133 Feeding Behavior of High-Risk Steers Newly Received for Backgrounding

Abstract There is a need to understand the feeding behavior ontogeny of newly received high-risk steers. Understanding how calves learn eat out bunk will facilitate implementation management practices that expedite this process and allow animal managers exploit information monitor individual health. To address knowledge gap, steers were for backgrounding was quantified characterized using electronic feedbunks in context. create paradigm, crossbred (n = 20) purchased two groups (Group: n 64 steers; Group 2: 56 steers) from local auction market, transported 800 km Prairie Research Unit Prairie, MS, immediately weighed (shrunk body weight, BW). Steers according research unit space availability. Therefore, purchases occurred 133 days apart. The subsequent day, ranked by shrunk BW (227 ±.3 kg) allocated 1 8 drylot pens steers/pen) with GrowSafe automated systems per pen. fed total mixed ration ad libitum 28-day period steer recorded on d 0, 2, 6, 10, 13, 21 28. Daily [e.g., meal duration (sec), intake (g/d), frequency (count/d), visit head down maximum non-feeding interval (NFI,s), ratio duration)] calculated Meal Criterion Calculation Software. impact time performance analyzed linear model (PROC MIXED). determine when had established consistent dry matter (DMI), consistency defined as DMI remained within one standard deviation 7-day average steer. Latency first attendance (d), feed consumption, attainment NEm requirement, latency (d) establish levels generalized GLIMMIX) binomial data. Steer increased across (P < 0.01), whereas daily gain was.48 ± 0.4 kg/d. All behaviors changed 0.01). (duration frequency), (mean sum), duration, NFI over time. visited consumed their day 4 achieved requirements day11 These results quantify acclimation new environment characterizes learning development novel modes eating. inform behavioral expectations can be used cattle health, perception, promote welfare.