New feed

[Tomcolvin]

I Finally got some new Creep fred from a new source. Tractor supply never had the same thing or any more than 2-4 bags of they had any. I went by this new feed store and liked this label so I bought 4 bags to try . I mix in a half bag of Sweet 11. (sweet feed) to entice them to eat. The new feed is 17% and I like the combination of the feed. Are label and give me your honest opinion. Thanks

 

[Tomcolvin]

I Finally got some new Creep fred from a new source. Tractor supply never had the same thing or any more than 2-4 bags of they had any. I went by this new feed store and liked this label so I bought 4 bags to try . I mix in a half bag of Sweet 11. (sweet feed) to entice them to eat. The new feed is 17% and I like the combination of the feed. Are label and give me your honest opinion. Thanks

 

[Tomcolvin]

I can’t read the labels either. I’ll try to get better pics

 

[Tomcolvin]

Maybe better pic

 

[mwj]

At least it uses actual feed ingredients which is a big plus. When the list shows products of and byproducts it is a complete guess. I do not see anything to cause any concern.

 

[Tomcolvin]

At least it uses actual feed ingredients which is a big plus. When the list shows products of and byproducts it is a complete guess. I do not see anything to cause any concern.

Thanks for the reply. I just want to give them the jest that I can afford and this looked pretty decent to me and they )I think) will keep it in stock, do you think I should still mix in a half bag of 11 percent to entice them to eat or just feed straight 16% feed? This new feed is right around $14.50 a bag and the sweet 11 is about $12.50. I might could just put in a quarter of the sweet 11 in the mix?

 

[kenny thomas]

Thanks for the reply. I just want to give them the jest that I can afford and this looked pretty decent to me and they )I think) will keep it in stock, do you think I should still mix in a half bag of 11 percent to entice them to eat or just feed straight 16% feed? This new feed is right around $14.50 a bag and the sweet 11 is about $12.50. I might could just put in a quarter of the sweet 11 in the mix?

Am I understanding that you are giving $580 a ton for feed? Surely there is a custom blend close by way cheaper. I gave $280 a ton this past winter and that included added molasses.
Edited the price.

 

[NIdahoShorthorns]

Am I understanding that you are giving $1160 a ton for feed? Surely there is a custom blend close by way cheaper. I gave $280 a ton this past winter and that included added molasses.

14.50 is $580 a ton. If it's 50lb bags.

 

[Bum Steer]

Maybe better pic

Your post asks for an honest opinon, so here we go!!

I like the 16% Calf Creep Feed. This is the one I would trust to feed to my developing calves. List of ingredients states no wheat or barley. Greatly reduces the chances for digestive upsets / bloats. Wheat midds, (we called them shorts in Ontario, mill run out here in the west), and soyhulls are good quality and safe by-product ingredients that the calf can consume free choice, contribute fibre, (remember, these are ruminants) and are also an energy source, (as compared to other fibres that contribute very little to zero energy). Fibre on the tag says 10%. I would expect it to be higher but we only know that the midds and soyhulls are in there. Not how much. Go easy on the manufacturer. They are trying to make a good product AND remain competitive!

All the ingredients listed between “Vit B-12 and biotin are B complex vitamins which need to be supplemented to a calf’s diet as only a fully developed rumen will produce enough B vitamins for the animal. However, this feed is intended for a calf who won’t have a fully functioning rumen until around 3-400lbs. Good to supplement but adds costs.

Chelated or complexed copper zinc and manganese are also ingredients listed in this feed. Lots of benefit (and additional cost) over other copper zinc and manganese sources but that’s another long winded story for another day.

This is a premium feed and expect the cost to reflect that. Using this product will depend on your objectives.

I suggest you do not “cut it” with sweet feed. You dilute the nutrients of the feed.

Is this feed pelleted or textured?

 

[kenny thomas]

14.50 is $580 a ton. If it's 50lb bags.

Yes you are correct.

 

[Tomcolvin]

Your post asks for an honest opinon, so here we go!!

I like the 16% Calf Creep Feed. This is the one I would trust to feed to my developing calves. List of ingredients states no wheat or barley. Greatly reduces the chances for digestive upsets / bloats. Wheat midds, (we called them shorts in Ontario, mill run out here in the west), and soyhulls are good quality and safe by-product ingredients that the calf can consume free choice, contribute fibre, (remember, these are ruminants) and are also an energy source, (as compared to other fibres that contribute very little to zero energy). Fibre on the tag says 10%. I would expect it to be higher but we only know that the midds and soyhulls are in there. Not how much. Go easy on the manufacturer. They are trying to make a good product AND remain competitive!

All the ingredients listed between “Vit B-12 and biotin are B complex vitamins which need to be supplemented to a calf’s diet as only a fully developed rumen will produce enough B vitamins for the animal. However, this feed is intended for a calf who won’t have a fully functioning rumen until around 3-400lbs. Good to supplement but adds costs.

