KAFKAS UNIVERSITESI VETERINER FAKULTESI DERGISI, vol.21, no.2, pp.253-258, 2015 (SCI-Expanded)
The research objective, during a 3-yr study, was to compare starch-and fiber-based 38 d weaning transition diets (WTD) to identify the effect on calf performance, feed intake and feed efficiency (FE). Subsequently, the effect of WTD on feedlot finishing performance and cow and calf net return was determined. Crossbred steer and female calves (Angus x Hereford x Gelbvieh; n=405; Age=7.5 month; BW=278+/-4.3 kg) were randomly assigned to six treatments (4 pen replicates/treatment) based on age and weaning weight. Starch-based WTD were formulated with soybean meal (SBM) and field pea (FP), and fiber-based diets were formulated with increasing levels of FP (0-30%). Pelleted WTD treatments were: 1-(CSBM) starch-base+SBM, 2-(CPEA) starch-base+FP, 3-(0PEA) fiber-base+0% FP, 4-(10PEA) fiber-base+10% FP, 5-(20PEA) fiber-base+20% FP, and 6-(30PEA) fiber-base+30% FP. The CSBM, 0PEA, 10PEA, and 20PEA treatments had greater gain and average daily gain (ADG) compared to the CPEA and 30PEA (P<0.01), and the CPEA treatment had the lowest gain and ADG (P<0.001). Dry matter intake (DMI) was greatest for the fiber-based 0PEA and 20PEA WTD treatments and lowest for the starch-based CSBM and CPEA (P<0.001), and WTD did not affect FE (P=0.39). In addition, feedlot finishing performance and carcass measurements were not affected by WTD (P>0.10). Therefore, we conclude that FP can replace up to 20% of fiber-based ingredients in WTD without affecting DMI and ADG. However, the highest cow-calf net return was from the CSBM, 20PEA and 30PEA WTD treatments (P<0.001).