Influence of Feed Intake Fluctuation, Feeding Frequency, Time of Feeding, and Rate of Gain on Performance by Limit-Fed Steers

Four experiments were conducted to determine the effects of feed intake fluctuation, feeding frequency, time of feeding, and rate of gain on performance by limit-fed steers. Mean initial BW for steers in Experiments 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 378 ± 43, 225 ± 19, 227 ± 20, and 249 ± 17 kg, respectively. All experiments were complete random designs, and pen was the experimental unit. In Experiment 1, 10% daily variation in feed intake resulted in decreased (P<0.10) ADG and ratio of gain to feed (G/F) compared with steers fed either a constant amount or a 10% weekly variation in feed intake. In Experiment 2, steers fed once daily at 0800 h; once daily at 1700 h; twice daily at 0800 and 1700 h; or thrice daily at 0800, 1230, and 1700 h did not affect (P>0.10) ADG or G/F. Average daily gain and G/F by steers programed to gain 1.25 kg/d were not affected (P>0.10) by 10% fluctuation in feed intake or twice daily feeding in Experiment 3. Treatments used in Experiment 4 consisted of 1) steers fed to gain 0.9 kg/d, 2) steers fed to gain 0.9 kg/d with 10% daily feed intake fluctuation, 3) steers fed to gain 1.25 kg/d, and 4) steers fed to gain 1.25 kg/d with 10% daily feed intake fluctuation. Fluctuation in feed intake did not affect (P>0.10) ADG at either rate of gain. Results suggest that feed intake fluctuation in limit-fed cattle might decrease performance early in the feeding period; however, cattle seem to adapt to fluctuating feed intake as the feeding period progresses. Time and frequency of feeding did not affect performance by limit-fed steers.