Feeding Calves
- Bottle Feeding Calves Milk Replacer. Very young calves are usually bottle-fed because they are too young to train. ...
- Get the Right Temperature When Mixing a Milk Replacer. ...
- Bottle Feeding Calves in Cold Weather. ...
- Feeding Calves Milk Replacer from a Bucket
What is the optimal feeding level for calves?
The following practices for raising calves can:
- Decrease the exposure of calves to disease.
- Improve calf health.
- Improve calf survival rates.
- Improve growth rates.
What is the best way to wean calves?
Tips to Get Them Eating Quickly
- Encourage calf starter feed consumption. For the first five to seven days of weaning calves, target calves to consume a total diet equaling 2.5-3% of their bodyweight.
- Evaluate bunk space, management. Each calf needs about a foot of bunk space so all calves can be at the feed bunk at the same time. ...
- Make feed placement a priority. ...
How do you feed a feeder calf?
Impact of higher corn prices on feeding cost of gain and net returns for cattle finishing
- Feeding Cost of Gain. Feeding cost of gain is sensitive to changes in feed conversions, corn prices, and alfalfa prices. ...
- Cattle Finishing Net Returns. Monthly cattle finishing net returns from January 2012 to February 2022 are illustrated in Figure 2.
- Sensitivity of Feeding Cost of Gain, Net Returns to Changes in Corn Prices. ...
- Summary and Conclusions. ...
How to raise a feeder calf?
- The length of the grazing season in days
- The average weight of your animals (a cow-calf pair will need less space than two cows, for instance)
- The pasture type and yield (or growth rate – grass doesn’t grow in equal amounts the entire year)
- Whether you will be rotating pastures (recommended) or allowing animals to continuously graze
What do you feed feeder cattle?
Cattle weighing 700 pounds or more should be fed a ration containing 11 percent crude protein in a ration composed of grain (usually corn, but barley and wheat are often also used), protein sources, and roughage.
How long do you feed feeder calves?
Beef calves usually spend the first six months with their mothers. After weaning, the calves are fed to gain weight. Cattle are ruminants, livestock with a four-part stomach.
How much does a feeder calf eat per day?
Young calves will eat a little more and heavier cattle will eat a little less. For example, a 600 pound calf will eat 15-18 pounds of dry matter (2.5-3% of body weight) and a 1000 pound calf will eat 20-25 pounds of dry matter per day (2-2.5% of body weight).
What kind of feed do calves need?
Calf starter feeds should be dust-free, highly palatable feeds containing 75 to 80 percent total digestible nutrients (TDN), 15 to 20 percent crude protein, and adequate minerals and vitamins. They should be coarsely ground, rolled, or pelleted to facilitate feed intake and rumen development.
How do you take care of a feeder calf?
Feeder calves are ruminants and require forages. Hay and/or pasture are essential to maintain a healthy, growing calf. Water is critical. Provide fresh water daily and have available at all times.
How much corn should a calf eat?
Calves that are gaining at a moderate rate (2 to 3 lbs/day) need about 1.5% of their body weight as grains (800 lb calf = 12 lbs of grain), whereas calves gaining at a greater rate (+ 3 lbs/day) need more grain in their diet and should consume up to 2.0 to 2.25% of their body weight as grain (800 lb calf = 16 to 20 lbs ...
What is the best grain for calves?
Alfalfa or other high-quality legume hay, silage, or haylage can be used to supplement corn silage for protein in calf rations. It will take 3.5 to 4.5 pounds of alfalfa hay to supply the amount of protein contained in 1.2 to 1.5 pounds of soybean meal.
Can calves eat whole corn?
Can I feed whole corn to my beef cattle as a supplement? Cows can be fed whole corn as a supplement. Corn would be considered an energy feed and therefore an energy supplement. In high forage cow diets, I would not feed more than 3 to 4 lb per head per day.
When should I introduce calf pellets?
Eight to 12 weeks old Don't limit intake at this stage of development and don't allow calves to go periods of time without calf starter. Once calves reach 12 weeks old, introduce a calf grower feed.
