Grain processing for beef cattle

Abstract

Rations with higher concentrate content lead to greater average daily, better feed to gain ratio, greater fat deposition on carcasses, increased dressing percentage and lower operating costs in feedlot, making the activity more profitable (Preston 1998; Nunez et al. 2008; Carareto et al. 2010). Because of these reasons and the high cost of energy of preserved forage, worldwide concentrate-rich diets have been studied in the countries that have significant production of beef and milk in feedlots (Santos et al. 2011). In general, cereal grains represent the main energy source in rations for cattle finished in feedlot (Huntington 1997; Owens et al. 1997; Santos et al. 2011).