Effects of Dry Matter Intake Restriction on Growth Performance and Carcass Merit of Finishing Steers 1: 1

Two studies were conducted to determine the effects of restricting DMI on growth performance and carcass merit of finishing steers. In Trial 1, 84 Angus cross steers (BW = 313 ± 7 kg) were randomly assigned to one of three treatment diets that were designed to achieve a 1.6 kg/d ADG at three intake levels: ad libitum, 90% of ad libitum DMI (LF90 ), or 80% of ad libitum DMI (LF80 ). In Trial 2, 84 Angus cross steers (BW = 327 ± 20 kg) were randomly assigned to one of two treatment diets that were designed to achieve an ADG of 1.6 kg/d at two intake levels: ad libitum or LF80. All diets delivered similar total NE, metabolizable protein, and P per day. Daily feed delivery (0800 h) for each treatment was determined based on a rolling 5-d average of DMI by steers fed ad libitum. No steers were treated for digestive disorders in either trial, and liver abscess scores were similar between treatments (Trial 1, P=0.65; Trial 2, P=0.73). Actual average DMI during Trial 1 were 2.45% BW for ad libitum steers, 2.26% BW for LF90 (92% of ad libitum intake), and 1.99% BW for LF80 (81% of ad libitum intake). During Trial 2, actual average DMI was 2.43% BW for ad libitum steers and 1.94% BW for LF80. Steer ADG was greater (P