Performance and Behavior of Weaned Beef Cattle that Were Fed Tall Fescue Dry Hay or Haylage

摘要

The objective of this experiment was to determine if there were differences in performance and behavior of feeder calves fed Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea) dry hay (hay) or haylage. Sixty weaned calves were placed into four pens (n = 15/pen, 2 pens/treatment). Haylage was wrapped at higher moisture content (50%) and stored outside. Dry hay (13% moisture) was stored under cover. Calves were fed either hay or haylage and no supplementation was provided. CP, ADF, and NDF percentages (dry mater basis) were 12.9 vs. 12.1, 41.1 vs. 36.0, and 69.4 vs. 59.6 for the hay and haylage, respectively. ADG was monitored for a 45-d feeding period. Behavioral observations were made every 5 min over 4 consecutive hours on three separate days at the beginning, midpoint, and end of the project. Performance measures were analyzed as a completely randomized design. Behavioral results were analyzed using a mixed model with repeated measures. The overall ADG for calves fed dry hay was 0.23 kg/d and fed haylage -0.11 kg/d (P = 0.03). There were no (P > 0.05) differences observed in the cattle behavioral repertoire for treatment or for the day by treatment interactions. Reductions in calf performance were detected when fed fescue haylage compared to dry fescue hay.