One of our show heifers has bloated 3 times. We finally think it is the clover hay. She is on a feed of cracked corn, soybean meal and show cattle supplement. Good grass hay. No more episodes. Should we cull her or risk keeping her for breeding stock after our fair the end of June.
"Once a bloater always a bloater" they always say, but it sounds like it was the clover hay, plus the corn that was making her bloat so I don't think you won't have very many problems when she's older and off grain. Just when she's older don't feed her straight clover. Clover will even make cows with iron guts bloat sometimes.
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Some animals just can't handle a hot show ration, or even being confined and fed. Most of them are fine just being normal cattle, so I wouldn't cull her, but I'd retire her after this show. I know its very frustrating when you get a chronic bloater and you have weight deadlines to meet.
The detergent Is put on the feed you can do the same with sodium bicarbonate on the feed. We had a steer that would bloat if you gave grain first, if you hayed him first, just about a quarter flake is all it would take and no bloat.