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A note on the performance at pasture of British Friesian steers previously offered dried grass or concentrates

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

R. Marsh
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Institute of N. Ireland, Hillsborough, Co. Down
J. C. Murdoch
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Institute of N. Ireland, Hillsborough, Co. Down
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Summary

Three experiments are described in which castrated male (steer) calves previously reared to 6 to 7 months of age on dried grass ad libitum gained weight faster, following turnout to pasture, than calves previously reared on a cereal/protein concentrate ad libitum. Rate of gain at pasture was found to be more an effect of previous rate of gain than of diet per se. There were indications that calves whose growth rate had been previously restricted ate more herbage per unit live weight than calves whose growthrate had not been restricted.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1975

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References

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