The Evaluation of Distillers Co-products in Dairy Beef Production

Feeding dairy beef, predominantly Holstein steers, has evolved into a highly specialized segment of the US beef industry. Producing acceptable-quality carcasses from dairy steers requires feeding high-energy diets and marketing them at a young age, 12 to 14 months, and weighing 1150 to 1300 lbs. Several aspects of the dairy beef program are unique compared with beef cattle. The calves are not reared with their dams, but fed liquid milk replacer from birth to weaning (typically 4 to 5 weeks). Within a few days after birth the calves are provided dry starter feed, usually a high quality grain mixture, to stimulate rumen development so the calves can be weaned early to dry feed. Following weaning the calves are fed high-energy grower diets until weighing 300 to 400 lbs. Because Holsteins require 10 to 12% more energy than beef breeds for maintenance, high-energy diets must continue to be fed during the growing/finishing phase if they are to produce adequately-marbled carcasses at 12 to 14 months of age. A popular growing/finishing program in smaller-scale operations is to feed in self-feeders whole corn along with supplemental nutrients and fiber combined in a pellet. The alternative is to daily feed high-grain diets with roughage during the growing/finishing phase similar to beef cattle.