Abstract
The objective was to determine effects of interlocking rubber floor matting in slatted indoor cattle feeding facilities on cattle performance and carcass characteristics. In experiment 1, Fall-born Angus x Simmental steers (N = 206; BW = 228 ± 34 kg) were blocked by weight and assigned to 32 pens. Pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: new Max Grip Animat matting (MG), new Animat Pebble matting (PEB), old Animat Pebble matting (OLD), and no matting/concrete slating (CONC). Steers were fed a common diet for 209 d with an average stocking density of 3.70 m2 per steer. Final BW was affected (P = 0.02) by treatment with PEB steers being the heaviest, MG and CONC were intermediate, and OLD was the lightest. Treatment affected (P < 0.01) ADG with PEB steers being greatest, MG and CONC were intermediate, and OLD was the least. Flooring treatment did not affect overall dry matter intake (P = 0.16) or G:F (P = 0.94). Flooring treatment did not affect (P ≥ 0.19) any carcass traits. In experiment 2, Fall-born Angus x Simmental steers (N = 189; BW = 352 ± 43 kg) were blocked by weight and assigned to 21 pens. Pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: new Animat Pebble matting (PEB2), old Animat Pebble matting (OLD2), or no matting/concrete slating (CON2). Steers were fed a common diet for 112 d with an average stocking density of 2.64 m2 per steer. After 112 days on feed, flooring treatment did not affect (P ≥ 0.30) BW or ADG. There were no treatment differences (P = 0.13) observed for overall DMI at d 112. Overall, results suggest new rubber matting in slatted indoor cattle feeding facilities improved ADG during a 209 d trial.
Effects of late-summer protein supplementation on stocker cattle performance, feedlot gain, and carcass traits
