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Field pea replacement value in calf weaning transition diets
ASAS Abstract

D.G. Landblom¹, D. K. Olson², and K. Helmuth^1
1NDSU - Dickinson Research Extension Center
²Dickinson State University, Dickinson, ND

In a two year study, 299 beef steer and heifer calves were weaned and moved to the Dickinson Research Extension Center=s growing lots to evaluate the effect of a 37d conditioning period in which field peas replaced a portion of commonly used fiber-based ingredients (soyhulls, wheat midds, barley malt sprouts) on postweaning diet composition, subsequent feedlot performance, carcass quality and system economics. Pelleted treatments fed were: 1) SBM/Corn, 2) Pea/Corn, 3) 0% Pea, 4) 10% Pea, 5) 20% Pea and 6) 30% Pea. Test diets replaced approximately 70% of the hay offered. ADG (37d) was greater for calves receiving SBM/Corn, 0,10 and 20% pea replacement diets (P<.0002). Calves receiving a diet with no added pea consumed more feed/d. (P<.0001) than calves offered SBM/corn, 10 and 20% pea test diets. Replacing 30% of fiber-based ingredients with peas depressed gain (P<.0002), feed intake (P<.0001), and numerically increased feed required/kg of gain. Feed efficiencies among the test diets were 7.23, 8.34, 7.34, 7.0, 7.23, 9.1, for treatments 1-6, respectively, but did not differ. Steer calves were fed to final harvest at Decatur Co. Feedyard, Oberlin, KS. Steers that received 0 and 20% pea weaning diets required numerically fewer days on feed. No difference was measured for hot carcass weight(P>.59), REA(P>.53), marbling score(P>.14), yield grade(P>.18), quality grade(P>.13) or percent choice(P>.15). Regarding carcass quality, steers receiving a 20% pea replacement diet graded numerically higher (71.3% Choice), however, heavier final carcass weight and lower weaning feed cost among steers started on the SBM/Corn weaning diet combined to increase net return, despite a lower number of carcasses grading choice (45.1%). Highest enterprise net returns of $179.24, $168.90, and $166.56/Hd were realized for steers receiving SBM/corn, 0 and 20% pea test diets, respectively. Overall, enterprise net return favored selling after a short 37d weaning period (ave =$264.10) vs. retaining ownership (ave=$160.57).

Key Words: Field Peas, Calves, Weaning Diets

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