2 Forage Use in Growing

Forage is included in beef cattle growing or finishing diets for several reasons. Nutritionally, forage provides protein, vitamins and minerals. When included as a minor component of high grain finishing diets, forage may increase feed intake and reduce nutritional disorders due to increased salivation, rumination and passage rate. Manipulating dietary moisture content through inclusion of dry or wet forages can improve palatability. In comparison to limit feeding high concentrate diets, deliberate reduction in dietary energy content through inclusion of forage is usually preferred in growing systems. From a management standpoint, feeding to beef cattle facilitates use of stored forage. Production of forage for feed may be most efficacious use of marginal land, or better land in marginal climates. Production and use of forage, whether grazed or harvested, should disperse the labor load and spread risk on individual farms.