Energy Requirements of Grazing Steers

Abstract

An experiment was designed to study the requirements of steers grazing irrigated pasture. Various degrees of grazing intensity produced variations in energy gain and digestible energy intake. Included was a non-grazing control fed the same forage as soilage in a small drylot. A behavior study revealed that from 2.2 to 4.2 more hours were spent by steers grazing forage than eating soilage. No difference, however, was found in the maintenance requirement for digestible energy between steers fed soilage in a small drylot and those grazing the pasture. Furthermore, comparisons between regression equations on digestible energy requirements of these pasture steers and steers fed in drylot showed no significant difference. It is suggested by these data that the extra activity involved in grazing on irrigated pasture does not result in a measurable increase in digestible energy requirements. Copyright © . .