Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. The impact of high quality supplementary feeds on cattle growth rates was investigated in 2 experiments. The combined results of this experimental series show a consistent liveweight gain response to supplementation of high quality feeds, under both low and high quality pasture conditions. Given current grain prices in New Zealand, its use as a tactical supplement in beef finishing systems will be confined to overcoming variable forage supply and attaining supply contract premiums.
Pasture silage is an alternative supplement for summer, but high quality is a pre-requisite.