Evaluation of Different Feeding Systems in Beef Cattle Production

Different feeding systems for beef cattle production were studied at the Corozal and Isabela Substations of the Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Puerto Rico. The data for each location were analyzed separately. Observations at Isabela indicate that Pangola-grass soilage is not suitable for rearing beef cattle. Ad libitum feeding of a bulky ration showed no comparative advantage over grazing alone in weight gains of the heifers. Similarly, a finishing period on ad libitum bulky feed was no better than grazing alone. The dressing percentage for the ad libitum bulky-fed group was 64.26 percent compared to 62.30 percent for the group on grazing alone and to 62.23 percent for the group on grazing plus a finishing period on ad libitum bulky feed. There was no significant difference between these two latter groups. The soilage group was not slaughtered. Data from the Corozal Substation indicate that corn supplementation was superior to the other treatments in regard to weight gains of the heifers. However, when economical aspects are considered, corn supplementation may prove unjustifiable. The molasses supplementation was no better than grazing alone. The dressing percentage of the corn supplemented heifers was significantly different from grazing alone (60.70 vs. 59.03 percent) and from grazing plus concentrate supplementation when pastures were poor (60.70 vs. 59.10 percent). Dressing data for the molasses-fed group (60.40 percent) were not statistically analyzed because individual liveweights of heifers were not obtained for reference against the corresponding "hot carcass" weights.