Feed Program

[Briar Ridge Angus]

I am looking for a good feed program for replacement heifers and herd bull prospects. Can anyone provide information about a good feed program or someone to contact regarding a feed program around southeastern Ky?

 

[VaCowman]

Do you have a good County Agent? Be a good place to start, IMO. I know you have a darn good Forage Specialist that was formerly at Va Tech! Our loss, KY's gain.

 

[Ebenezer]

Do you want them fat or do you want them functional? It's all about the weight gain per day.

 

[bse]

Call CPC I'd think there pretty close to ya. I feed there developer if I'm hand feedn, 1.5 percent body weight up to 2 on bulls after awhile.
Use grower in creep feeder, happy with both.

 

[Briar Ridge Angus]

Ebenezer I want pounds to sell at the barn with feeders but with my registered cattle that I keep I want them functional. I usually try to sell 2-3 bulls a year that I don't want to melt when they go to work.

 

[Ebenezer]

Ebenezer I want pounds to sell at the barn with feeders but with my registered cattle that I keep I want them functional. I usually try to sell 2-3 bulls a year that I don't want to melt when they go to work.

For functional development, the issue is gain per day. Too much is bad and will lead to fat heifers for less milk and melting bulls as you mentioned. If you have some grazing or hay then a grower supplement can be used and depending on the conditions and the genetics you can monitor the weight gain. Anything less than 1% BW will never be noticed unless the grazing is excellent. Anything over that that accelerates the daily gain over the limits is too much. So there is not one answer. But a 14 to 16% feed would be a target and the price of the feed is the local question. CPC makes a wide range of feeds and are easy to work with here, too. The feeders could get a higher energy feed and do well.

 

[Briar Ridge Angus]

Thank you for the information. I am going to look into some feed options and see what I can come up with.

 

[TennesseeTuxedo]

Ebenezer knows his stuff. Good advice.

 

[Ebenezer]

Ebenezer I want pounds to sell at the barn with feeders but with my registered cattle that I keep I want them functional. I usually try to sell 2-3 bulls a year that I don't want to melt when they go to work.

For functional development, the issue is gain per day. Too much is bad and will lead to fat heifers for less milk and melting bulls as you mentioned. If you have some grazing or hay then a grower supplement can be used and depending on the conditions and the genetics you can monitor the weight gain. Anything less than 1% BW will never be noticed unless the grazing is excellent. Any percentage over that begins to accelerate the daily gain and the stopping point is when the gains go over the set limits (ADG). So there is not one answer. But a 14 to 16% feed would be a target and the price of the feed is the local question. CPC makes a wide range of feeds and are easy to work with here, too. The feeders could get a higher energy feed and do well.

Edited: It did not sound correct or clear.