Influence of feed restriction and feeding time to growing calves on growth performance and feeding behavior

Abstract Text: We hypothesized that limit-feeding and changing feeding patterns to consume feed in the nighttime would increase G:F and alter feeding behavior in growing steers and heifers in the winter. The objectives of this research were to determine the effect of limit feeding and feeding time (daytime, nighttime, or ½ daytime + ½ nighttime) on growth performance and feeding behavior of growing calves fed a corn-silage and hay-based growing diet. Sixty-six steers (322 kg of BW) and thirty heifers (245 kg of BW) of Angus, Simmental, and Shorthorn breeding were assigned randomly to one of four dietary treatments: 1) ad libitum feed consumption, 2) limit-fed to 80% of the ad libitum group  on a BW basis (limit-fed) in the daytime, 3) limit-fed in the nighttime, and 4) limit-fed ½ in the daytime and ½ in the nighttime (daytime/nighttime). Animals were fed a corn-silage and hay-based diet from November through February (84 days). Cattle were fed using the Insentec System which allows for restricting the amount of feed consumption and the time with which feed is consumed. Body weights were taken on two consecutive d at the beginning and end of the experiment and every 28 d throughout the experiment. Daytime and nighttime groups consumed the meal during the allowed period (P < 0.001), and the daytime/nighttime group consumed the meal during both periods (P > 0.55) validating our model for feeding time. Final BW was greater (P = 0.009) in the ad libitum group when compared to the three limit-fed groups. Moreover, ADG, DMI, DMI relative to BW, time at feeder, meal size, and meal duration were also greater (P < 0.001) in the ad libitum group when compared to the other three treatment groups. There was a tendency (P = 0.09) for higher ADG in animals fed at nighttime when compared to the daytime group. The nighttime group spent more time at the feeder (P = 0.04) than the daytime group. The ad libitum group had greater DMI in the daytime when compared to other groups (P < 0.001). Our results suggest that limit-feeding decreased ADG and allowing access to feed at different times of the d did not influence growth performance and altered some feeding behavior traits in growing calves fed a corn-silage and hay-based diet.

Keywords: backgrounding cattle, limit-feeding, time of feed consumption