When can a calf start eating hay?
Heinrichs and Jones suggest holding off on hay feeding until calves are consuming 5 to 6 pounds of texturized starter grain per day, at around 7 to 8 weeks of age. If the starter grain is in pelleted form with high amounts of ruminally digestible forage, hay should be introduced a bit earlier, at 5 to 6 weeks of age.
How often should calves be fed?
Twice a dayTwice a day feeding is a common practice among cattlemen. Calves should consume 8 to 10 percent of their body weight daily. Divide your calf's meals between morning and evening, feeding an equal amount each time—between 4 and 5 percent of his body weight.
How soon can a calf eat grain?
In early weaning systems calves need to begin eating some grain by 2 weeks of age to allow enough rumen development to occur before weaning at 5 or 6 weeks of age. If we do a good job of managing grain intake, it is possible to wean calves at 6 weeks, even when milk feeding rates are high.
How old is a calf when it is transported to a feedlot?
Most of the cattle coming into feedlots are around 700 to 800 pounds and are around a year of age. When they first come into the feedlot they are vaccinated, ear tagged, and started on a high forage diet. The longer they are in the feedlot, the more their diets become concentrated with grains and high energy products.
How long does it take to feed out a steer?
The amount of time on feed can vary from 60-150 days. For a backyard steer, 90 days on grain should be sufficient. The grain component will help him gain faster and change the flavor of the beef to more closely match what is purchased in the grocery store.
How much feed does it take to finish a steer?
10-15 lbs. per day of corn, oats or barley fed to grazing cattle is a good finishing ration. This fed to a 900-1000 pound steer for 3-4 months should will you a nicely finished animal. If you do not have access to pasture or if you are finishing during the winter, you might increase the amount of grain to 15-18 lbs.
How much grain should I feed my beef cow per day?
Cows will voluntarily consume about 2 percent of their body weight or 24 pounds per day. The 24 pounds is based on 100 percent dry matter.
How to purchase a feeder calf?
Consult a local farmer or cattle farmers' association for assistance in locating a place to purchase feeder calves. Some areas have livestock auctions, and researching prices at these markets can help you determine a fair price for a feeder calf sold in your area. Conduct as much research as possible before purchasing any calves, and try to have a vet check out the health of any animal before you purchase it. If you do not have a vet examine the animal, look for signs of health like bright-eyes, shiny fur and alertness before purchasing.
How old is a cow when it is fed a feeder calf?
How to Raise a Feeder Calf. A feeder calf is a young cow that is raised until it's 6 to 9 months old and then transported to a feedlot. Once at a feedlot, the calf is fed and raised until it's old enough for slaughter. A feeder calf can be male or female.
How to keep a calf on your property?
Establish the animals on your property, ensuring they have an adequate clean water supply and ample food. Bring in a vet for regular check-ups and vaccinations, as needed. Based on your region and the calves' breed, calves can be afflicted with problems like diarrhea, bloat and parasites.
Can calves spread E. coli?
Calves can spread diseases like E. coli through their waste. If you use a your land for raising vegetables and other food, ensure the vegetables are thoroughly washed and cooked before eating. Always consult a veterinarian before administering antibiotics or other medications to your calves. References.
Can a feeder calf be male?
A feeder calf can be male or female. Raising feeder calves requires a few acres of land, and you must feed and care for the calves, until they are large enough to sell to a feedlot. This can be a good source of income for a small farmer, or it can provide a homegrown source of food for a family. Verify that your community does not ban livestock ...
How much do feeder cattle weigh?
Feeder cattle are weaned calves that reach a weight of between 600 to 800 pounds. At this point, cattle producers feed them a diet of high-energy feed to promote weight gain. Ultimately, when they reach a weight of about 1,200 to 1,400 pounds, feeder cattle are slaughtered to produce beef.
How long does it take to raise feeder cattle?
The timeline for raising feeder cattle is as follows: First six months: Calves remain with the cow and receive their initial nutrition from nursing. Over time, ranchers supplement this nutrition with grass feeding and eventually with grain.
