What does this research mean for the field?

Limit feeding yearling beef steers for a portion of the finishing period before resuming ad libitum feed intake reduces cumulative dry matter intake and improves feed efficiency without affecting average daily gain or final body weight, though it decreases subcutaneous and marbling fat. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the impact of limit feeding yearling beef steers for 56 or 86 days before returning to ad libitum intake during a 141-day finishing period on growth performance and carcass traits.

September 14, 2026Translational Animal ScienceOpen Access

Influence of Limit-Feeding Duration on Growth Performance and Carcass Traits of Finishing Steers

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Authors

JDJustin J Delver FPFederico Podversich AMAna C B Menezes

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Overview

Randomized trial demonstrates temporary limit-feeding improves feed efficiency in finishing steers, indicating reduced intake without sacrificing weight gain but lowering fat deposition.

Key Points

To evaluate the impact of limit feeding yearling beef steers for 56 or 86 days before returning to ad libitum intake during a 141-day finishing period on growth performance and carcass traits.
Randomized complete block design involving 194 Black Angus steers (initial shrunk body weight: 410 ± 17.9 kg) housed in 24 pens.
Cattle received one of three treatments: ad libitum intake throughout (ADLIB), 92% of ad libitum intake for 56 days then ad libitum (RES56), or 92% of ad libitum intake for 86 days then ad libitum (RES86).
Feed restriction began on day 22 following diet adaptation, and data were analyzed using mixed linear models with initial shrunk body weight as a covariate.
Cumulative dry matter intake was greatest in the ADLIB group, resulting in the lowest gain-to-feed ratio compared to restricted groups (P ≤ 0.04), while cumulative average daily gain and final shrunk body weight showed no significant differences (P ≥ 0.71).
During days 108 to 140 when all cattle received ad libitum feed, RES86 achieved higher average daily gain than ADLIB (P = 0.04), with no difference between RES86 and RES56.
Hot carcass weight and ribeye area did not differ among treatments (P ≥ 0.27), but rib fat thickness and marbling scores were significantly greater in ADLIB cattle (P ≤ 0.02).

Cite This Study

Delver et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa7b3bf0926e14a848b2e21 https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txag139

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September 14, 2026Translational Animal ScienceOpen Access

Influence of Limit-Feeding Duration on Growth Performance and Carcass Traits of Finishing Steers

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

JDJustin J Delver FPFederico Podversich AMAna C B Menezes

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Randomized trial demonstrates temporary limit-feeding improves feed efficiency in finishing steers, indicating reduced intake without sacrificing weight gain but lowering fat deposition.

Key Points

To evaluate the impact of limit feeding yearling beef steers for 56 or 86 days before returning to ad libitum intake during a 141-day finishing period on growth performance and carcass traits.
Randomized complete block design involving 194 Black Angus steers (initial shrunk body weight: 410 ± 17.9 kg) housed in 24 pens.
Cattle received one of three treatments: ad libitum intake throughout (ADLIB), 92% of ad libitum intake for 56 days then ad libitum (RES56), or 92% of ad libitum intake for 86 days then ad libitum (RES86).
Feed restriction began on day 22 following diet adaptation, and data were analyzed using mixed linear models with initial shrunk body weight as a covariate.
Cumulative dry matter intake was greatest in the ADLIB group, resulting in the lowest gain-to-feed ratio compared to restricted groups (P ≤ 0.04), while cumulative average daily gain and final shrunk body weight showed no significant differences (P ≥ 0.71).
During days 108 to 140 when all cattle received ad libitum feed, RES86 achieved higher average daily gain than ADLIB (P = 0.04), with no difference between RES86 and RES56.
Hot carcass weight and ribeye area did not differ among treatments (P ≥ 0.27), but rib fat thickness and marbling scores were significantly greater in ADLIB cattle (P ≤ 0.02).

Cite This Study

Delver et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa7b3bf0926e14a848b2e21 https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txag139

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