Back Into Breeding Condition

[slick4591]

I have a 16-month-old heifer that I was going to breed this month. About 6 weeks ago she came down with a respiratory infection, which drug her down. The doc shot her with LA 200 and sent her home for 2 weeks. That did little good and she got to looking a little worse. On the second trip I got them to give her Baytril and Nuflor and got her cleared up. Meanwhile, she still needs weight. I need a ration that will get her back into shape so I can get her bred ASAP.

This is what she’s been eating for the last month, eight pounds every other day. My best guess on her weight is around 700.

Crude Protein,min.................................................12.00%
Crude fat,min...............................................…..…..4.00%
Crude Fiber, max..................................................15.00%
Calcium (Ca), min..................................................0.50%
Calcium (Ca), max..................................................1.00%
Phosphorus (P), min ...............................................0.70%
Salt (NaCl), min..............................................…....0.75%
Salt (NaCl), max..............................................…....1.25%
Potassium (K), min............................................…...1.00%

INGREDIENTS:
Processed Grain By-Products, Grain Products, Roughage Products 15%, Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Mica and Salt.

 

[Gale Seddon]

Curious, why every other day instead of every day? I guess it may depend on the breed, but 16 months is time for a growth spurt, isn't it? Is 12% protein enough?

I'm probably overly cautious, but if it were one of mine, I think I'd wait until December to breed, just to make sure she's entirely well and in good condition.

 

[TexasBred]

Slick I assume that's probably a pelleted feed since processed grain by-products are listed in the list of ingredients. Who makes it?? I'd probably feed a 14% feed and then dilute it by adding extra corn to the pelleted feed for extra energy and weight gain.

 

[slick4591]

Gale- every other day is because they are out at the farm and not under foot. Trying to save a little fuel. It's been working for all the others, so I haven't changed it. I can feed every day if you think it will help. I’ve had her pelvic checked and another her same age and the doc told me to wait until late July to breed those two. That’s only if she is in condition. I was hoping to have her ready in October when I'll have a younger one ready.

TB- It's more like a small cube and Big V Feeds out of McAlester, OK makes it. Actually, I’ll have to see if the feed store can get a 14%. Last time I checked it was a 20% breeders cube and this stuff. Adding the corn is no problem.

 

[CKC1586]

I would be sure she got it every day as well, and add some corn to the mix. Here is the recipe I use:

500 pounds corn
100 pounds oats
1 50# Bovagain G38 PL
25. Molasses Liquid
2/5 White salt
1. Super ADE
45# Cotton Hull
Any questions on the recipe I am sure my mill wouldn't mind answering, Ask for Don at Westphalia Milling 989-587-4531

 

[slick4591]

Thanks, Cindy! I'm not in a position to have my feed mixed for me at the moment (storage), so I'll have to find something in a sack that will get her there. I'll sure keep this info, though.

 

[TexasBred]

I would be sure she got it every day as well, and add some corn to the mix. Here is the recipe I use:

500 pounds corn
100 pounds oats
1 50# Bovagain G38 PL
25. Molasses Liquid
2/5 White salt
1. Super ADE
45# Cotton Hull
Any questions on the recipe I am sure my mill wouldn't mind answering, Ask for Don at Westphalia Milling 989-587-4531

ONly a couple of comments. That small amount of CSH is just added expense. I'd double or triple the amount of delete the small amount. Same for the oats...very expensive and not enough in there to really do a lot except raise cost. Same for the small amount of molasses. How much Bovatec (lasalosid) is guaranteed on the tag? Just looking, it doesn't appear to be significant but could be wrong. Where is the protein source? (Bovagain..is it a 38% pellet)??

 

[slick4591]

I went ahead and found a medicated 14% this morning and some cracked corn. Will start everyday feeding and see where that takes her. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[TexasBred]

I went ahead and found a medicated 14% this morning and some cracked corn. Will start everyday feeding and see where that takes her. Thanks for the suggestions!

She'll respond....only thing now is corn is high as a cat's back. :cry2:

 

[Gale Seddon]

Slick4591, I understand the fuel thing...it goes down 5 cents/gallon one day and up 10 cents/gallon the next. Infuriating. I think the everyday feeding will help. It would be interesting to see before and after pictures!

 

[slick4591]

I'll get a picture at tomorrows feeding.

