Abstract
In
order to determine if including flaxseed in creep feed would affect nursing calf
performance, subsequent feedlot performance, and ensuing carcass composition,
ninety-six cow-calf (steer) pairs (663 ± 9 kg
initial cow BW; 168 ± 1 kg initial calf BW) from the Central Grasslands Research Extension Center,
Streeter, ND (located in south-central North Dakota) were stratified by cow age
and steer weight, and allotted to one of 12 native pastures (8 pairs per
pasture). Pastures were assigned randomly to one of four treatments (DM basis):
1) no creep feed (CON); 2) 0% flaxseed creep feed which was 55% wheat middlings, 39.5% soy hulls, 4.2% molasses, and 1.3%
limestone (CRP); 3) low flaxseed creep feed which was 12.5%
flaxseed, 26.0% wheat middlings, 56.0% soy hulls,
4.2% molasses, and 1.3% limestone (LOW); or 4) high flaxseed creep feed which
was 25.0% flaxseed, 69.5% soy hulls, 4.2% molasses, and 1.3% dicalcium phosphate (HIGH). All creep fed calves were
offered CRP ad libitum for the initial 21 d to
acclimate calves to feeders and diets. Treatment diets were offered ad libitum for 37 d prior to weaning. Calves were then
co-mingled and fed a corn and corn-silage-based backgrounding
diet for 98 d after which they were fed a corn-based finishing diet for 143 d.
Once cattle were appraised to have an average of 1 cm of external fat, cattle
were transported to an abattoir, harvested, chilled for 24 h, and carcass data
were collected. Loin samples (longissimus lumborum; approx. 1000 g) were removed from the left side
of each carcass, transported to the