Title: Simplified systems for feeding grain to cattle in feed lots and under grazing conditions.
Abstract: Cattle feed lots are based on an expensive infrastructure and rely on high levels of grain and sophisticated feeding systems to achieve rapid growth rates. The use of virginiamycin removes the risk of acidosis associated with grain feeding and may provide a basis for developing simplified grain feeding systems which provide more flexibility for cattle producers. The use of virginiamycin removes the need for a gradual introduction to grain-based diets and makes it safe to feed grain and hay separately. It is also makes it possible to feed restricted amounts of grain at weekly intervals and this has application in feeding grain to grazing cattle. Supplementing the diet of grazing cattle with grain allows utilisation of paddock feed which is cheaper, and often of a better quality, than hay and straw used in feedlot diets. Virginiamycin applied at 20g/t grain has been shown to provide good protection against acidosis, even when wheat is fed. The virginiamycin may be mixed with milled grain in the powdered form (Stafac, SmithKline Beecham Animal Health) and there is also potential to develop a liquid formulation to be sprayed onto the grain prior to feeding. Virginiamycin is not yet registered in Australia for use in cattle.
Publication Year: 1993
Publication Date: 1993-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 1
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot