We feed our brahma crosses a mix feed the year round, bushes & briars, they mix it as they please.
The herd gets free choice salt / mineral / grass the year round. Hay in the winter, a few cubes when we're getting them up to work, worming, etc. or if the weather is very bad, freezing rain, etc.
Replacement heifers are started on creep at weaning ( in the fall ) and stay on it until the spring. After that, no more babying, theres only 2 can'ts on the farm, if you can't produce, you can't stay.
;-)