Economic potential of alternative perennial forage-beef systems for finishing calves and yearlings in Virginia

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the economic potential of alternative perennial forage-beef systems for finishing weaned steer calves and yearling steers on Virginia farms. The experimental feeding trials were conducted in the Appalachian and Shenandoah areas of Virginia. The distinguishing variables of the present research are that calf and yearling beef steers were either wholeplant grazed or first grazed on varying acres of perennial pasture and were fed a daily grain supplement varying from zero to 1.0% of bodyweight. No supplemental protein was fed to animals on pasture. One-half of the calves in each treatment were finished on corn silage and supplemented with soybean meal. For Appalachia, Virginia results indicate that calves wholeplant grazed and fed no grain on pasture and finished in drylot on corn silage was in general the most profitable alternative. For Shenandoah, Virginia, calves first grazed and fed a daily grain supplement at 0.5% of bodyweight was the most profitable. If the possibility of finishing beef steers on corn silage is not considered first grazing and feeding supplemental grain on pasture at any corn price considered is relatively more profitable than any other experimental treatment considered for either area of Virginia. It was more profitable to finish beef steers that did not receive supplemental grain on a corn silage and soybean meal ration than it was to finish beef steers that did receive supplemental grain on pasture.