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Wrenchbender 01-18-2013 08:17:27 96.60.185.66 Report to Moderator	I've got four 600-700lb calves I'm feeding out for freezer beefs. This is my first time doing this and wanted to get some others' feedback and advice. I'm currently feeding them about 5lb total feed/head a day along with all the grass/alfalfa hay they want. My feed is 1.25lb of 32% supplement and the rest rolled/cracked corn. Is this enough feed, too much, about right? What methods have you used or are you using? TIA, this is a great forum and always full of info! WB<><. [Reply]   [No Email]
LAA 01-18-2013 19:20:06 86.51.147.113 Report to Moderator	First, the amount of protein you are feeding is excessive in relation to the amount of energy (corn), Second, no, you are not feeding enough total feed to efficiently fatten your calves. The ration you are feeding, minus the 1 1/2 lbs. per day of the 32% would be what I would call a wintering ration, intended to keep the cattle gaining a pound to a pound and a half or so per day, mostly growing frame and muscle with the intention of turning them out on spring pasture, but not with 6-7 weight yearlings, that would be for 3-5 weight calves. Depending on the quality and percentage of Alfalfa in your hay you may have most of your protein needs met by the hay, if the hay was at least 50% Alfalfa I would be feeding that weight of cattle free choice hay, 6-7 pounds of ground or rolled corn and a pound of 16% supplement per day, less than 50% Alfalfa increase the corn by a pound. You have to adjust the ration gradually as they grow and anytime you change the ration or increase it do so over a period of days to avoid the cattle going off feed. If you look on e-bay you can buy a copy of ''Morrisons feeds and feeding'' for probably 10 bucks, this book was the text book used in college nutrition courses for many years, the 21st revision was published in the 50's and the information is just as accurate today as it was then it has everything you need to know about developing rations and calculating how much to feed any class of livestock as well as a whole lot of other useful information.   [Reply]  [No Email]