How Do Ranchers Produce Cattle?
Producing feeder cattle is a complex, high-stakes business. Successful production relies on proper animal husbandry techniques as well as good economic decision-making.
Where Can I Trade on Cattle?
Start your research with reviews of these regulated brokers available in .
How many cows can a bull breed?
Feeder Cattle Breeding Process. A natural breeding process generally requires one bull for each 20 to 25 cows. Many producers prefer A.I. because they can better control the genetics of the calves. Ranchers must allocate a set amount of acres of pasture or grazing land for each cow and its calf offspring.
Why is corn important to cattle?
Corn is such an integral part of the process of raising feeder cattle that many ranchers and others dependent on cattle prices will hedge their exposure to this risk.
What metrics should feeder cattle traders pay attention to?
Therefore, feeder cattle traders should pay attention to metrics such as GDP growth and unemployment for clues about future feeder cattle prices.
How long can a calf be weaned from milk?
Calves can be weaned from milk when they are eating a pound and a half or two pounds of the calf starter, for at least three days in a row. This means that calves should not be weaned based on age but rather based on their feed intake. Some calves can be weaned at four weeks, but others may be up to 10 weeks old.
What is the first part of a calf?
For the first part of life, all calves function as a simple-stomached or monogastric animals. At birth, the first three compartments of the stomach, the rumen, reticulum, and omasum, are undeveloped and do not aid in digestion. However, within four days, a calf can be introduced to calf starter and fresh clean drinking water; this introduction will allow the rumen to begin development. Calf starter is a very palatable feed, with adequate protein, minerals, vitamins and a coccidiostat.
What is milk replacer powder?
Milk replacer powders are reconstituted with warm water and make an excellent and oftentimes economical liquid feed for baby calves. During the first three weeks of life, calves should be fed a milk replacer that contains all milk proteins made from dried skim milk or whey products.
How much protein should be in milk replacer?
Milk replacers should contain 18 – 22 percent crude protein, 10 – 22 percent crude fat, and 0.5 percent crude fiber. These commercial milk replacers should be mixed and fed according to the manufacturer’s directions. For the first part of life, all calves function as a simple-stomached or monogastric animals.
How long does it take for a cow to wean from milk?
Some calves can be weaned at four weeks, but others may be up to 10 weeks old. Calves can be weaned from milk either abruptly or gradually over three to seven days. After weaning, changes in the grain mix and housing should be made one at a time, over a two-week period.
Is bottle fed calf good for immunity?
A bottle-fed calf will not have the benefit of its dam’s milk with continued support of immunity. So, it’s critical to keep the calf in a clean environment. The calf will be vulnerable to diseases like coccidiosis and calf scours.
Can cattle nurse their mama?
No doubt, most cattle producers have had to work out a situation with a calf that is no longer able to nurse its mama. Possibly, the dam has died or maybe a rejected twin. Regardless, feeding a bottle multiple times a day can be rigorous at best.
What do I feed my finishing steers?
I feed WSC to my finishing steers. They are fall calves weaned in May, on grass w/ corn , then hay w/ corn. I get them up to about 20# WSC with a little bit of protein pellets.
What do you feed whole shell corn with?
Against what a lot of people do - I feed whole shell corn, with a protein pellet added to get the protein level needed.
How old are fall steers when they are butchering?
And to add - I feed out Sept-Oct born calves and butcher them the following October - so they are 12 or 13 months of age. I have been averaging about a 750# carcass. Growthy calves do not need to be backgrounded (pastured). They can go directly on a finishing ration (SLOWLY). Start with 1% of their body weight. You can easily increase every 2 weeks - up to 3% of BW. My fall steers are getting just about 20# WSC right now. Butcher date is 10-11
Why do cattlemen fear feeding whole corn?
That’s because they can see the corn in manure and fear their cattle aren’t getting anything from it.
How much corn should I feed my dog?
I would feed him 1-2% of his body weight. What does he weigh? If he is 1000#, 1% is 10#. So 9# corn & 1# 45%, should be about 12.5% which I would think is "just right" for protein. With good hay, that should be good to grow him out. 2% will help him grow out better - just watch for fat.
