Qs- soybeans and weight gain?

[milkmaid]

I'm looking for something to feed a group of weaned calves that will put some more weight on 'em and increase that ADG. They're holstein, about 500-525lbs or so. Want 'em at 800 by January. That's a gain of about 300lbs in 110 days. So they need to gain almost 3lbs/day. (Yes, I know I'm asking a lot out of Holsteins! LOL)

I think they've been averaging 2-2.5lbs per day on 7-10lbs of a barley, corn, cottonseed ration but I want more gain. I know I can up their grain, but I'm really looking for something that will put on the most body weight with the least $$$ and the least grain poundage in the least amount of time.

I've been reading through the posts about soybeans and note than some folks use them in a finishing ration, as well as in growing rations.

So looking from some opinions - would soybeans work to give some extra gain? high protein...fat...? I'd be mixing them with the current barley/corn/cottonseed base ration. Would you recommend whole soybeans? soybean meal? or some other variation? Or might there be something else that would put on the pounds even better?

Thanks!

 

[bigbull338]

sobean meal is high in fat . if my memory isnt totally gone.so that would put some weight on them.whole soybeans would do you no good.b/c to use them they would need tobe roasted.so id go soybean meal at 4lbs a day.you can get them to gain 2.5 to 2.8lb a day.but you will be feeding the fire outta them to get 3lbs gain or more a day.hence blowing them an you pocket book out. scott

 

[ChrisB]

You can get 3#/day from holsteins but you will need to give them more grain especially as they get bigger. Corn is cheap right now, I'd go that route.