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Question about feeding calves through the winter
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<blockquote data-quote="Brute 23" data-source="post: 1815172" data-attributes="member: 6291"><p>Thanks for the info. The more info people have the more specific responses you can get. General questions tend to get generic responses that may not be in your best interest. </p><p></p><p>It's hard to go wrong with good hay in that scenario, imo. Calves generally take right to hay and it will probably make up a large portion of their diet initially. The exception would be if you are loaded with beautiful green grass. Even then you may want some to balance them out.</p><p></p><p>Feed is a tough one. [USER=968]@Jeanne - Simme Valley[/USER] has some great recipes for feeding out calves, especially to butcher. Just run some numbers on it before because it can add up $$$. It doesn't hurt to start them off on a sweet beef or weaning mix but again, feeding out of a sack like that can really add up. It works good for teaching them where the feed trough is but it's not really a long term solution. </p><p></p><p>If any one has a bulk feed in your area that would be good. We have cotton around here so cottonseed works, some people have soybeans, etc. </p><p></p><p>Don't forget your salt and mineral from day one. Weaned calves can really get after it but it's very important. I have a friend who does feed consulting and he says when he gets a call to go out and see no salt it's money in the bank. He knows he will get get gains just off that one simple thing. </p><p></p><p>If you have grass cooked molasses tubs can be an option too. Calves generally take right to them and it will help with getting grass or hay eaten and will for sure get some minerals in them. They have some protein and what not also. </p><p></p><p>This was not part of your original question but my advice is don't worry about breeds. Only people on the enet or other people with that breed care about breeds. Go for a quality animal that does their job and that you like.... regardless of the breed. When you make it to the auction barn you will see quite the assortment of cattle and don't be surprised if you never hear a breed mentioned. </p><p></p><p>That's my .02. Hopefully you get some better info on feeding calves. I'm kind of an eye ball and wing it person so it hard to explain it to others.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Brute 23, post: 1815172, member: 6291"] Thanks for the info. The more info people have the more specific responses you can get. General questions tend to get generic responses that may not be in your best interest. It's hard to go wrong with good hay in that scenario, imo. Calves generally take right to hay and it will probably make up a large portion of their diet initially. The exception would be if you are loaded with beautiful green grass. Even then you may want some to balance them out. Feed is a tough one. [USER=968]@Jeanne - Simme Valley[/USER] has some great recipes for feeding out calves, especially to butcher. Just run some numbers on it before because it can add up $$$. It doesn't hurt to start them off on a sweet beef or weaning mix but again, feeding out of a sack like that can really add up. It works good for teaching them where the feed trough is but it's not really a long term solution. If any one has a bulk feed in your area that would be good. We have cotton around here so cottonseed works, some people have soybeans, etc. Don't forget your salt and mineral from day one. Weaned calves can really get after it but it's very important. I have a friend who does feed consulting and he says when he gets a call to go out and see no salt it's money in the bank. He knows he will get get gains just off that one simple thing. If you have grass cooked molasses tubs can be an option too. Calves generally take right to them and it will help with getting grass or hay eaten and will for sure get some minerals in them. They have some protein and what not also. This was not part of your original question but my advice is don't worry about breeds. Only people on the enet or other people with that breed care about breeds. Go for a quality animal that does their job and that you like.... regardless of the breed. When you make it to the auction barn you will see quite the assortment of cattle and don't be surprised if you never hear a breed mentioned. That's my .02. Hopefully you get some better info on feeding calves. I'm kind of an eye ball and wing it person so it hard to explain it to others. [/QUOTE]
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