TXBobcat":3knzp4hf said:
PLR":3knzp4hf said:
despite all my efforts my steer refused all grains.
Forgot to ask, but do you raise longhorns (noticed your avatar)? Also, how were you trying to feed out the steer (penned up, call it up out of pasture for feeding, etc.) Also, what types of feed did you try and how old was the calf when you started offering it grain?
I currently am building a herd of Register Highlands but also have A Longhorn, Hereford X, Black Baldy, Jersey and crosses of the above breeds. I attempted starting him on a COB mix in Mar/Apr and he ate it for a day or two but then quit and hasn't touched it since. I was feeding about 2 pounds morning and night. The steer was born last June 26 and was weaned several months before I started him on grain. He now weighs in at over 1000 pounds at 13 1/2 months old, fed only with some alf/grass hay and he has been on Open range since April. I have tried drizzeling molasses on his grain and it doesn't make a difference. He will put his nose in it, not even tasting it and will lie down and look bored. I figured I would take him to the fair anyway because he will definately be over the 1000 pound minimum weight limit even with shrink by September 9. He was confined to the barn pasture, which here in Okanogan, WA grows nothing when the cows spend all winter there.
The steer is the best you could look for in a steer he is square, beefy, well muscled, and would have finished beautifully if he had ate his grain. His mother and Uncle are the same way Square, Beefy and Beautiful. He is a mix of Hereford, Shorthorn, Angus and just about anything else you can think of.
My avatar is the breed I would like to own Just one cow of, the Watusi/Ankole.
Shelby