Theses and Dissertations

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Rivera, J. Daniel

Committee Member

Vann, Rhonda C.

Committee Member

Ward, Stephanie H.

Date of Degree

12-13-2014

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Animal Science

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department

Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences

Abstract

One hundred crossbred beef steers were used in two experiments to evaluate effects of growth implants on performance. Steers were implanted either at 3.5 months and weaning (CALF); at weaning (WEAN); or not implanted (NONE). In Experiment 1 implanted steers weighed more at weaning (P = 0.01), and had a higher ADG for the entire trial compared to non-implanted steers (P = 0.03). In Experiment 2, at 80 d post wean, implanted steers outweighed NONE (P = 0.09). Overall ADG (P = 0.01) was greater for cattle that were implanted. In the feedlot the CALF group had the lowest ADG (P = 0.01), and final BW (P = 0.07). At harvest CALF had the highest dressing percentage (P = 0.04), smallest LMA (P = 0.1), and lowest IMF (P = 0.06). Implants can increase productivity in beef cattle however, marketing and management strategy will dictate use.

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11668/18988

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