Three experiments were conducted with yearling steers to investigate the effects of starter rations and feeding techniques in promoting the rapid, safe implementation of full feeding programs (finishing rations ad libitum). Starters were formulated to include beet pulp, dried brewer’s grain and ground hay to control the digestible energy content of the total ration.A gradual decrease in the ratio of starters to finishing rations (fed in combination ad libitum) during a 10-day period enabled cattle to be brought to full feed without the occurrence of digestive disorders. This method was as effective as the more customary practice of gradually increasing the intake of concentrate by hand feeding. It is proposed that the use of starters will materially reduce both the labor and feeding space required to bring feedlot cattle to a full feeding regime.
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R. Hironaka (1969) studied this question.