 

[KNERSIE]

Do you feed all your heifers like this (the normal ration)?
Why does she need to be in good condition before you breed her? As long as she's gaining and continue to do so its good enough.
If the vet thought her pelvic opening was small when he palpated, you'd be better off in the long run not breeding her at all.
In my book feeding is like being pregnant, either you are or you're not, feeding in halfmeasures makes no sense to me.

 

[slick4591]

My heifers have been on pasture with a liquid feed supplement available and I was feeding what I thought was a good ration. Yes, it has been my norm. They all bloomed and had no problem putting on weight until this one heifer got sick. My understanding is a heifer needs to be in good shape to breed, if not, then what I've been reading on this board has me confused now. The vet saw them a six or so weeks ago and told me if they were his he'd wait until late July to breed. Just following his advice.

 

[CKC1586]

I would be sure she got it every day as well, and add some corn to the mix. Here is the recipe I use:

500 pounds corn
100 pounds oats
1 50# Bovagain G38 PL
25. Molasses Liquid
2/5 White salt
1. Super ADE
45# Cotton Hull
Any questions on the recipe I am sure my mill wouldn't mind answering, Ask for Don at Westphalia Milling 989-587-4531

ONly a couple of comments. That small amount of CSH is just added expense. I'd double or triple the amount of delete the small amount. Same for the oats...very expensive and not enough in there to really do a lot except raise cost. Same for the small amount of molasses. How much Bovatec (lasalosid) is guaranteed on the tag? Just looking, it doesn't appear to be significant but could be wrong. Where is the protein source? (Bovagain..is it a 38% pellet)??

Following the recommendations of the nutritionist at the mill. This is a half batch, I usually get a 1000# corn batch...You are thinking I could do better on a commercial brand/recipe?? This batch was $118.70 on July 12, 2011.

 

[JSCATTLE]

What is her bcs ? Wouldn't that matter more than her weight. correct me if I'm wrong . But you can fatten a hiefer to fast and hurt her milk production in the future.

 

[slick4591]

What is her bcs ? Wouldn't that matter more than her weight. correct me if I'm wrong . But you can fatten a hiefer to fast and hurt her milk production in the future.

I knew someone would ask that. I have no idea how to score one.

 

[TexasBred]

Following the recommendations of the nutritionist at the mill. This is a half batch, I usually get a 1000# corn batch...You are thinking I could do better on a commercial brand/recipe?? This batch was $118.70 on July 12, 2011.

No good custom mixes are usually better than commercial grades of feed. This "custom mix" just has some things that either need to be put in at a beneficial level or be deleted completely. Those are the ones I pointed out. Otherwise all the do is affect cost. The price for the batch is a good price but you could be getting a better feed possibly even cheape. But as long as you like it, that's all that really matters. ;-)

 

[KNERSIE]

My heifers have been on pasture with a liquid feed supplement available and I was feeding what I thought was a good ration. Yes, it has been my norm. They all bloomed and had no problem putting on weight until this one heifer got sick. My understanding is a heifer needs to be in good shape to breed, if not, then what I've been reading on this board has me confused now. The vet saw them a six or so weeks ago and told me if they were his he'd wait until late July to breed. Just following his advice.

By all means follow your vet's advice, but if your heifers need that much pampering to get into a condition suitable for conceiving you'd be money ahead in the long run to re-think your type and maybe breed(s). Use cattle suited to your conditions rather than creative conditions suitable for your cattle.

 

[Gale Seddon]

Here's a BCS sheet; you can get lots more info (and photos) by googling "Cattle BCS."

http://www.vet.uga.edu/VPP/animaldoc/ca ... ttle03.php

 

[slick4591]

By all means follow your vet's advice, but if your heifers need that much pampering to get into a condition suitable for conceiving you'd be money ahead in the long run to re-think your type and maybe breed(s). Use cattle suited to your conditions rather than creative conditions suitable for your cattle.

See, this is where me being a rookie shows up. She may well be in good enough shape for breeding, but her being underweight concerns me greatly, and I don't want to throw her in with the bull if she might not be able to handle him. I also have her half sister that's within a few days of the same age and in better condition, so I'll be posting both their pictures this evening so you can see my concern. I also have no doubt they would do okay on just pasture. Everything else is something I wanted to do to supplement them.