The effect of feed rations on the production performance of young bulls – weight gains

Poland is currently one of Europe’s leading producers and exporters of beef cattle and beef. Beef cattle farming, particularly on smaller farms, is becoming an alternative to dairy farming or pig fattening. The dominant feeding system for beef cattle in Poland is based on maize silage or grass silage, supplemented with concentrated feeds – energy and protein sources. Frequent droughts reduce the amount of roughage produced on farms and limit their feed base. It is therefore important to consider how the basic feed base of farms specialising in beef cattle fattening can be supplemented, enriched and diversified. Various wet and dry by-products from the agri-food industry are currently available on the market. These can be successfully used in the feeding of beef cattle as a good source of energy and protein in feed rations. In order for beef cattle producers to fully exploit the nutritional potential of these feeds, they need information on the quantities and proportions in which they can be used in feed rations for beef cattle, and with what supplementary energy- and protein-rich concentrates.