Bryan Miller and Vern Anderson
Double MM Bison Ranch
and
Carrington Research Extension Center-NDSU
Introduction
The bison industry is experiencing tremendous growth in the Northern Plains. However, bison
bulls in the feedlot are the segment of the bison industry of most concern due to seasonal
variation in feed intake, limited gains, and marginal profits. Little research has been conducted
on nutrition and feedlot management for bison. The National Bison Association has established
quality control guidelines for bison finished on grain in order to develop a more consistent and
palatable meat product. Many feeders are using the lowest cost feeds available , i.e. screenings,
as a major ingredient in the feedlot ration (Anderson and Sexhus 1996; Anderson, 1995).
Increased gains would be expected from increased energy density in the diet. The major energy
source available is corn. The performance and economics from higher corn levels, type of corn
and processing are not known.
Experimental Procedure
This study was conducted at the Double MM Bison Ranch at Carrington ND. Home raised
and purchased bulls were fed in four pens using self feeders for the grain component and large
round ring feeders for the hay. Twenty animals were randomly allotted to each pen by rotating
assignment based on sequence through the chute. The Latin Square design study compared
four rations during four 80 day feeding periods so each pen was exposed to each ration. The
treatments were differences in the concentrate portion of the diet. Treatments were 1) 85%
wheat screenings with 15% corn pelleted as a homogenous product(SCRN), 2) 75% rolled
conventional corn with 25% pelleted screenings based supplement (CONV), 3) 75% rolled waxy
corn with 25% pelleted screenings based supplement (RWXY) and 4) 75% whole waxy corn with
25% pelleted screenings based supplement (WWXY). The SCRN diet and pelleted supplement
added to the other three diets were formulated to provide approximately equal amounts of
molasses and minerals on a per head per day basis.
Animals remained in their respective pens and the rations were rotated randomly to different
pens at the end of each period. The concentrate and hay portions of the diet were weighed when
placed in the feeder. At the end of the period, remaining feed and hay was cleaned out and
reweighed to calculate feed consumed.
Each animal was weighed individually at the start of the trial and at the end of each period.
The trial started on June 21, 1995 and concluded on May 6, 1996. One animal was removed at
the end of the first period due to health reasons, an apparent chronic respiratory problem. One
animal in pen 3 exhibited significant hostile behavior towards humans, however that animal
completed the study.
Feed consumed and animal performance were summarized by period for each pen. Statistical
analysis was conducted using analysis of variance for main effects of diet treatment, season and
pen. The 80 day feeding periods were closely associated with summer, fall, winter and spring
respectively.
This project was supported by the North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Commission,
North Dakota Waxy Corn Growers, and the North Dakota Buffalo Association.
Results and Discussion
Results by period are presented in table 2. Differences (P<.05) were observed between
summer and fall vs winter and spring for dry matter intake per unit body weight expressed as
grams per kilogram (29.12 and 27.42 vs 18.37 and 17.64). Average daily gains were greater
(P<.05) during the summer and fall (1.85 and 1.95 lb) vs winter (.99 lb) with spring gains
intermediate. Dry matter intake was reduced during the winter and spring enough to offset the
reduced gains and render feed efficiency similar (P<.05) over all periods. This data agrees with
reduce animal performance during the winter observed by Rutley and Church, (1995); Stanton et
al.,(1996); and Anderson and Miller, (1995, 1996).
Performance data by ration treatment is presented in table 3. Gains increased numerically but
not to a significant level (P<.05) with 75% corn in the diet. Hay dry matter was higher (P<.05) for
SCRN than RWXY and WWXY with CONT intermediate. Stanton et al (1996) observed
increased gains (P<.05) with increasing levels of corn in the diet using 30, 50, 70 and 90% corn
in bison finishing diets.
Feed costs should be calculated on current market prices. As fed intake and feed costs per
pound gain are reported in table 4. Prices assigned are theoretical but reflect relationships in
price of the commodities used. Each producer will have to calculate his own feed costs based on
local prices and feed intake of his animals.
