Beef Cattle Handbook

1 Beef Cattle Handbook BCH-5340 Product of Extension Beef Cattle Resource Committee Feeding and Managing Holstein Steers Rick Grant, Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Concord Terry Mader, Northeast Research and Extension Center, University of Nebraska-Concord Holstein Steers vs Conventional Breeds pared with larger-framed Holsteins. Additionally, mainte- Holstein steers usually are placed in the feedlot either as nance energy requirements are 12 percent higher for light-weight (250-350 pounds) calves or as feeders (600- Holsteins compared with beef breeds. 800 pounds). The growth of Holstein feeder steers is gen- Producing more lean by Holstein steers ought to be erally more consistent than for conventional beef breeds. economically advantageous considering current nega- Typical performance levels for Holstein feeder steers are: tive consumer attitudes toward high-fat foods.

2 Holstein 1. daily gain (live weight basis) about three pounds steers reach the beef industry standard of Choice quality per head grade at acceptable carcass weights and produce leaner 2. feed intake about 18-20 pounds daily, and carcasses with as much, or sometimes more, boneless 3. feed conversion about 6-7 up to 1,000 pounds retail yield at 1/8-1/4 inch fat trim compared with con- Above 1,000 pounds of live weight, feed conversion ventional beef breeds. However, the lower dressing per- for Holstein steers is much higher (less efficient). centage for Holstein steers is probably the single most Dressing percentage is generally 6-8 percent lower for important factor contributing to lower market value of Holsteins compared with beef breeds.

3 At a constant Holstein steers. Traditional biases in Cattle marketing weight, Holstein steer carcasses have less backfat, mar- also account for some of the discount for Holstein car- bling, and total fat, with more protein and bone com- casses. pared with beef breeds. Meat from Holstein steers The primary advantage Holstein steers have over compares favorably to that from other breeds. Recent traditional beef breeds is their uniform performance. The Cornell University research compared boneless ribeye Holstein breed has been selected primarily for high milk steaks from Holstein, and Simmental x Angus steers. production. This selection has resulted in a relatively The steaks could not be distinguished visually, and narrow genetic base compared to the beef industry.

4 The palatability was equal between the breeds. narrow genetic base results in Holstein steers having a more consistent and predictable feed intake and daily Profitability Potential of Holstein Steers gain throughout the feeding period that makes for easier Holstein steers may grow faster than beef breeds when nutritional management. Often, Holstein steers require gain is expressed on a liveweight basis. However, adjust- less medication during the receiving period because ing for differences in dressing percentage results in they are not going through the stress of being weaned. Holsteins gaining similarly, but less efficiently, than beef These advantages may be reduced during severe breeds. In general, Holsteins have a greater mature wet, cold, or muddy conditions.

5 Holsteins are less toler- weight and frame size than conventional beef breeds. ant of cold and muddy conditions compared with most Consequently, the composition of gain at similar weights beef breeds. Holsteins tend to have shorter hair, thinner will show more fat and less lean for beef breeds com- hides and less body condition than beef animals, thus BCH-5340 1. the effect of cold stress is greater for Holstein steers. increased attention to their nutritional and health needs, Extreme cold stress is not well tolerated. Windbreaks or especially early in the feeding period. The nutritional shelters should be provided in the winter. Under severe needs of the calf are at their highest level and the calf's cold stress conditions, bedding may reduce the effect of immune system is still susceptible to invasion from cold on health and performance.

6 If bedding is used, it viruses and bacteria. Death loss is higher (three to five should contain a high dry matter content, such as straw, percent of total head) with light-weight Holstein calves sawdust or shredded newspapers. Bedding use may be compared with older, Holstein feeder steers. The higher more practical for smaller feedlots. Keep in mind, how- death loss may be due to several conditions: increased ever, that environmental stress will be an important con- susceptibility to respiratory diseases, increased diges- sideration for any Nebraska producer wishing to raise tive deaths due to long-term feeding of high concentrate Holstein steers. diets, or simply due to the length of time (400 days) the calves are fed in the feedlot. Feeding light-weight Feeding Programs for Holstein Steers Holstein calves has generally been economically feasi- Be certain to purchase only healthy calves.

7 Top quality ble in feedlots in the southern High Plains, southwest Holstein bull calves will weigh about 90-115 pounds, with and California due to the warmer, drier feeding cli- no evidence of disease such as scouring. Look closely at mate. the feet and legs of any purchased calves and check for good mobility and absence of lameness. Whenever pos- Two Phase Feeding Systems sible, purchase calves only from suppliers that will have Two phase feeding systems have been common in the fed colostrum to the bull calf within the first 6-10 hours Midwest. Usually, steer calves are fed one percent of of life. bodyweight in grain and full-fed hay, corn silage, or pas- After a Holstein steer calf reaches approximately 150 ture up to approximately 700 pounds.

8 From 700 pounds pounds, most feeding programs for finishing steers will to slaughter weight (1,000-1,300 pounds), steers are fed be one of three types: free choice shelled corn and a protein supplement to bal- 1. continuous high or all-grain feeding ance the ration. They may also be offered two to five 2. two phase (pasture or forage phase followed by fin- pounds of hay or silage per head daily. Research com- ishing phase) paring a two phase feeding system with a high grain fin- 3. continuous high levels of corn silage ishing system for Holsteins is limited. Nebraska beef Example rations and expected performance for each research shows calves fed in a high grain finishing sys- system are summarized in Tables I and II. Generally, han- tem are more efficient, have a lower cost per gain, and dling and feedbunk habits of Holstein steers are similar will reach finishing weights in a fewer number of days to conventional beef breeds.

9 However, Holstein steers than calves grown on silage, followed by a short grain tend to be more docile than beef Cattle . Mixing beef and finishing period. However, Cornell University research Holstein steers may create social problems. To reduce showed that Holstein steers fed using a two phase sys- social stress, dominant animals may need to be tem (alfalfa silage at 40 percent of dry matter intake up removed. In addition, bunk and waterer space require- to 850 pounds followed by a 90 percent concentrate diet ments may be more critical for animals such as to slaughter) reached finishing weights in the same num- Holsteins which have been raised under conditions that ber of days as steers fed a 90 percent concentrate diet are much different than most beef breeds.

10 Continuously with no effect on carcass grade. Until more data are collected with Holsteins, producers should base Continuous High or All Grain Feeding feeding decisions on the relative energy price of corn Advantages of this feeding system include: versus roughage and their ability to safely feed high 1. smaller amounts of feed and manure to handle grain finishing diets. 2. usually less labor and equipment needed 3. less time required to reach slaughter weight and Continuous High Corn Silage Feeding proper carcass condition This program is similar to the first phase of a two phase If a producer also raises large amounts of grain, it system in which free choice corn silage is fed, with may be profitable to market the grain through the Cattle .