very basic feeding question

[zendog]

I am a retired guy who wants to raise two steers for myself and my extended family. I will deeply appreciate help on a basic feeding regime.

I have new, good, strong fense and about 6 acres of OK pasture -- fescue, clover and assorted green plants unknown to me. The land was bush hogged before I owned it.

I am about to purchase 2 steers just being weaned but already eating some corn. The steers are Simmental and Angus cross about 400 to 500 pounds.

I want to raise them with the objective of getting the best possible meat. Cost is not my major concern. My idea of good meat is: tender, flavorful, juicy and somewhat less fat than is currently popular in supermarkets in my area.

I have 8 round bails of grass hay (first cutting 07) on hand and I can give some alfalfa horse hay if necessary.

How much of what should I feed these guys? What is the optimum size to butcher? And, when can I expect to reach that weight?

I raised a couple of pigs this spring and was very satisfied with the experience.

I would also appreciate any advice for other than feed that will result in the highest quality meat.

 

[donnaIL]

Sounds like you have plenty of space for a couple of steers. As long as they have good grass/clover you should not have to give them any hay.

We slowly up the amount of corn we give them each day..until they are on full feed (as much as they want to eat, usually about 20lbs a day per animal). With the price of corn we feed a little corn while they are growing and then really pour it to them the last 2-3 month. I've seen others post to feed 2% of body weight to finish. When they are on full feed they do not eat much hay.

When we first started buying 500lb steers it took us about 8 months to finish them to a 1200-1300 lb animal...to obtain hanging weights between 350-400 per side. We have them butched somewhere between 15-18 months old. I would get animals of similar frame size so that they finish together.
We have butchered a couple steers earlier than planned due (at 12-13 mo) to them being a pain (jumping etc), while they weighted out a little less the the meat was tender and delicious, in other words instead of getting 20-16oz TBones, we got 20-14oz TBones.

Good Luck,
donna

 

[I luv herfrds]

Sounds like you are off to a good start.
Feed them just as much as they will clean up. If they are wasting hay then cut back the amount you give them. Do you have a feed bunk? That way they do not waste as much hay by pooing all over it. No need to start feeding them hay until they show an intrest in it. Standing at the fence and bawling is a sure sign. Even after you feed them hay they will still go out and graze.
We give ours some ground grain, mainly barley. Since you do not want alot of fat on them I would pass on the grain.
Mainly give them the alfafa when it is cold it will help them stay warm.
We normally butcher them at about 24 months and a couple times older. They dress out around 900lbs. Get some pretty big steaks out of them. No they are not tough, but tender and delicious.

 

[footballjdtractor]

a very basic ration would be to feed about 2 pounds of corn and one pound of soy bean meal per head per day. every two weeks increase the amount of corn one pound per head until you're feeding 15-17 pounds of corn (half of a five gallon bucket) per head per day. keep all the hay in front of them they want. as your pasture declines they will eat more of the hay. Keep a good mineral out all the time. once the cattle are eating the full amount of corn keep them on this until they are the desired size. make sure you have enough bunk space so they can all eat at once. a 32 or 38% protein supplement could replace the soy bean meal.