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Need Pointers On Finishing A Steer
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<blockquote data-quote="Anonymous" data-source="post: 13039"><p>It is true that cracked, ground or any processed grain is more digested than is whole grain but whole corn is still fairly digested. Yes you will see whole kernels appearing in the feces But if you look closely at those kernels,(bust one open) the majority of the starch is gone. Most of those kernels won't sprout if given the oppurtunity indicating that digestion has occured. Likewise it is less likely that you will have bouts of digestive upsets with whole corn as opposed to processed corn. The big question is whether it is cost effective to further process the grain? In my area it becomes questionable as to whether the increase you get in digestibility from processing (cracking, grinding, steaming) is worth the extra cost of processing (time involved and actual cost). Your comercial feed should work fine as long as it meets the animals requirements. Depending on how much total grain your steer will be getting (from both the cracked corn and in the pellet) addition of a little hay (about 3-5 lbs=about 1 flake from small bales)is probably a good idea. depending on what you are paying for your alfalfa, grass hay will work just as well. If you are leaving the steer on pasture and are just feeding him the pellets and grain in a bunk, then you dont need to add the hay. One thing to remember with starting any ruminant on grain is to start them slow and work them up to the full amount you are going to feed. we typically will start them out with the grain mix at about 1% of their body weight with ad lib forage and increase the grain by about 1.5 lbs per head every three days. each time you bump them slowly pull forage from them untill they are on eating only enough roughage to keep down digestive upsets. For ore info. on diets that work well finishing steers or other pointers contact your local Area livestock specialist or County extension agent. If these folks can't help or have the answers they can put you in contact with a beef extensionist at your state college or university. It is my experience that these folks are a big help and enjoy doing it. Good luck <br></p><p><br></p><p><br><hr size=4 width=75%><p></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Anonymous, post: 13039"] It is true that cracked, ground or any processed grain is more digested than is whole grain but whole corn is still fairly digested. Yes you will see whole kernels appearing in the feces But if you look closely at those kernels,(bust one open) the majority of the starch is gone. Most of those kernels won't sprout if given the oppurtunity indicating that digestion has occured. Likewise it is less likely that you will have bouts of digestive upsets with whole corn as opposed to processed corn. The big question is whether it is cost effective to further process the grain? In my area it becomes questionable as to whether the increase you get in digestibility from processing (cracking, grinding, steaming) is worth the extra cost of processing (time involved and actual cost). Your comercial feed should work fine as long as it meets the animals requirements. Depending on how much total grain your steer will be getting (from both the cracked corn and in the pellet) addition of a little hay (about 3-5 lbs=about 1 flake from small bales)is probably a good idea. depending on what you are paying for your alfalfa, grass hay will work just as well. If you are leaving the steer on pasture and are just feeding him the pellets and grain in a bunk, then you dont need to add the hay. One thing to remember with starting any ruminant on grain is to start them slow and work them up to the full amount you are going to feed. we typically will start them out with the grain mix at about 1% of their body weight with ad lib forage and increase the grain by about 1.5 lbs per head every three days. each time you bump them slowly pull forage from them untill they are on eating only enough roughage to keep down digestive upsets. For ore info. on diets that work well finishing steers or other pointers contact your local Area livestock specialist or County extension agent. If these folks can't help or have the answers they can put you in contact with a beef extensionist at your state college or university. It is my experience that these folks are a big help and enjoy doing it. Good luck <br> <br> <br><hr size=4 width=75%><p> [/QUOTE]
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