Other then those that were heifers this past calving season, they really don't need all that high of protein. Energy they need. Corn and corn gluten are totally different deals. Corn is starch and if fed too heavily will screw up the rumen microbes required to process forage. CG is considered a by-pass protein is is processed in the colon rather then the rumen. It won;t screw up the forage bugs. Now the fun part. There is no cut and dried method of feeding or feeds for that matter that will work for everyone. It kind of gets to be a "eye of the herdsman" type of thing. When feeding hay, if you use round bale feeders, bunks, whatever, you will need around 3 times as many holes as you have cows. That allows the timid eaters to still get their share. The bossy types can't gaurd all the holes. If using round bale feed rings, several of them well sperated fromeach other will do the job, but you still need more holes then cows. We feed various hays throughout the winter. Some fescue, some orchard grass, some wheat, some a mixture of misc. grasses. Most have at least some clover. The ladies get about 1/2 - 1 lb of 13% grain a day. Most days anyway. It doesn;t do much, but it gets them all in one spot where we can look them over and see if there are any problems or concerns. When the hay is running in the 6-7% protein bracket, we'll up that to maybe 2 lbs a day, or feed straight corn gluten at about 1 pound a day. Some animals have a palatability problem with corn gluten. We have several that if it's more then 1/2 CG they wont touch it. More of the "eye of the herdsman" thing. You want them gaining throughout the winter, but not getting fat.
dun
> I would like to hear some new
> thoughts on feeding my 50 beef
> cows over winter. I have been
> feeding hay for last 2 years, and
> I have not been pleased with the
> quality I have purchased. I have
> used a little corn, but dont know
> how to control it. When I feed in
> bunks larger healthy cows get more
> than small cows. I supplement with
> Pro lix and salt and mag blocks.
> How many lbs of corn do I give
> each cow? Is it different for corn
> gluten? I am feeding for 150 days,
> and am looking to do things right
> and save money. This is a new farm
> to me, and I am looking foward to
> cutting my own hay. I am in Ky.