Feeding Management “Science and Art”

Jason Cleere Extension Beef Cattle Specialist

NO MAGIC, JUST SCIENCE & ART

SCIENCE: - NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS - NUTRIENT COMPOSITION OF

FEEDS - PHYSIOLOGY OF DIGESTION - DIET FORMULATION

Dr. Dennis Herd, 1999

• What makes a feed great?????

NO MAGIC, JUST SCIENCE & ART

ART: - KEEN OBSERVATION - RECOGNIZE HABBITS, LIKES & DISLIKES - DOING THINGS ON TIME - ESTABLISHING ROUTINES - RECOGNIZING NORMAL BEHAVIOR FROM

ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR

- CORRECTING PROBLEMS WHEN FIRST NOTICED BEFORE THEY BECOME SERIOUS

Dr. Dennis Herd, 1999

Basic Types of Feeds “Grains”

• Grains such as corn, barley, sorghum grain – High in energy – Energy is important for maintenance and growth – “Extra energy” will fatten cattle

• Corn is best because it is more consistent in nutrient content and processing properties

• Barley can replace up to 50% of the corn in the diet – Add to a finishing ration to increase energy – Puts a smoother finish on steers????

Basic Types of Feeds “Protein Supplements”

• High Protein Supplements – Used to increase the protein content of the diet

– Cottonseed meal – Soybean meal

Basic Types of Feeds “Roughages”

• Roughages help to prevent nutritional ailments “safety net” – acidosis – bloat – founder

• Provide fill for cattle

What brand do I feed???

• Lyssy & Eckel Feed • ACCO • Purina • Martindale Feeds • The local COOP’s feed • Custom Mix

Brand name on the bag does not matter!!!!

• Contents of the bag are most important – Fresh – Mixed well – Consistency from one bag to the next is very

important!!! • If the feed is economical and of good

quality it is even better!!!!!

When do I feed???

• Twice each day – Sometimes three times daily

• Within about 30 minutes of a standard feeding time that you determine – 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

How do I feed???

What do I feed????

Starting cattle on feed…..

• Start calves out on a starter or grower feed that is ~40-50% corn and high in roughage – Keep out free choice hay – A safe guard against acidosis – Feed between 1% and 2% of their body weight

for 3-4 days • If they have never been on a grain based diet

– Gradually increase intake up to 2 to 2.5% of their body weight

Feeding Heifers

• Heifers can typically be fed a grower diet (~45-50% corn) throughout their “Show Career”

• However, a finishing diet (~60-70% corn) can be fed to “hard doing” heifers that could use more condition

• Feed at 2-2.5% of their body weight

Feeding Heifers • DO NOT get heifers too fat!!!!!!

Feeding Steers

• Finished weight and date are very important in making feeding management decisions

Feeding Steers

• Steers should be on a grower (~45-50% corn) diet until they reach approximately 900 lbs – Large frame steers may need to be placed on

finisher at 600 pounds • Gradually step the steers up to a finishing diet

(~60-70% corn) over about a 2 week period • Feed at 2-2.5% of their body weight • Additional corn or barley can be added to the

finisher if needed – But be very careful

Cooking Feed • Additional corn or barley can be cooked and

added to the finisher if needed – But be very careful

Steers and Heifers • Feed at least one block (flake) of medium

quality hay daily – Sudan hay – Bermudagrass hay – Grass hay

Supplements • If you use supplements, make an educated

decision on the supplement to use – Check out the ingredients

Supplements

• Probiotics

Growth Promotants • Market Steers Only!!!!!!!!!!

Final note!!!

• Observe your cattle carefully and watch for: – Bloat – Founder – Acidosis – Nasal discharge – Acting different!!!

http://beef.tamu.edu jjcleere@ag.tamu.edu