Abstract
Intensive beef production in Kazakhstan requires feed technologies that increase growth rate and carcass quality while reducing dependence on expensive grain concentrates. Corn earlage is a high-energy preserved feed that can partially replace corn grain in finishing diets. Materials and Methods. A production trial was conducted under the conditions of KazBeef LLP with two groups of beef steers, 30 head in each group, selected by the analogue principle according to age, breed and initial live weight. The control group received a conventional diet with corn grain, whereas in the experimental group part of the grain component was replaced by corn earlage in an energetically equivalent amount. Feeding was organized according to a five-stage finishing scheme. Growth dynamics, dry matter intake, feed conversion, slaughter weight, carcass yield, internal fat, USDA grading results and feed costs were recorded. Results. The use of earlage shortened the finishing period from 285 to 253 days without reducing final live weight. Total live-weight gain was comparable between groups, but average daily gain was about 100 g higher in the experimental group. Feed conversion improved from 12.9 to 11.6 kg of dry matter per 1 kg of gain. Slaughter weight increased from 325.8 to 339.5 kg, while the share of Prime carcasses rose from 34 to 43%. Feed cost per head decreased by KZT 21,733, or 12.1%. Discussion and Conclusions. Corn earlage improved productive and economic indicators mainly through better feed efficiency and earlier achievement of market condition. Future studies should clarify the optimal earlage level for different breeds and finishing stages.