Management Effect of Feeding Triticale on the Growth Performance of Crossbred Feedlot Cattle

An investigation was conducted to evaluate the management effect of feeding triticale on the performance of crossbred feedlot cattle. Steers were weighed at fortnightly intervals until 83 days. Steers were weighed at 0700hr and fed upon (7 animals/treatment) at weighing on d 0, 20, 40, and 83 of the trial. Measurements were made of daily feed intake, average daily gain, body weight gain and feed / gain ratio. The animals were allocated by randomized block design on the basis of live weight to one of three dietary high concentrates rations of triticale, corn and wheat grain for crossbred feedlot cattle. Average daily gains of steers fed triticale, corn and wheat were1.14, 1.39 and 1.28 kg, respectively, and were significantly different (P<0.05).Daily feed intake was significantly (P<0.05) higher for corn fed steers (8.38 kg) than the values for crossbred steers fed triticale (7.22 kg) or wheat (7.19 kg).Feed gain / ratio even though not significant, but tended to be the best on wheat and poorest on triticale.It is therefore concluded that corn was slightly superior to triticale and wheat as a finishing ration and triticale is potentially an important feed grain in beef finishing rations.