Effects of Soybean Hulls, Wet Brewer’s Grain or a Combination Supplement on the Performance of Forage-fed Steers during Backgrounding

supplementation scenarios. Introduction Backgrounding of cattle is generally utilized to prepare the calf for subsequent segments of the beef cattle industry. Cravey (1996) suggested that backgrounded calves may demonstrate greater feedlot profitability as a result of greater feedlot ADG, gain:feed, decreased medicinal cost and mortality compared to nonbackgrounded cattle. Step et al. (2008) indicated that calves from a single source that were retained after weaning for 45 d had less feedlot morbidity and health cost during the initial feedlot receiving period compared to commingled or direct-transported calves after weaning. The profitability of backgrounding calves is complicated by many factors including calf purchase/sale price, feed cost, and medicine costs (Peel, 2003). In order for backgrounding to be a feasible practice, consistent profits must be expected.