2018 Calf-fed Holstein Demonstration Results

Project summary

The PA Beef Producers Working Group, a collaboration of the PA Beef Council, Penn State Extension, Center for Beef Excellence, and the Pennsylvania Cattlemen's Association, with support from the PA Department of Agriculture, has completed another demonstration, led by Penn State Extension, of calf-fed Holsteins reared for beef. Just as it was done in previous years, the PA Beef Producers Working Group partnered with PA Department of Agriculture and JBS to provide the Holstein calf-fed demonstration and offered tours of the demo in conjunction with Ag Progress Days.

Sourcing

All Holsteins (70 head) were sourced from a single location, Cold Springs Farms, LLC, and placed on feed at the PDA Livestock Evaluation Center (LEC) on April 24, 2018. Calves weighed 606 ± 82 lbs. upon arrival and were 10 ± 1 months old. Prior to feedlot entry, steers were already started on grain and consuming approximately 10 lbs. of grain per head per day. On April 16, the steers were stratified by body weight and randomly assigned to 2 groups of 35 hd each. Group one was assigned to the implant treatment. Group two received no additional treatment and simply returned to the pen to eat and grow. Group one was implanted on d 1 with Component E-S (200 mg progesterone and 20 mg estradiol; Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN) and again on d 84 with Component TE-S (24 mg estradiol, 120 mg TBA, and 29 mg of tylosin tartrate; Elanco Animal Health). Steers were transitioned on to a 62 Mcal ration (containing corn silage, corn, dried distillers grains, and minerals) over the course of 9 days. Cattle consuming the 62 Mcal ration ended up consuming 23 and 20 lbs of feed (DM basis) per day, for implanted and non-implanted steers, respectively —approximately 15.3 and 13.8 lbs of corn per hd and 3.5 and 3.0 lbs of distillers grains per hd each day for implanted and non-implanted, respectively. Calves were weighed at arrival and data on growth performance were collected over the course of the demonstration.

Growth Performance

Implanted steers gained 0.63 lbs more per day for the entire duration of the demonstration than the non-implanted steers (3.81 lbs vs 3.18 lbs, respectively; Table 1). This increased average daily gain increased final body weight by more than 120 lb. in implanted steers compared to nonimplanted steers at the end of the feedlot period. Feed conversion is an important economic indicator in the feedlot. Even though implanted Holstein steers consumed more feed than non-implanted steers (over 3 lbs more feed dry matter per day, feed conversion was 6.12 for implanted steers needed, while non-implanted steers converted at 6.31. These dry matter feed conversions are equivalent to approximately 7.8 lbs vs. 8.1 lbs. of feed delivered for every pound of gain (for implanted and non-implanted steers, respectively). These results mean that steers that were implanted needed 0.3 lbs less feed for every pound of gain that they put on. Why did the steers at the LEC perform so well? And, was this excellent performance adequate enough to turn a profit?

Discussion of Success

In previous years, calves were single sourced and dealt with very few health challenges as a result. For the 2018 demonstration, calves were not singled sourced. Rather, this years demonstration used a put-together group of Holstein calves. The put together group did suffer some health challenges prior to their arrival at the Livestock Evaluation Center. In addition, additional vet costs were incurred while at the center as it took about 3 weeks to get the group healthy and ready to begin the trial. Ultimately, 5 calves were deemed unfit to put on trial and were sold before the trial began. Once calves were on test, as always, excellent management played a role in the performance of these calves. The staff at the LEC ensured that these calves always had fresh feed in front of them. In addition to feed management, there is a clear advantage on performance for implanted calves. Implants helped sustain greater average daily gains in these Holsteins throughout the 184 days. There is some concern in the industry over the use of implants and their effects on meat quality. However, out of the 35 implanted Holsteins, 28 steers (80%) qualified USDA Choice or greater, not so different than the 29 non-implanted steers that also qualified USDA Choice or greater. The average hot carcass weights (HCW) for implanted steers were 59 lbs. heavier than those HCW of non-implanted steers.

Economics

The economics on these cattle are variable depending on the scenario you choose to look at. In the LEC production system, feed cost $140/ton delivered. Additional costs considered included implants, bedding, yardage, medical, and chute time (labor). Cattle were bought and sold at market price. Thus, in April, steers were bought at 607 ± 80 lbs for $1.14/lb and they were sold in October at $1.02/lb. Ultimately, both groups lost money due to higher feed prices this year and lower fat cattle prices at sale. However, steers that were implanted lost only $25 per head whereas those steers that were not implanted lost just over $100 per head. Steers that were implanted had a cost of gain equal to $0.82/lb whereas steers that were not implanted had a cost of gain equal to $0.98/lb.  

Again this year, calf-fed Holstein steers fed in the PDA LEC system performed phenomenally well, with and without the implant. However, the volatility of the calf-fed Holstein market cannot be ignored. Implants help the system to be sure, but producers must pencil all costs in their own system to ensure profitability. In the end, the health bill for this years put together group of calves ultimately ended up eliminating the profit margin on the calves, despite the excellent performance once those calves were straightened out.