supplement feed q's & reducing cost

[7lazy77]

My cows are on pasture & I currently supplement bulk crack corn & mix in a sweet mix from the feed store. I am looking at ways to cut prices by getting rid of the $8/40# bag sweet mix & want to find something else to replace it with (to mix in with the crack corn) that is cheaper. My cattle are rodeo-bred, so I also use this mix to coax them into the corral when I need to get them caught! Any help is appreciated. :cowboy:

 

[TexasBred]

Since you're using bulk corn I assume you have a commodity barn or feed tanks to hold full truck loads. Not any real bargains out there these days but corn gluten feed is about as good as anything. Depending on where you're located you could get some for $230=$240 a ton bulk. This won't be a lot higher than corn and would be much cheaper than buying sweet feed by the bag. Mix 2 parts corn to 1 part CGF and you'll have about a 14%+ mix.

 

[7lazy77]

My part of the country doesn't have any CGF. I found a local feedlot that carries DDG though. Would I still mix 2 parts corn w/ 1 part DDG? Any other pros/cons of feeding DDG?

 

[somn]

My part of the country doesn't have any CGF. I found a local feedlot that carries DDG though. Would I still mix 2 parts corn w/ 1 part DDG? Any other pros/cons of feeding DDG?

Yes you can your protein and fat levels will be higher with DDGS. You need to see if they are selling DDG or DDGS. DDGS will change phosphorus levels in the manure. Phosphorus levels in manure can be a limiting factor to the amount of manure you can apply per acre. Here we have that problem. We have to apply N in addition to cattle manure.

 

[7lazy77]

Just was curious, can I also feed DDG (that is mixed with cracked corn) to horses as well?? They are older horses that I would like to keep some weight on in the winter. Would I just cut back on the amount I feed as opposed to cattle? Thanks

 

[somn]

I'm not gonna say it is good or bad to feed it to horses. I'm not a horse person. Sorry I can't help you on this.

 

[TexasBred]

Yes you can feed your horses DDG. Has a great smell and horses love the taste. Remember it's 24-25% protein minimum so don't overdo it. For those older horses I'd probably mix it with shredded beet pulp rather than the corn especially if the horses are not being worked heavily.