Can you research PB cattle?
You can research it - there have been lots of research on the subject . I have been feeding steers to finish and showing PB cattle for many years. My show string also gets WSC with pellets added. I do all right in the show circle.
Can you feed straight corn to prevent acidosis?
I generally don't feed straight corn to prevent acidosis since they are grazing and getting grain, was told the high levels of starch in straight corn while grazing was more likely to cause acidosis.
How to find a cattle feeder?
Be sure to call those references and ask them about the service they received. Your local veterinarian or Extension personnel also may be able to refer you to a reputable feeder. State or local cattlemen or cattle feeder organizations may be able to provide you with lists of custom cattle feeders in a particular area as well.
What is the key to feeding cattle?
One of the keys to successful feeding is to start with a pen of cattle that are uniform in weight, body type, age, breeding and previous nutritional management. When a pen of cattle is as similar as possible, the feedlot manager has an easier time feeding the cattle to an optimum endpoint.
What Services Do Commercial Feed Yards Offer?
Commercial feed yards are specialists in feeding cattle high-concentrate finishing rations. Rations vary from region to region, but all feed a diet high in grains or grain byproducts. However, no matter what the ration, the manager should have experience feeding high-concentrate diets to slaughter cattle. Many feedlots will use the services of private or feed industry nutritionists to formulate rations and provide technical advice on feeding management.
How Does a Commercial Feed Yard Make Money?
If a commercial feed yard owns the cattle it is feeding, it makes money by adding value to the cattle by feeding them to slaughter weight. If the feed yard is feeding cattle for someone else, it makes money by charging fees for the feed, services and facilities it provides.
How much equity do you need to sell cattle?
Feed usually is billed biweekly or monthly. Almost all feedlots will require you to retain 25 to 30 percent equity in the cattle. When the cattle are marketed, the feedlot will deduct charges for feed, financing, yardage and other items immediately. You then will be forwarded a check for the proceeds, provided the cattle made enough money to cover all the costs.
What is custom feeding?
Custom feeding refers to the practice of sending calves, stockers or yearlings to a commercial feed yard for feeding to slaughter weights. Custom feeding is not without risks. It should be viewed as a potential means to add value to your calf crop and/or evaluate the genetic merit of your cow herd.
What is the most important service a commercial feed yard provides?
Marketing your finished cattle is one of the most important services a commercial feed yard provides. The feed yard manager should have experience in feeding and marketing the kind and type of cattle you are sending to the feed yard. Questions to ask include:
What is the best starter feed for calf?
Bigger pellets tend to work best for calf starter feeds because they are softer. Bigger pellets also allow calves to get more with every mouthful, which is essential for less aggressive calves standing at the bunk. Avoid mealy feeds, which often separate and become less appealing to weaning calves. 5.
How to get calves to eat?
Second, licking stimulates weaning calves’ appetites, prompting them to look for feed and water. 2. Offer Palatable Calf Starter Feed. When calves search for feed, make sure there’s a palatable feed in the bunk. If calves like the feed, they will start eating ...
What are the challenges of weaning calves?
Suddenly, they’re faced with a plethora of stressors and challenges. Weaning calves typically includes the weaning itself, shipping, commingling, processing, a change in nutrition and – to top it off – potential swings in weather. Weaning calves are often hungry, meaning they tend to bawl for their dam. Bawling for extended periods can irritate ...
Why do calves bawl?
Bawling for extended periods can irritate a calf’s throat and potentially lead to respiratory challenges. These stressors, paired with a still-developing immune system, can ultimately lead to reduced disease resistance.
What happens when a calf comes to the bunk?
A worst-case scenario is when a calf comes to the bunk for the first time and finds an unpalatable feed.
Can you wean a calf from mealy feed?
Avoid mealy feeds, which often separate and become less appealing to weaning calves.
Why is it important to take inventory of feeds?
Even through hay will make up a small portion of the ration, it is important to know the quality and the nutrients it will be contributing to the overall diet.
