than other small grains, which is an advantage for cattle. However, they also have lower energy values. As a result, they are less suitable for finishing rations.
Oats are a good choice for grazing cattle during the winter. They will have a slow regrowth rate and require light continuous grazing to maintain body condition.
In North America, the US FAO estimates that 110 million bushels of oats are consumed each year. China is the leading oats importer and producer, and the Asia Pacific region has strong growth.
Vitamins in beef cattle
There are several key vitamins in beef cattle nutrition, including vitamin A, D, and E. These nutrients are needed for proper growth, reproduction, and bone development.
Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for normal vision and kidney function. It is stored in the liver and fat. Cattle consume a variety of vitamin precursors in plant materials and rumen microbes. However, in cattle that are stressed or consuming high levels of silage or other oxidizing materials, the ability to utilize vitamin A is reduced.
Although the toxicity of vitamin A is rare in the practical production scenario, there are some symptoms that may signal a deficiency. Signs include poor appetite, brittle bones, calcification of soft tissues, labored breathing, and stiff gait. In addition, night blindness is a symptom of vitamin A deficiency.
The onset of vitamin A deficiency is usually evident in young animals. However, it can take up to 100 days for deficiency symptoms to show up. Some signs of deficiency in a mature animal include swelling in the brisket, excessive watering of the eyes, and lameness in the knees.