Implications
The relative cost of feed in relation to animal performance remains the major issue in all
feedlot enterprises. Improved gains do not always offset increased costs. The relatively low cost
of a screenings based diet is not always taken to greatest advantage if pelleting costs and feed
waste are significant.
References
Anderson, V. L. and Dennis Sexhus. 1996. Current practices and priorities of bison feeders in
the Northern Plains. North Dakota State University, Carrington Research Extension Center
Livestock Field Day Proceedings, Vol. 19:25
Anderson, V. L. and Bryan Miller. 1995a. Effects of season and diet, including costs on feedlot performance of bison. Prof. An. Sci. (in review).
Anderson, V. L. and Bryan Miller. 1995b. Influence of diet and season on feedlot performance of bison. North Dakota State University, Carrington Research Extension Center Livestock Field Day Proceedings. Vol. 18:15.
Rutley, Bruce, D. and John S. Church. 1995. Effect of time of year on average daily gain of feedlot finished bison (Bison bison). Peace Country Bison Association, Northern Lights College, Dawson Creek, B. C. Canada.
Stanton, T. L., D. Schutz, M Mc Farlane, R. Seedig, and D. Stewart. 1996. Concentrate level in bison finishing rations on feedyard performance. Prof. An. Sci. 12:6.
Pelleted Pelleted
Wheat Waxy Conventional Screenings Grass
Screenings Corn Corn Supplement Hay
---------- ----- ----- ---------- -----
Dry Matter, % 89.83 86.04 85.35 90.82 90.10
Protein, % 14.95 10.20 9.62 20.88 10.97
Acid Det. Fiber, % 14.59 2.85 3.39 8.78 50.98
Neutral Detergent Fiber, % 22.97 15.19 15.87 22.32 73.94
Calcium, % .76 .07 .18 2.89 .41
Phosphorous, % .37 .18 .17 .34 .13
Fat, % 4.43 4.74 4.25 3.84 1.21
Calories/gram 4448 573 4597 4076 4419
Season of the Year
-------------------------------------
Summer Fall Winter Spring SE
------ ----- ------ ------
Concentrate DM intake, lb 13.77 17.11 10.49 12.22
Hay DM intake, lb 5.95 5.62 6.90 6.14
Total DM intake, lb 19.71 22.72 17.40 18.36
DM intake, g/kg 29.12 27.42 18.37 17.64
Average Daily Gain, lb 1.85 1.95 .99 1.33
Feed/gain 10.80 11.99 18.71 14.05
Ration Treatment
Pelleted Rolled Rolled Whole
Wheat Conventional Waxy Waxy
Screenings Corn Corn Corn SE
---------- ------------ ------ ------
Number of animals per pen 20 20 20 20
Starting weight, lb
Conc. DM intake, lb 13.01 13.02 13.58 13.98
Hay DM intake, lb 6.69 6.43 5.82 5.67
Total DM intake, lbs/hd/day 19.70 19.45 19.40 19.65
Average Daily gain, lbs/hd/day 1.35 1.63 1.68 1.46
Feed efficiency, gain/unit feed 16.46 12.21 11.87 15.03
Ration Treatment
Pelleted Rolled Rolled Whole
Wheat Conventional Waxy Waxy
Screenings Corn Corn Corn
---------- ------------ ------ ------
Daily concentrate intake, lb as fed 14.44 14.44 15.07 15.52
Daily hay intake, lb as fed 7.42 7.14 6.45 6.30
Feed cost per head per day 1.05 1.01 1.06 1.08
Feed cost per pound of gain .77 .62 .63 .74
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Feed costs used for this example are: hay - $40/ton; conventional corn - $3.00/bu; waxy corn -
$3.10/bu, pelleted screenings diet - $120/ton; and pelleted supplement - $160/ton.
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