Practical feeding of finishing cattle

Dr. Mary Drewnoski

When cattle reach the feedlot need to achieve the most rapid gain possible

High capital investment – time is money so must maximize gain◦ ADG 3 to 4 lb/d◦ F:G 6 to 7

High grain finishing diets typically result in the best performance and lowest cost of gain.

Feedlot nutrition

Energy is usually what limits gain in finishing diet◦ Want to maximize energy and not get digestive

problems◦ Energy management is typically where problems

occur Acidosis, liver abscesses and bloat Ionophores pay big time

Feedlot nutrition

Ration transition should not start until feeder cattle are settled in the feedlot and intakes have stabilized ◦ Start with 0.5 to 1% BW grain and work up to

finishing ration slowly (usually take 3-6 weeks) Making ration changes while intakes are

rapidly increasing, or moving cattle onto finishing diets too quick can result in acidosis that can reduce animal performance.

Transitioning cattle

Forage quality is not an issue; very little fiber digestion on finishing diets◦ 5-9% eNDF (stimulate rumination)

Grain processing has a large impact on the economics of finishing cattle. ◦ Monitor it regularly.

Keep fines to a minimum Keep whole kernels to a minimum

Finishing ration

High energy feedsGrain Maximum fed, % of DM Consideration

Corn grain 92Milo 92

Wheat 50 Acidosis can be a problem

Barley 90 Bloat can be a problem

Ground ear corn

95(If no forage fed)

High fiber

Rate of ruminal fermentation (if dry rolled)(Highest) Wheat, barley, corn, sorghum

(lowest)

Fat supplements (Tallow, Vegetable-Animal Fat)◦ Increase energy concentration◦ Reduce dustiness◦ Limit to 5% of DM

Molasses◦ Increase energy concentration◦ Reduce dustiness◦ Limit to 5% of DM

High energy feeds

Potato coproducts◦ A more slowly degradable source of starch than

corn◦ Lower in β-carotene, a source of vitamin A◦ Water content often limits use

Can range from 10 to 30% DM◦ The coproducts except the fried products, ensile

rapidly

High energy feeds

1) potato peels

2) Screen solids (small potatoes and pieces);

3) fried product (fries, hash browns, batter, crumbles)

4)material from the water recovery systems (oxidation ditch, belt solids, filter cake)

High energy feeds

Strive for consistency in feed delivery. ◦ This means exact ration formulas mixed for the

proper length of time. ◦ Enter ingredients in the same sequence each

load. ◦ Use a stop watch or a rotation counter to ensure

loads are consistently mixed.

Be consistent with time of feeding ◦ You don’t want to cause “unsureness” in the

cattle mind

Variation is the enemy

Minimize crashes in intakes, reduce waste, and achieve and maintain maximum intakes by following a disciplined protocol of feed increases.◦ Prescribed feeding (slick bunk management)

Feed to match cattle appetites

Variation is the enemy

Score Description0 No feed remaining in bunk.1/2 Scattered feed present. Most of bottom of

bunk exposed1 Thin uniform layer of feed across bottom of

bunk.Typically about 1 kernal deep.

2 25-50% of previous feed remaining.3 Crown of feed is thoroughly disturbed. >50%

of feed remaining.4 Feed is virtually untouched. Crown of feed

still noticeable.

Want them to have cleaned up within the hour◦ Is it still wet?

Slow and steady wins the race If score is zero for 2

or 3 days then increase the feed delivered to cattle by 5-10 percent

Bunk score 0

If the score is two or more, reduce the feed offered by 5-10 percent.

Scores constantly in the 2 to 3 range may lead to feed wastage

Clean up spoiled feed

Bunk score 2

Use the bunk scores but also have feed truck drivers record aggression scores

Want 25:50:25◦ 25% in pen at bunk ready to eat◦ 50% coming to the bunk (simulated by the truck)◦ 25% milling around not ready to eat

If more at bunk need to feed more If more milling around need to feed less

Making feed calls

Efficiencies decline and costs increase as cattle get heavier.

It is estimated that profitability per head decreases $1 for each day cattle are fed past the finish point.

Market at the right time