A programme for finishing beef cattle in feedlots

Finishing beef cattle in feedlots remains a cornerstone of modern beef production. It enables efficient conversion of feed to high-quality carcass weight, consistent throughput year-round, and controlled product uniformity1,2. However, achieving optimal results requires more than simply feeding high-grain rations for beef cattle. Successful programs for finishing beef cattle in feedlots balance nutrition, health, welfare, and management. This minimizes disease and metabolic problems during the finishing phase, maximizes feed conversion, and delivers desired carcass traits of beef cattle. A comprehensive programme for feedlot finishing should therefore include key nutrition phases, health and welfare measures, and operational guidelines.

Finishing ration design and nutritional management during the finishing period of beef cattle
Once cattle are adapted to the feedlot, the finishing ration becomes the driver of growth rate, carcass characteristics, and feed efficiency3. A finishing ration for beef cattle in feedlots has a number of characteristics. It is grain-based 4, often with cereal grains such as corn supplying the bulk of energy, plus by-products such as distillers’ grains, minimal roughage, and micro-ingredients, such as vitamins and trace minerals and other feed additives for beef cattle. Finishing rations for beef cattle commonly contain about 65% grain, 20% by-products, 10% roughage and 5% micronutrients and feed additives, all calculated on dry-matter basis. Proportions may however vary regionally and with feedstuff availability. Nutritionists and feedlot managers should regularly reformulate rations for feedlot cattle to account for variation in ingredients (moisture and nutrient content), price fluctuations, and to optimize feed cost per unit of weight gain.

Best-practice recommendations for finishing rations for feedlot cattle
Ensure finishing rations for feedlot cattle meet energy and protein requirements for target average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Include a minimal portion of roughage in the finishing ration for feedlots to support rumen function and avoid digestive disturbances. Aim at 5–10% NDF from roughage. Use by-product feeds for beef cattle, such as distillers’ grains, gluten feeds, etc. where available. By product in a ration for feedlot cattle can reduce feed costs and, in some systems, improve carcass value, while reducing reliance on high-cost cereal grains5. It is important to maintain a consistent feeding schedule (e.g., 2–3 feedings/day) and avoid sudden changes of the ration for beef cattle.

Health, welfare and management practices during the finishing phase of feedlot cattle
Nutrition alone does not guarantee success; health, welfare, hygiene, and robust management are equally critical for a successful finishing phase in the feedlot. A modern feedlot for beef cattle is a complex system, requiring well-organized operations for beef cattle procurement, arrival processing, pen design, pen maintenance, feed and commodity management, health monitoring and environmental management1. Poor management in the feedlot (overcrowding, inadequate bunk space, bad pen hygiene, abrupt changes of the feedlot ration) increases risk of disease (e.g., BRD, rumen acidosis) and reduces performance. Poor management of a feedlot operation can also result in animal welfare issues6. Best-practice guidelines for the feedlot industry therefore emphasize welfare standards for beef cattle, which include proper handling, pen maintenance (mud control, drainage), and stress minimization7. It is important to monitor health of beef cattle daily. Isolate and treat sick animals promptly and keep good records of treatments, growth, and feed intake. If using growth promoters, implants or feed additives for beef cattle, follow withdrawal times, monitor carcass quality, and ensure compliance with regulations. The feedlot finishing industry has increasingly integrated research on optimizing finishing cattle nutrition and growth-promoting technologies to balance performance, welfare, and environmental impact8.

As feedlot systems for beef cattle come under increasing scrutiny for environmental impact, a modern programme must consider resource use, emissions, and waste, in addition to productivity and profitability of a feedlot operation. The multistate U.S. research consortium NCCC308 for example, identifies among its goals both improving feed efficiency and carcass yield and reducing environmental footprint9. This includes methane production and nitrogen excretion, but also the use of energy and of scarce resources such as water. Trials have shown that programmed feeding rather than ad-libitum feeding of high-grain diets can significantly decrease nitrogen and enteric methane emissions of beef cattle. To make their operations more sustainable, feedlot operators should also optimize use of by-product feeds (e.g. distillers grains, milling byproducts) rather than primary crops, when possible. This can improve resource efficiency and reduce reliance on feed grains that compete with human food or biofuel markets10.

Lastly, the source and level of trace mineral can have an impact on performance of beef cattle in a feedlot11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21 (see Figures 1a and 1b) and on excretion of minerals into the environment. Trials have shown that Selko IntelliBond hydroxy trace minerals are a highly bioavailable source of essential trace minerals, matching the herd's nutritional needs and reducing the risk of environmental contamination22,23 (see Figure 2).

Recommendations to improve sustainability of a feedlot operation for beef cattle:

• Track feed conversion efficiency (kg feed/kg gain) and aim to reduce feed-to-gain ratio of beef cattle without compromising health or carcass quality.
• Use by-product and alternative feeds when available but ensure consistent nutrient supply and rumen health of beef cattle.
• Implement waste-management strategies (manure handling, nutrient recycling), pen hygiene, and environmental controls (dust, runoff, emissions) following recognized feedlot codes such as the MLA guidelines for beef cattle7.

No feedlot programme is without risk. There are common challenges of a finishing programme for beef cattle.

When feedlot cattle are transitioned to high-grain ration too fast, they are at risk to develop rumen acidosis and other digestive disorders. This risk can be mitigation by:

• Ensuring slow adaptation
• Including sufficient amounts of roughage in the feedlot ration
• Monitoring rumen health and by adding rumen modifiers, probiotics or a phytogenic products to the ration24. Fytera Advance is a natural feed additive for beef cattle. Trials25,26,27,28 have shown that Fytera Advance, a Selko PhytoComplex, can improve Average Daily Gain and Feed Conversion of feedlot cattle, both during the receiving25,26 and the finishing phase27,28.
  
  A pooled analysis of these studies29,30,31 showed that feeding Fytera Advance can improve beef cattle Feed to Gain ratio. Average Daily Gain and Feed Conversion of beef cattle included in the trials were improved by 1.33% and by 2.24% respectively.(see Table 1).

When effectively implemented, a well-managed feedlot finishing programme for beef cattle offers multiple benefits:

• Improved production efficiency: A properly designed finishing programme for feedlot cattle will result in consistent growth rates, good feed conversion and in predictable finishing times of beef cattle. Decades of applied research show that optimized nutrition and management improve yield, carcass quality, and resource use8.
• Carcass quality and uniformity: If formulated properly, finishing diets for beef cattle yield desirable marbling, fat cover and carcass weights, which is important for market standards of beef3.
• Year-round production capacity: If the finishing feedlot cattle is managed well, the feedlot can ensure regular supply of finished animals year-round, regardless of pasture seasonality. This will contribute to stable beef supply6.
• Potential environmental gains: when well managed, feedlots can optimize feed efficiency of beef cattle, reduce greenhouse-gas and nitrogen excretion per unit of beef produced. The use of by-product in beef cattle feeds will reduce competition with human food.