PSXIII-19 - Snaplage Residue as a Strategy to Finish Beef Cattle Under Different Stocking Rates

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate different stocking rates of heifers on corn snaplage residue as an exclusive source of fiber on finishing phase performance. Immediately after the corn snaplage harvest, the area was divided into sixteen paddocks, and treatments were randomly assigned. The treatments were two stocking rates (SR): 1) low stocking rate (LSR; 3.5 AU/ha), and 2) high stocking rate (HSR; 7.0 AU/ha). The treatments were obtained by modifying the size of the paddocks. Crossbred beef heifers (n = 48, initial body weight = 275 ± 23 kg) were randomly allotted to 16 paddocks (3 heifers/paddock). Concentrate was fed ad libitum daily at 0600h. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Means were estimated using the LSMEANS statement and compared using the Tukey test. Initial residual mass was similar for all treatments (11,000 kg DM/ha). There was no stocking rate x time effect (P = 0.88) on total mass. There was less total mass for HSR (P < 0.01) than LSR and total mass decreased over time (P < 0.01). There was no difference between HSR and LSR for average residue intake (P = 0.34; 0.434 vs 0.478 kg/day, respectively), concentrate intake (P = 0.84; 7.72 vs 7.78 kg/day, respectively), and daily gain (ADG; P = 0.94; 0.952 vs 0.956 kg/day, respectively), The HSR treatment increased (P < 0.01) gain per area (618 vs 309 kg/ha) compared to LSR. In conclusion, the stocking rate did not affect finishing phase performance of beef heifers but increasing stocking rate did increase gain per area of land.