Finishing of steers following a summering period on mountain pastures: effect of the feeding intensity on fattening performance.

摘要

The effect of 3 different feeding intensity levels (1.5, 1.75 or 2.00 times maintenance requirements) on the fattening performance of Limousin x Fleckvieh steers on summer mountain pastures was determined. The basic ration consisted of a grass-maize silage mixture which was supplemented with the different concentrate levels. It was shown that concentrate supplementation did not significantly affect growth rate, which averaged 1.2 kg/day. Feed conversion efficiency decreased with increasing concentrate feeding intensity. The finishing period significantly improved carcass conformation and fatness core independent of feeding intensity. No carcass with excess fat was observed despite high slaughter weights. These results show the advantages of a short finishing period after a pasture period in steers.