I too have thought about this and I can see both points. I feed in a bunker about 1 foot off the ground. I guess that I want the show steer to eat as much show feed as I feed him. If he cleans it up, with less stress on back and neck then all the better. When I turn them out in the evening, there he is, head to the ground eating grass.
He has free choice hay as well, so he can do whatever he wants. I think it depends on the situation and how heavy the calf is anyway. We treat them like royalty anyway. Daily baths and brushing, fans and misters. Pick up their poop and even wipe their butt at times.
Go the extra mile and raise the feed bunker and maybe he will reward you with banner or he may just step on your foot.
Either way, we wouldn't do it if we didn't enjoy it so darn much.
It's interesting that I get accused of being a tight wad in everything except for the steers and heifers. It's true though, I will order water for lunch but will easily spend $ 50 on a supplement.
Chuck
