Stocker Steer Gains and Fly Numbers as Impacted by Burn Date and Type of Mineral on Tallgrass Native Range – Year 3

This study aims to evaluate effectiveness of two operational management systems for steer gains and fly control. The first strategy evaluated was pasture burn date March (MAR) or April (APR). second free-choice mineral with spices (SPICE) without (CON). Eight pastures (n = 281 steers; initial weight 572 ± 75 lb) were used in a 2 × factorial treatment structure. Steers weighed individually, randomly assigned treatment, grazed 87 days. Weekly, 33% steers photographed count flies hair coat score. Neither the burning nor type impacted cattle all treatments. Cattle consuming had less through majority grazing period. Even though SPICE flies, spice did not result improvements gain as during weeks where than control, both treatments over economic threshold horn (200 per steer). Additional years on this project will be completed determine effects addition mineral.