Invited Review: Effects of management on performance of stocker cattle and subsequent feedlot performance: A review within Applied Animal Science

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this review is to summarize relevant research from the journal Applied Animal Science (formerly known as The Professional Animal Scientist) between 1995 and 2024, that explores management practices and concepts as they relate to stocker calf performance and subsequent feedlot performance. A secondary objective of this review is to describe research trends and identify knowledge and research gaps within existing literature.

Sources

Sources for this article included peer-reviewed scientific literature obtained from the journal Applied Animal Science, formerly known as The Professional Animal Scientist. Literature used in this review included original research, short communications, technical notes, meta- analyses, and review articles between 1995 and 2024. A primary search excluded literature that were on species other than beef and dairy cattle. From there, a secondary search evaluated literature for inclusion if it contained the following key words: stocker, growing, grazing, yearling, grazing, backgrounding, cow-calf, feedlot(s), and finishing/finisher. Literature was excluded from this review if the study solely evaluated cow-calf or feedlot enterprises. Additionally, literature was excluded if there was not a stocker or grazing component to the study. Sources were further divided by the state or region in which the research was conducted to identify general production system locations and practices.

Synthesis

Stocker and feedlot phases of beef production systems are 2 crucial phases in the beef supply chain, with each phase serving distinct roles in the beef life cycle. Most weaned calves will go directly into stocker/backgrounding programs, thereby making stocker calf management critical. Stocker production management practices may vary based on numerous factors, such as climate, resource availability, and producer goals, potentially affecting subsequent feedlot performance.

Conclusions and Applications

Future research should focus on an all-encompassing systems approach, following calves from birth through the retail and marketing processes, and examine effects of health and technology integration.