Abstract:
Yearling Hereford steers in store condition (average weight 585 lb) were fed whole wheat grain, or equal parts whole wheat grain and cereal hay, each diet supplying an estimated 2 lb of starch equivalent per head per day. After the different rations had been fed for 20 weeks, followed by hay-grain rations for 1 week to equalize gastro-intestinal fill, the cattle fed an all-grain ration had lost an average of 1.03 lb per day and those fed a hay-grain ration had lost 0.84 lb per day. The final difference in weight was not significant. All cattle remained in good health. Serum vitamin A levels declined during the experiment to subnormal levels, particularly in the all-grain group, but clinical signs of vitamin A deficiency ware not evident. Coprophagia, hair chewing, and biting of woodwork were observed, particularly in the all-grain group. It is concluded that all-grain rations may be satisfactorily used for drought feeding of cattle.