Newbie, when to switch from calf grower

[Tater110]

First time cattle owner and I have two Holstein/ Hertford cross I purchased for freezer beef for ourselves and family and friends. One steer, one heifer. They currently are about 6 months old now and weight about 300 pounds give or take ( I don't have a scale). I've had them on fresh hay and calf grower that's 16% protein from my local feed mill. At what point should I transition them to a corn based grain? Do I feed calf grower until about 60 days before they're finished or is there a better grain that won't break the bank too much? Like I said this is my first time so be gentle. Thanks much

 

[mwj]

You can start blending in WSC with the grower to lower your cost. Start with 10% WSC and work the amount up gradually over time. As there weight increases there protein need decreases. By the end of your feeding period they will be on mostly corn.

Have fun learning and enjoy some very good eating as a bonus!

 

[Tater110]

I appreciate that and will take your suggestions.

 

[TexasJerseyMilker]

What is WSC?

 

[mwj]

Whole shelled corn as it always is.

 

[M.Magis]

Whole shelled corn.
At 6 months/300 lbs they still need a higher protien for a while while they're still growing frame. But they're probably a good size to switch off the calf grower to something cheaper and better suited to their needs. Your local feed store likely has a good bagged feed made specifically for their age, they're usually more than happy to help pinpoint what would work best . I feed 14% feed until a year or so, then switch to 12% and also start mixing in corn a pound or two per week until I get to where their feed is at least 50% corn. I use cracked, but we're only feeding a couple at a time and its easier for me to mix evenly be hand.

 

[Tater110]

Another newbie question is about vaccines. I gave these two a 7-way and I wormed them. That's all I've done so far and all I'm planning on doing unless I'm missing something? Like I said it's not a feed lot and they're in the pasture with two horses but that's it. Horses get wormed every year and that's I'll I've done with them.

 

[TexasJerseyMilker]

How tall is your grass?

 

[Tater110]

Current the grass is only about 2-3 inches, but I try to rotate them in and out once a section gets to be 4-5.