Evaluation of once a day feeding regime

Summary

The Australian agricultural industry has experienced immense financial pressure and trading conditions in recent times due to drought conditions and up to 30% fluctuations in exchange rates, which have seriously eroded agricultural exports. The feedlot sector has experienced considerable increases in the cost of grain and feeder steers, as well as an increased worldwide fuel price that has significantly increased the costs of production. It is during these times of industry hardship that the optimal and most efficient feedlot practices must be identified and utilised in order to maintain viability. This two part study has investigated how implementing a once-a-day feed delivery regime can both increase fuel and labour use efficiency, and influence animal performance. This was achieved through a large scale machinery trial run concurrently with a feedlot steer trial. The results of this study revealed, on average a 20.4% increase in fuel and labour use efficiency could be achieved through implementing a once-a-day feeding regime. The feedlot steer trial evaluated the associated influence on animal performance by changing from a twice-a-day to a once-a-day feeding regime. Feed intake, average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio were not significantly different (P>0.05) between the feeding frequencies, nor were the economically important carcass composition characteristics (P>0.05). The results of this study suggest that it is feasible for feedlots currently operating under a twice-a-day feeding regime to change to a once-a-day regime without altering animal performance. Additionally, benefits could also be achieved through the potential to increase the efficiency of the feed delivery process and decrease the associated costs of production.