I have a few head of cattle and they are mixed cows and heifers. I am feeding alfalfa/grass hay now and they are indecent shape. But I would like to also feed like to feed some grain after they give birth for a couple of reasons. 1- to help the heifers continue to grow 2nd to help the cows and heifers to bounce back a little quicker to rebreed. I live in northwest ohio. So what ration should I have mixed in your opinion?
recommendation for ration
- Thread starter BryanM
- Start date
sim.-ang.king
Well-known member
I feed a mix of 400 pounds (65% of mix) corn, 200 pounds (32% of mix) SBM, and 12 pounds (1.9% of mix) of high Calcium mineral, (plus they have free choice mineral already). Cost about $260-$280 a ton. I feed 4.5 pounds per head, but you might not need to feed that much with Alfalfa. Having the energy boost from the corn will help a lot too in those cold winter's nights, or those wet damp days. They need to be warmed up to it just like any corn feed.
(this is totally my opinion, and my ration, not liable for miss use, or loss)
(this is totally my opinion, and my ration, not liable for miss use, or loss)
TexasBred
Well-known member
No reason it wouldn't work. Comes out to about a 20% ration with worlds of energy. You could cut the protein back and increase the energy and lower your cost some but at 4 lbs. per day it certainly won't hurt them.sim.-ang.king":3ks8cpqs said:
Merry x-mas!!!
Well a couple days ago I called my neighbor who works at the coop and had him mix me what feed I wanted, or at least his recommendation which was 1700 corn 38% dairy and had it bagged.
Now I trust my neighbor and have seen his cattle and he definitely knows feed, basicly a great guy always willing to help.
I have a month to go before we start calving, and am wondering if I should stop grain altogether or reduce or keep as I am now. As of now I am feeding only 2-3 lbs a head of grain a day and hay which is alfalfa. (never had it tested but my feed guy says its good almost to good to give to cows). I would say my cows are probably a strong 6 body score, and don't want to have calving issues caused by me. the bulls that I have chosen are calving ease bulls for the most part but have 2 cows that the bull is okay calving ease why, but they have handled big calves in the past with no help. That being said I don't want to shoot my self in the foot by giving to much grain, which I would think 2lbs a head only wouldn't do much for them!
Well a couple days ago I called my neighbor who works at the coop and had him mix me what feed I wanted, or at least his recommendation which was 1700 corn 38% dairy and had it bagged.
Now I trust my neighbor and have seen his cattle and he definitely knows feed, basicly a great guy always willing to help.
I have a month to go before we start calving, and am wondering if I should stop grain altogether or reduce or keep as I am now. As of now I am feeding only 2-3 lbs a head of grain a day and hay which is alfalfa. (never had it tested but my feed guy says its good almost to good to give to cows). I would say my cows are probably a strong 6 body score, and don't want to have calving issues caused by me. the bulls that I have chosen are calving ease bulls for the most part but have 2 cows that the bull is okay calving ease why, but they have handled big calves in the past with no help. That being said I don't want to shoot my self in the foot by giving to much grain, which I would think 2lbs a head only wouldn't do much for them!
TexasBred
Well-known member
Your original post said you didn't plan to feed until AFTER they calved. I'd stick with that. The alfalfa should be more than enough for now.
