Implanting suckling steer calves with 12 mg pellets of diethylstilbestrol (DES) resulted in weight gains of 22 lbs more by weaning time, and 42 lbs more by the end of the feedlot period, as compared with the controls. During marking and branding, 34 head of 114-day-old suckling steer calves were randomly assigned to either an implant, or control group. After weaning at 262 days of age, implanted and control cattle were fed for slaughter with all calves receiving 10 mg DES per day in the feed. The carcass weights and carcass weight-per-day-of-age of the implants (691 lbs and 1.43 lbs) were significantly greater (P <.001 and P <.05) than the controls (649 lbs and 1.34 lbs). Carcass measures and grades were similar for both groups except the implants had significantly (P <.01) more pounds of retail cuts per day of age than the controls (.68 vs. 65).

Experimental animals were provided by Glen Eidman and Ken Sexton, Nye Ranch, Willows, California, and assistance in collection of data was obtained from the Nevada Nile Ranch, Inc., Feedlot, Lovelock, Nevada, and Minch's Wholesale Meats, Inc., Red Bluff, California.