How long does it take to finish cattle?
This time can range from 80-300 days.
Do ranchers sell beef?
A trend that has become more prominent in recent years is for ranchers to finish a few animals and sell beef directly to the consumer. Consumers have a desire to know where their beef comes from, value the story and are seeking ranchers to purchase beef from. At the same time, ranchers have been seeking opportunities to add value to their cattle and reduce their exposure to market swings.
Starting A Beef Feeding Enterprise
- Thorough planning and preparation are essential for you to have a successful beef-feeding operation. Operators should determine where they will obtain feeder calves, which feeds will be required to finish the cattle to desired market weights and grades, and what type of shelter will b…
Facilities
- Various materials can be used for feedlot fences, including boards, wire panels, high-tensile wire, and steel cables. Barbed wire is not recommended. A seven- or nine-wire high-tensile fence is one of the most economical barriers. Another effective fence is a combination of high-tensile wire (which can be electrified) with three or four 2-by- 6-inch planks spaced between the wires. Housi…
Grazing and Backgrounding
- Some cattle feeders purchase lightweight feeder calves (350 to 550 pounds), graze them during the spring and summer, and then finish them in the feedlot starting in late summer or fall. Backgrounding is a special type of program that usually combines pasture systems and lightweight cattle. These cattle require extremely good nutrition, management, and health progra…
Purchasing Feeder Cattle
- Anyone purchasing feeder cattle must keep up-to-date on market conditions. Graded feeder-calf sales are held in both fall and spring; some feedlot operators use cattle brokers and tele-auctions to obtain their feeder cattle. Feeder-cattle prices can fluctuate considerably in almost every season of the year. Higher-grade feeder cattle sell for a higher price per pound than lower grade…
Health Maintenance Program
- Because preconditioned and heavier feeder cattle tend to have fewer health problems, purchasing preconditioned calves can be a good investment for the cattle feeder. Preconditioning includes weaning 21 to 45 days before shipping, vaccinating for diseases prevalent in the area, dehorning, castrating, implanting, treating for external and internal parasites, and starting the cattle on grai…
Environmental Impacts
- In the normal course of operations, farmers handle pesticides and other chemicals, may have manure to collect and spread, and use equipment to prepare fields and harvest crops. Any of these routine on-farm activities can be a potential source of surface water or groundwater pollution. Because of this possibility, you must understand the regulations to follow concerning t…
Risk Management
- You should carefully consider how to manage risk on your farm. First, you should insure your facilities and equipment. This may be accomplished by consulting your insurance agent or broker. It is especially important to have adequate levels of property, vehicle, and liability insurance. You will also need workers' compensation insurance if you have any employees. You may also want t…
Sample Budgets
- Included in this publication are three sample budgets summarizing costs and returns for feeding beef cattle. The first is for feeding steers; the second is for feeding heifers; and the third is for feeding yearlings. These budgets should help ensure that you include all costs and receipts in your calculations. Costs and returns are often difficult to estimate in budget preparation becaus…
For More Information
- Becker, J. C., L. F. Kime, J. K. Harper, and R. Pifer. Understanding Agricultural Liability. University Park: Penn State Extension, 2011.
- Comerford, J. W., L. F. Kime, and J. K. Harper. Beef Backgrounding Production. University Park: Penn State Extension, 2013.
- Comerford, J. W., L. F. Kime, K. E. Knoll, and J. K. Harper. Dairy-Beef Production. University Pa…
- Becker, J. C., L. F. Kime, J. K. Harper, and R. Pifer. Understanding Agricultural Liability. University Park: Penn State Extension, 2011.
- Comerford, J. W., L. F. Kime, and J. K. Harper. Beef Backgrounding Production. University Park: Penn State Extension, 2013.
- Comerford, J. W., L. F. Kime, K. E. Knoll, and J. K. Harper. Dairy-Beef Production. University Park: Penn State Extension, 2008.
- Greaser, G. L., and J. K. Harper. Enterprise Budget Analysis. University Park: Penn State Extension, 1994.
