Effects of Dry Matter Intake Restriction on Growth Performance and Carcass Merit of Finishing Steers1

Two studies were conducted to determine the effects of restricting DMI on growth performance and carcass merit of finishing steers. In Trial 1, 84 Angus cross steers (BW = 313 ± 7 kg) were randomly assigned to one of three treatment diets that were designed to achieve a 1.6 kg/d ADG at three intake levels: ad libitum, 90% of ad libitum DMI (LF90), or 80% of ad libitum DMI (LF80). In Trial 2, 84 Angus cross steers (BW = 327 ± 20 kg) were randomly assigned to one of two treatment diets that were designed to achieve an ADG of 1.6 kg/d at two intake levels: ad libitum or LF80. All diets delivered similar total NE, metabolizable protein, and P per day. Daily feed delivery (0800 h) for each treatment was determined based on a rolling 5-d average of DMI by steers fed ad libitum. No steers were treated for digestive disorders in either trial, and liver abscess scores