Expensive and limited forage supplies may tempt cattle producers to adopt limit-feeding programs, but these highly successful American feeding systems may not work as well in Canada.
“In short, it is too cold up here,” said John McKinnon, a University of Saskatchewan professor who conducted a two-year study of limit feeding.
“The animals need the extra calories and it doesn’t pay to limit feed …. The cattle take longer to bring to market weight and you need to take that extra time and feeding effort into account as well.”
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During the winter, western Canadian cattle are traditionally fed a roughage-rich diet that is supplemented with grain.
In limit feeding, however, the amount of high-nutrient feed is reduced to a point below what would normally relieve cattle’s hunger. The animals receive enough calories to remain healthy, but take longer to reach shipping weight.
In most cases, a limited amount of roughage will be fed, but only enough to keep the animal’s digestive system healthy and grow the animal at a predictable rate of gain.
High-nutrient feed is fed in amounts that will not result in acidosis, liver failure or laminitis and still provide a predictable market weight.
Under the right conditions, it can save money on feed costs, improve finishing feed efficiency and provide fairly accurate daily rates of gain.
Predictable rates of gain have recently become more important to producers. Order buyers have been stickier about contracts this year and producers say they have been commonly told that if the “weight is contracted for 850 pounds and you deliver at 900 then you only get paid for the 850.”
According to published reports from the University of Oklahoma, studies have shown that the method also produces a leaner carcass without sacrificing marbling.
