Summary
This three-cycle field trial examined spring turnout timing and post-grazing sward management in a pasture-based dairy calf-to-beef system using 188 steers (~250–285 kg initial weight). Early turnout improved mid-season daily gain but had no lasting effect on final carcass traits. Maintaining a 5.5 cm post-grazing sward height increased grazing-season growth and housing weight, though animals subsequently showed higher indoor finishing gains when grazed to the shorter 3.5 cm stubble, suggesting compensatory growth. The authors conclude that sward height management is the more important grazing variable for sustained performance in this system.
Regional applicability
These findings are directly applicable to United Kingdom dairy beef and calf-to-beef systems, which operate under similar temperate grassland conditions and seasonal grazing calendars. The study's focus on sward height management and turnout timing aligns with UK grazing management practice and Defra/industry recommendations for pasture-based beef production.
Key measures
Average daily gain at pasture and during indoor finishing; housing weight; carcass weight per day of age; daily gain during early-, mid-, and late-season grazing periods
Outcomes reported
The study measured average daily gain, housing weight, finishing performance, and carcass attributes in dairy and dairy × beef steers across three production cycles, comparing early versus late spring turnout and two post-grazing sward heights (3.5 cm vs. 5.5 cm).
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