Effect of feed bunk management on feedlot steer intake1

Twelve pens of yearling steers were used to determine the effects of bunk management on DMI and the pattern of feed disappearance from the feed bunk. Three 0630 h target bunk scores were compared: 0 = a bunk devoid of feed particles; 1/2 = a bunk containing up to 0.25 kg of feed/steer; and 1 = a bunk containing greater than 0.25 and up to 1.0 kg of feed/steer. Steers were fed twice daily at 0700 (round 1) and 1130 h (round 2), and bunks were observed by a single observer at 1630, 2200, 0200, and 0630 h. Daily DMI for steers fed to a target score of 0 (9.74 kg) was lower (P < 0.05) than that for steers fed to a target score of 1/2 (10.37 kg), which was lower (P < 0.01) than that for steers fed to a target score of 1 (11.21 kg). In addition, a treatment-by-time interaction (P < 0.001) for the estimated disappearance of feed from the bunk suggests that eating patterns differed by treatment. Even though adequate feed was available in all bunks from 0700 until 1600 h to support similar DMI during this time period for all treatments, steers fed to a target score of 0 consumed less feed during the day (0730 until 1600 h) than did steers fed to a target score of 1/2 (P < 0.001), which consumed less feed from delivery through 1600 h than did steers fed to a target score of 1 (P < 0.01). These data indicate that slick bunk management systems may restrict DMI in feedlot steers and alter feed consumption patterns.