Chelated or complexed copper zinc and manganese are also ingredients listed in this feed. Lots of benefit (and additional cost) over other copper zinc and manganese sources but that’s another long winded story for another day.

This is a premium feed and expect the cost to reflect that. Using this product will depend on your objectives.

I suggest you do not “cut it” with sweet feed. You dilute the nutrients of the feed.

Is this feed pelleted or textured?

I guess textured, as it’s not pellets. It’s more like cracked or crushed looking. Really it resembles the sweet 11 feed, I was using the sweet feed because the 13-14% (diffeny Everytime I went to pick up) was pellets and the calves were picky to eat, with the sweet feed they will clean it up. Also in my mix I add 1/2 Qt of loose mineral and a gallon of cotton seed to bind the mineral from being so loose. I have debated recently to remove the cotton seed because the young calves don’t need it in their stomachs, I did this because the feed from tractor was pellets and the mineral wouldn’t bind to the pellets. This new feed it will so I’m leaving off the cotton seed, I found another mill 85-90 miles that I can by bulk, I’m planning on going to see what I have to do to move it here. In the mean time I have what I have. Always looking for better at a decent cost, I’ll try tomorrow to get a picture of the new feed texture and post it to this thread.

 

[Tomcolvin]

I guess textured, as it’s not pellets. It’s more like cracked or crushed looking. Really it resembles the sweet 11 feed, I was using the sweet feed because the 13-14% (diffeny Everytime I went to pick up) was pellets and the calves were picky to eat, with the sweet feed they will clean it up. Also in my mix I add 1/2 Qt of loose mineral and a gallon of cotton seed to bind the mineral from being so loose. I have debated recently to removes the cotton seed because the young calves don’t need it in their stomachs, I did this because the feed from tractor was pellets and the mineral wouldn’t bind to the pellets. This new feed it will so I’m leaving off the cotton seed, I found another mill 85-90 miles that I can by bulk, I’m planning on going to see what I have to do to move it here. In the mean time I have what I have. Always looking for better at a decent cost, I’ll try tomorrow to get a picture of the new feed texture and post it to this thread.

Here is a pic of the feed. When I run out of the mix I’ll just use straight 16% feed. I also will be trying to find the mill that makes it and try to buy bulk. Problem is I’m so small thru may mot want to deal with me.

 

[kenny thomas]

Here is a pic of the feed. When I run out of the mix I’ll just use straight 16% feed. I also will be trying to find the mill that makes it and try to buy bulk. Problem is I’m so small thru may mot want to deal with me.

The mill here will sell you 1 bag or deliver anything over 3 ton. Check around.

 

[Brute 23]

I guess textured, as it’s not pellets. It’s more like cracked or crushed looking. Really it resembles the sweet 11 feed, I was using the sweet feed because the 13-14% (diffeny Everytime I went to pick up) was pellets and the calves were picky to eat, with the sweet feed they will clean it up. Also in my mix I add 1/2 Qt of loose mineral and a gallon of cotton seed to bind the mineral from being so loose. I have debated recently to remove the cotton seed because the young calves don’t need it in their stomachs, I did this because the feed from tractor was pellets and the mineral wouldn’t bind to the pellets. This new feed it will so I’m leaving off the cotton seed, I found another mill 85-90 miles that I can by bulk, I’m planning on going to see what I have to do to move it here. In the mean time I have what I have. Always looking for better at a decent cost, I’ll try tomorrow to get a picture of the new feed texture and post it to this thread.

What are you trying to do? Creep feed calves on cows? How old are the calves?

Our calves eat cottonseed just like the cows. They tend to take to it as they get older. I would not mix it with sweet beef as they may be eating it unintentionally, before they are ready. Google says they can eat it at about 4 months and thats probably about right when I see them go to it.

If they are old enough to eat it I would ditch the bag feeds and go with the cottonseed.

 

[Tomcolvin]

What are you trying to do? Creep feed calves on cows? How old are the calves?

Our calves eat cottonseed just like the cows. They tend to take to it as they get older. I would not mix it with sweet beef as they may be eating it unintentionally, before they are ready. Google says they can eat it at about 4 months and thats probably about right when I see them go to it.

If they are old enough to eat it I would ditch the bag feeds and go with the cottonseed.

The calves range from 3 months to 5 months. I am fixing to move thev5 months to a smaller pasture and they will get cotton seed until I take to sale. About 7-8 months old.

 

[Dave]

The calves range from 3 months to 5 months. I am fixing to move thev5 months to a smaller pasture and they will get cotton seed until I take to sale. About 7-8 months old.

So are you pulling them off the cows?

 

[Tomcolvin]

I’ll be pulling off the 5 month olds and moving them to new pastures.for a couple of months or more.

 

[Travlr]

I’ll be pulling off the 5 month olds and moving them to new pastures.for a couple of months or more.

WHY?

Most people I know with financially successful cattle operations wean at 7 months. (205 days, average)

 

[Dave]

WHY?

Most people I know with financially successful cattle operations wean at 7 months. (205 days, average)

Welfare cows?