fnfarms1
Well-known member
I retain 8 butcher calves a year and sell them in 1/4, 1/2, and wholes. These are currently 6-800lbs, I purposely kept them at staggered weights because my butcher dates are strung out June-Sept. question being that I feel they should be growing better and eating more. Currently they are eating 125lbs once a day. I think they should clean up 150-175. They do have free choice hay. Also there is a heifer and dairy calf in there that will go to sale in few months. So 10 hd total avg 12.5lbs each. Last few days I've started trying to feed 2x a day 75lbs each feeding, 2nd feeding they don't clean up well. Been doing this 10yrs, first time they don't seem to gradually increase intake. They've all be dewormed etc recently. All seem healthy. Can they go without the hay? Being ruminates I think forage is needed.