weaning heifers..best feed to grow/develop

[RNW]

saving some heifers this year..feeding "beef grower" 14%(soybean pellets/cracked corn) from local supplier...not growing/fattening like i want...375/425lbs heifers feeding approx 7lb feed a day per animal with free choice hay/ water..i know i don't want them fat like bulls to sell, but i worry i am not giving them what they need to grow while they are in their growth stage...any opinions welcome on anyone's feed combination for growing heifers to keep

 

[SBMF 2015]

saving some heifers this year..feeding "beef grower" 14%(soybean pellets/cracked corn) from local supplier...not growing/fattening like i want...375/425lbs heifers feeding approx 7lb feed a day per animal with free choice hay/ water..i know i don't want them fat like bulls to sell, but i worry i am not giving them what they need to grow while they are in their growth stage...any opinions welcome on anyone's feed combination for growing heifers to keep

That sounds very similar to what we feed at work except we mix our own. I would add some more protein of some kind. You can just top dress their feed with a grower protein (32,34,36% depending on the brand)

 

[Brute 23]

With heifer development you really want them on the cows as long as possible. Not sure if you had to early wean or what but you may be fighting and uphill battle.

 

[worldsgreatestlover]

I know it's not answering your question and I apologize for that. but I would tend to agree with brute. 400 pounds is awful small to have replacements off the cow. And even when weaned at a proper age/wieght I don't won't to prop them up to much. Good pasture and a couple pounds of cubes. Anything that can't keep up is not a candidate to stay.

 

[ClinchValley86]

My heifers run like my cows. I let the cows wean them when theyre ready. They get grass and hay. Thats for the ones im keeping for myself. Bit of corn weekly to keep em trained to come in.

If youre selling them, most people like buying fat looking heifers.

I wouldnt go over 1% bodyweoght in feed per day. Free choice grazing/hay and mineral.

 

[SBMF 2015]

Those soy hulls have a lot of fiber. They’ll add “bloom” to an animal but not a lot of extra energy.

 

[kenny thomas]

Be sure they have been wormed with a good injectable wormer. Worms can be very hard on small calves.

 

[Brute 23]

Kenny is right. Worming, vacs, free choice mineral, salt, clean water, etc. We do multimen shot but thats up to you. They will need all of it.

 

[RNW]

With heifer development you really want them on the cows as long as possible. Not sure if you had to early wean or what but you may be fighting and uphill battle.

i understand completely. their mommas were old and poor. took them off early for moms sake. i run bulls year round so i have calves at different times/seasons of year. i know not the best management system. i appreciate everyone's opinion. thanks for taking time

 

[RNW]

That sounds very similar to what we feed at work except we mix our own. I would add some more protein of some kind. You can just top dress their feed with a grower protein (32,34,36% depending on the brand)

thanks....im not familiar with grower protein. any suggestions. thanks

 

[SBMF 2015]

thanks....im not familiar with grower protein. any suggestions. thanks

Used to use Purina 36 OB500. All natural w/ bovitec. We switched feed companies and they carry Kent products. So now I use Kent Baby Beef. I think it’s a 34%

 

[MurraysMutts]

We are feeding a steer again. So soon I know!
But I've got a heifer in there with him I'm gonna put with the bull soon. She's eating all she wants of some LNC cattle finisher. I think she will really shine in a couple months! Especially with the grass she's got to eat.

 

[elkwc]

saving some heifers this year..feeding "beef grower" 14%(soybean pellets/cracked corn) from local supplier...not growing/fattening like i want...375/425lbs heifers feeding approx 7lb feed a day per animal with free choice hay/ water..i know i don't want them fat like bulls to sell, but i worry i am not giving them what they need to grow while they are in their growth stage...any opinions welcome on anyone's feed combination for growing heifers to keep

I have weaned my replacements at a variety of weights. When we wean young and lighter it is usually due to drought. Sometimes have left them on the cow and fed a creep mux similar to yours. Ours has cottonseed in it. A few times if weaned young and light I have waited to breed them until fall. We have never seen any negative effects. We prefer to develop them slower. If weaned young we try to feed good quality wheat hay and mix in an alfalfa bale. When a breeder lives in areas either constant drought they have to adjust. Don’t have the options many breeders have