Beef

Early Life Impacts on Beef × Dairy Performance 

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Abstract

The objective of this project was to investigate the impact of early life nutrition and management on growth and performance of BXD crosses raised and finished at Iowa State. One-hundred-twenty beef x dairy (BXD) calves were enrolled in two different starch levels of starter during the nursery stage. Each group was split in half at weaning and received either total mixed ration (TMR) or pellet at receiving for a total of four dietary treatments. Although pre-weaning differences were minor between starter formulations pre-weaning, the low-starch starter carried advantages over time for BXD steers, especially when combined with a TMR receiving diet post-weaning.

 All cattle were fed together following the receiving phase on a common diet in Feed Intake Monitoring System (FIMS) bunks. Both TMR groups had numerically greater average daily gain (ADG) in the finishing phase than their pellet counterparts, though neither were statistically significant. The low starch-TMR group had increased finisher DMI, heavier ending weight, and a tendency for a greater economic return. These calves were continuing to increase in body weight and likely could have been fed longer, while the other treatments were starting to slow in growth.

 There were no differences in carcass measurements, quality grade or yield grade based on starter or receiving diets, however the low starch-TMR calves had significantly fewer liver abscesses and rumen condemnations.

 The most obvious differences were related to the health status of the calves. Calves that received one or more treatments or had a condemned organ had a significant difference for a 0.16 lb/d decrease in finishing ADG, a 49-lb lighter end weight and a 29-lb lighter carcass weight.

 

 

Keywords: beefxdairy, performance, nursery impacts

How to Cite:

Schwab, D. L., Carpenter, A., Dahlke, G. R., Doran, B. E., Klipp, T. & Thomson, D. U., (2026) “Early Life Impacts on Beef × Dairy Performance ”, Iowa State University Animal Industry Report 23(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/air.22579