Need some folks to help me think...

[milkmaid]

:P :lol: I need to put some extra heads to work on this problem. Just need some advice. It's the cattle management game; pretend you've been put in charge of an operation and you have to make some changes. You've just lost your cheap grain source and you're trying to decide what to change and where.

Soooo... you have 3 groups of calves, a limited amount of grain, some good quality 3rd crop alfalfa (and also some 1st cutting lower quality grass/alfalfa that can be fed).

Group 1:
Holstein/Angus cross black steers, 500lbs. Not weaned yet, been running a 2.5 ADG. Plan is to finish them out and slaughter - ideally between July and October; estimated slaughter weight is 1300lbs. They have not been receiving grain.

Group 2:
16 month old holstein heifers, about 900lbs, 3 months bred. Will be sold as springers in May. They must be at least 1200lbs by sale date, 1300lbs would be better. They were just brought back home, haven't had grain in ~4 months; been running on pasture with the bull. They're a little stunted now (they were 800lb yearlings).

Group 3:
10 month old holstein heifers averaging 738lbs with a 2.16 ADG. Plan is to sell them as springers, same as group 2. Original plan had them being bred as yearlings in February/March, sold in November/December as springers. The plan could be changed slightly; ie., this group could be split, with some going on a maintance, low-growth ration, some continuing to receive grain so that they stay on schedule. It would be better not to make the whole group wait until May to be bred, as it is cheaper not to take the entire group through another winter ('07-'08.). This group has been getting ~4.5lbs/hd/day in grain for the last 6 months (at one point that was 2% of their body weight! :lol:).

Which groups would you give grain to? which ones don't need it? what plans would you change? I know you folks wouldn't run holsteins to start with, but just for a moment, pretend you are running this operation and you're making some changes. :P It's the cattle management game; you're in charge. ;-) The groups can be mixed and matched too, BTW; changing 3 groups into 2 groups would be ideal. What gets changed and why?

 

[Little Cow]

Okay, I'll play:

Spring:

Feed group 2 the grain first because they are behind and they have to make weight first.

Feed group 3, (10 month olds), the alfalfa, depending on how far along they are. Send open heifers over to group 1.

Feed group 1 the grass hay, for now, because they have their growing needs but can catch up quickly come summer because their nutritional demands aren't changing as fast as the bred heifers.

Summer:

Sell group 2 when they make weight and then give the grain to the steers in group 1 so they will be nice for the freezer.

Keep group 3 on alfalfa through the summer as their sell date isn't until late fall, if they need it, (pasture is probably good now).

Fall:

When group 1 goes to slaughter, give the grain to group 3 so they will make weight in Nov.

 

[backhoeboogie]

Group 2 and group 3 are your most valuable asset. They are going to fetch more nickels come sale day.

 

[mnmtranching]

milkmaid, even though you lost your cheap source of grain. How much grain do you plan on feeding? To get the Angus cross steers to the desired weight you will need to put on 3plus pounds per day. Not hard to do, but I would say they will need 10-12 pounds 15% grain with all the good quality hay they want. More grain would get them there faster but I know its expensive.

Group 2, Sounds like these heifers at 16 months have got frame but short on flesh. Putting pounds on these heifers should go pretty easy, you only need 2 lbs gain per day. Give them about 4,5 pounds of 15% and full good quality hay.

Group 3, As long as you don't have a set date to sell these, why not use your best hay? Feed them all they can eat, with a lick tub. Use the grain to put pounds on groups 1 and 2. Still breed them as planned and let them grow on pasture next Summer. How's that sound?

mnmt

 

[msscamp]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but if it were me I would see if I could find a source of beet pulp in the area, grind the hay and mix it with the pulp. Beet pulp would add fiber, stretch the hay a little, encourage the calves to eat more, and help them convert the feed better. Just a suggestion.

 

[MillIronQH]

Did the Prof say you COULDN'T split feeds?

Group 1... enough of the grass hay to maintain 2lb ADG

Groups 2-3 split the grain 70-30. The 70% going to Group 2. Split the alfalfa 40-60 with the good stuff going to Group 2

You've got 150 days on G-2. That's 2-2.5 ADG. Move the breeding date on G-3 up to produce Feb-Mar calves. You only need 160 lbs. to bring them to a decent breeding weight. That's 1.5 ADG for 120 days.

When you ship G-2 drop the hammer on G-1. In the mean time any grass hay you don't need to maintain 2 ADG give to G-2 & 3. Remember you should have grass coming by April.

It doesn't matter what you say the Prof is going to pick it to pieces. At least make him stop and think about it for a second.Z

 

[milkmaid]

Yep you can split feeds.

Grain is steam rolled corn, BTW. Think I forgot to mention that the first time.

Heifers in group 3 can be bred at 850lbs of weight, so long as they maintain a 1.8lb ADG afterwards to get them to ~1350lbs at calving.

Thanks for the responses, keep 'em coming! :D

 

[Susie David]

Hi MM...thought that I's throw in my two bits worth...
Group 1...IMO not be ready for July slaughter maybe Oct no matter what you feed them unless you want really fat small steers. Weaning will cost a few pounds for a few weeks, I'd keep them on free choice alfalfa grass...May will bring pasture and they will really pack on the growth then, you can grain finish by supplimenting the last 100 days.
Group 2 will need the extra groceries in three months when they enter the third trimester, right now I'd feed the third cut in modration and have the alfalfa/grass available for free choice but after getting the good groceries they probably will ingnoe the grass hay.
I'd keep group 3 on a maintenance ration as they sound well conditioned.
I believe that the amount of protein is directly porportional to the gain and the third cut should have plenty and should be used as a growth ration with a grain suppliment. Remember that a real cold spell will cause the animals to start using body reserves to maintain temperature so we incresae the cracked corn ration to compensate.
And that's my two bits worth. Dave Mc

 

[milkmaid]

Thanks for the suggestions, y'all! :D There's some good ideas there.

I'll share with you what I'd come up with, and you can pick it apart. :P

Move G2 in with G3 (now called pen 1), then move the smaller calves in G3 in with G1 (now called pen 2), effectively creating 2 pens of similar-sized calves. Then, feed alfalfa and grass hay to the first pen in a 80/20 ratio. Pen 1 has the most important animals in it, and gets fed about 70% of the grain. Breed the open heifers as they are ready. Pen 2 is not quite as important at the moment, and gets enough alfalfa hay to maintain growth with some grass hay as filler. They get just enough grain to keep them looking good; about 30% of the grain available. Open heifers in pen 2 will get bred later, perhaps May.

Once summer comes, the calves can all go out together on pasture and grain can cease. The original G2 will be shipped in May as springers, and the original G1 can go on a finishing ration when they reach 800lbs -- which, if G1 keeps a 2lb ADG, that would be May/June, and then slaughter when they're ready. Original G3 will be sold as springers as they reach that stage.

Comments?