Heifer feed

[Wild Bug Ranch]

I have a breeding show heifer feed question!

I have a heifer, she is a May We All Dec 2023 born

She's currently on Purina Full Range but plan to switch her due to that not being available at my feed store anymore

I was researching and told feeds...pros and cons, your info, your experience etc!

I was told either Rival Bold, Base, Show rite Crusier, Purina Fitters edge… This is all the feed that I have available and able to get easy and fast!

Purina is pretty hard to get at feed stores and it takes about 2-3 months to get as its becoming less common in my area...associated, show-rite, and Rival show feeds is what I can get easy and fresh!

Should i be feeding 2 or 3% of her body weight?

What's better, pros cons etc. Want to get her to her full potential as she has TONS of it.

Any help would be appreciated!!

Thank you all

 

[Warren Allison]

I have a breeding show heifer feed question!

I have a heifer, she is a May We All Dec 2023 born

She's currently on Purina Full Range but plan to switch her due to that not being available at my feed store anymore

I was researching and told feeds...pros and cons, your info, your experience etc!

I was told either Rival Bold, Base, Show rite Crusier, Purina Fitters edge… This is all the feed that I have available and able to get easy and fast!

Purina is pretty hard to get at feed stores and it takes about 2-3 months to get as its becoming less common in my area...associated, show-rite, and Rival show feeds is what I can get easy and fresh!

Should i be feeding 2 or 3% of her body weight?

What's better, pros cons etc. Want to get her to her full potential as she has TONS of it.

Any help would be appreciated!!

Thank you all

1st thing you need to do to get answers from people on here, is to go back into your profile and add your location.

 

[Wild Bug Ranch]

1st thing you need to do to get answers form people on here, is to go back into your profile and add your location.

location for feed pro and cons?

 

[Wild Bug Ranch]

1st thing you need to do to get answers from people on here, is to go back into your profile and add your location.

and i have my state in there

 

[Wild Bug Ranch]

I have a breeding show heifer feed question!

I have a heifer, she is a May We All Dec 2023 born

She's currently on Purina Full Range but plan to switch her due to that not being available at my feed store anymore

I was researching and told feeds...pros and cons, your info, your experience etc!

I was told either Rival Bold, Base, Show rite Crusier, Purina Fitters edge… This is all the feed that I have available and able to get easy and fast!

Purina is pretty hard to get at feed stores and it takes about 2-3 months to get as its becoming less common in my area...associated, show-rite, and Rival show feeds is what I can get easy and fresh!

Should i be feeding 2 or 3% of her body weight?

What's better, pros cons etc. Want to get her to her full potential as she has TONS of it.

Any help would be appreciated!!

Thank you all

feeds i can get:

my feed store can special order show-rite HF has 11% protein, 2% fat, and 19% fiber

they can special order the rival base - 13.1% protein 12.4% fiber

they have purina fitters edge - 14% protein 15% fiber

special order purina finishing touch - 13% protein 15% fiber

special order show rite cruiser - 13% protein 12% fiber

that's the options i have. special orders will take about 2 weeks to 3 months to get to the feed store but im willing to wait if the feed is good and has a good outcome

 

[GoWyo]

They all seem to have a similar label, so go with what you can keep in stock. Actually ask @Jeanne - Simme Valley about feed for an older heifer. She knows how to condition them for shows.

 

[Travlr]

location for feed pro and cons?

For weather conditions, water availability, types of forage, and all kinds of other things. And California is a state with a lot of variety because it is so long north and south, and west coastal and east mountainous. If you put NW or SE or whatever, it would help us know what you are working with.

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

Yes, I do feed "show heifers". But, I'm not on the bag feed regimen. All bag feed is a bunch of "stuff" held together with molasses. Once you start your animal on sweet feed, it is VERY difficult to get them off it.
The most important thing is DO NOT GET HER FAT. I feed whole shell corn as the base. A yearling will get equal corn and whole oats mix. To that, I will add cotton seed (I would use WHOLE cotton seed if I could get it - absolutely the best filler and the oils are great for hair & skin). She only needs about a 12% protein ration. You want to keep her growing with tons of volume - so she needs lots of HAY. Good quality GRASS HAY. Free choice.
I would be only feeding about 3# in am & 3# in pm of corn/oats + cotton seed.
This is not what "show people" want to hear. Genetics are your #1 to win.

 

[Travlr]

Genetics are your #1 to win.

And that applies to every category of product that we produce. Breeding bulls, breeding heifers, steers or cull cows... Compared to genetics, feed is expensive gain...

 

[StrojanHerefords]

Good high test grass hay isn't readily available in California. High Alfalfa and almond hulls would be your best bet for heifers.

 

[Warren Allison]

and i have my state in there

Thanks for that. You might want to narrow it down some, though. Big difference in terrain, climate, etc, between Crescent City and Blythe.

 

[Stonewall Joe]

Good high test grass hay isn't readily available in California. High Alfalfa and almond hulls would be your best bet for heifers.

we have to wait for Christmas time to get almond hulls in Louisiana and then it's only a little bag full