Comparison of Low-Input Pasture to High-Input Drylot Backgrounding on Performance and Profitability of Beef Calves Through Harvest

Over 3 yr, 250 calves (236 kg initial BW; 133 steers and 117 heifers) were used to compare a low-input pasture backgrounding system (PAST) to a high-input drylot system (DLOT) to evaluate performance and profit during the backgrounding (BACKGRD; weaning to 42 to 45 d) and finishing (FINISH; end BACKGRD to slaughter) phases. Calves were randomly assigned to PAST or DLOT treatments during BACKGRD. The DLOT calves were fed a corn-wheat midds-based pellet plus alfalfa hay (0.68 to 1.13 kg/d), and PAST calves were supplemented with a 32% CP range cube (0.57 kg/d; 3 times/wk). During BACKGRD, DLOT calves gained more BW (P < 0.01) and had a greater final value (P = 0.03), but feed and total costs were more than 4-fold greater (P < 0.01). Net income during BACKGRD was $45 greater (P < 0.01) for PAST than DLOT. After BACKGRD, only steers were finished at a commercial feedlot where they were managed as a single group. During FINISH, PAST steers had greater ADG (P< 0.01; 1.27 vs. 1.07 kg/d) through interim weight (74 to 94 d on feed), but subsequent ADG was similar (P = 0.68). There were no differences (P ≥ 0.13) in interim BW, days on feed, total ADG, carcass characteristics, or proportion of steers treated for sickness. However, DLOT steers had greater death loss (P = 0.02; 7.6 vs. 0.0%). During FINISH, PAST steers garnered $111 more gross income (P < 0.01; $946 vs. $833 per carcass) and had a net return advantage (P < 0.01) of $103 per head.