Need Feed Decoder Ring for newbee

[txfishing]

Okay fellas here is my newbee question of the week.
I have 2 yearling and 2 five month old cross heifers. They all have plenty of bahia grass to eat plus free choice mineral/salt block.

When I go to purchase feed to suppliment my 4 hiefers I go into a daze when trying to decipher what is important to me on the feed label. Here are the usual ingredients I find:

1. Crude Protien
2. Crude Fat
3. Crude Fiber
4. Calcium
5. Phosphorus
6. salt
7. Potassum
8. Vitamin A

Now I know all the ingedients have some importance to them or they wouldn't have been included. However, what I would like to know is which one should be considered most important when comparing different brands of feed for a wannabe beef rancher like me.

Thanks!

 

[jerry27150]

i would just let all of those grow on grass.

protein-growing heifer needs around 13% in her total ration, your grass should provide this at this time of year
fat- most grasses are 2-3%, grain is higher most use tdn instead
fiber- roughage, enough to make rumen work. plenty in grass
calcium-around 15 grams a day
phos- same as calcium
mineral mix free choice should take care of the last 5
tdn- should be between 65-70% not sure about bahia, but should be close

 

[jkwilson]

If you are just giving them a few pounds a day, it doesn't make much difference. Just give them a scoop or so of beef finisher. If you want to put them on a heavier feed ration, just ask for a heifer grower or heifer developer ration. Typically, higher fiber means lower energy, and that is important for heifers. You don't want to fatten them like a steer, just give them the protein they need to grow.

As Jerry said, good grass and a mineral supplement is all a heifer needs. Loose minerals are better than the blocks, but needs to be protected from the weather. As a small operator, calling them in for feed regularly will make it much easier to catch them when needed.