There are so many show feeds out there, compare price, fat, protein, additives, and ingredients in that order. Growers will be around 14% protein with around 2.5% fat; a finisher will be around 12-13% protein and around 5% fat. Most are medicated and balanced with minerals that the calf needs, you just need to give the grain, hay and water. 2 to 3 percent of their body weight a day, we usually work them up to 24 pounds and stop increasing from that point. 600# steer 18# of grain, 700# steer 21# grain, up to 24 pounds grain plus hay. If the calf hits it prime early or just needs to be slowed down for a while replace some of the grain with beet pulp, they continue to eat the same volume just less calories. It is usually 2 to 1 grain to beet pulp; unless you really need to hold them then it is 1 to 3 plus protein and fat supplement (stabilized rice bran) to keep them fresh looking.
We have found the best way to get a nice smooth finish on our calves is to feed 2 pounds of Stabilized Rice Bran the last 90 days.
You have to use Stabilized; just plain rice bran goes sour and does not give the same results. It is a horse supplement but really helps get a nice layer of finish that is smooth to the touch.
