You can keep calves on Purina RangeLand ® Calf Creep or transition them onto other feeds like Accuration ® Cattle Limiter, Accu-Creep or Range Supplement 33 mixed with corn, before weaning. Then, start calves on a self-limiting creep feed once weights average 350 pounds and feed intake is around 3.5-4 pounds.
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 is the best feed for feeder 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.
What do you feed Feeder steers?
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 much grain should I feed my beef calf?
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 ...
How much do you feed a feeder calf?
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 is the best grain to feed a steer?
Corn, oats, and barley are the primary grains fed to cattle. Oats, which has a lower energy value due to its high fiber content, is considered the "safest" grain in regards to potential digestive disturbances.
Is cracked corn or whole corn better for cattle?
Processing Corn Even though corn can be fed whole with satisfactory results, cracking or rolling prior to feeding will increase digestibility by 5 to 10 percent. In most instances, grinding or rolling corn will not markedly improve average daily gain, but proper processing will improve feed conversion efficiency.
Do cows need grain everyday?
The grain finished cattle need to be checked regularly and fed daily. They live in the pasture their entire lives and also receive natural grain during the last 6 months of their life. It's up to them on if they eat the grass or grain.
What is the best feed to finish a steer?
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. per day.
How much corn do you feed a steer?
Corn production requirements Depending on the size and weight of the cattle, the amount of forage available for growing lighter calves, access to low-priced byproducts and other factors, 50 to 80 bushels are typically required to finish one steer.
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 long does it take to feed out a feeder calf?
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.
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.
What do you feed a steer before slaughter?
For finishing beef cattle prior to slaughter, most are fed a mixture of ground, shelled corn or millet. These grains are inexpensive, nutritious and add fat to the meat to make it tender.
How much grain should a steer get per day?
The steer will consume roughly 15-20 pounds of hay per day or 2 percent of his body weight. Grain is added to the diet three months before taking the steer to the processor. The amount of time on feed can vary from 60-150 days. For a backyard steer, 90 days on grain should be sufficient.
What is a good finishing ration for steers?
Table 2. Rations for Growing and Finishing Steers, 600 to 800 poundsIngredientDiet 1Diet 2Corn, lbs/hd9.2711.81Soybeans, lbs/hd1.361.89Corn Silage, lbs/hd--Orchardgrass Hay, lbs/hd4.591.5311 more rows•Mar 2, 2021
How do you feed a steer?
6:309:32How We Finish Steers on the Ranch - Grass Fed, Grain Finished - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey'll be started on it very slowly. Only a pound a piece and slowly ramped up to a max grainMoreThey'll be started on it very slowly. Only a pound a piece and slowly ramped up to a max grain ration of about 20 pounds per day over a period of about 90.
K-State beef cattle experts say understanding rations, controlling expenses can be challenging
Hand-feeding a steer through the finishing phase can be an option for those seeking locally sourced beef. (Courtesy photo.)
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What should a calf starter meal contain?
Calf starter meal should contain. As well as meal, calves also need to be offered fibre or roughage in the form of hay. Research has found that 6-7 week old calves fed concentrate ruminated for fewer minutes (6 minutes per hour) compared to calves fed forage such as hay (18 minutes per hour).
Why should I feed hay to my calves?
Hay should be fed ideally in hay nets or feeders to prevent calves from soiling it or using it as bedding. Fibre makes the rumen bigger and promotes the development of the rumen muscles by stimulating the receptors that trigger muscle contractions.
How long should a 6-7 week old cow eat hay?
As well as meal, calves also need to be offered fibre or roughage in the form of hay. Research has found that 6-7 week old calves fed concentrate ruminated for fewer minutes (6 minutes per hour) compared to calves fed forage such as hay (18 minutes per hour). The hay should ideally be short chopped and offered to calves in small amounts ...
Why do calves need hay?
Since calf meal is responsible for developing the lining of the rumen, and hay is responsible for developing rumen size and strength and for stimulating rumination; calves need BOTH roughage and grain to prepare them for weaning.
How much colostrum should I give my 40kg calf?
A 40kg newborn calf needs 4 litres of colostrum within the first 12 hours of life, but their abomasum (stomach) capacity is only about 2 litres, so you can’t physically feed this all in one feed. Ideally, a 40kg calf should be fed 2 litres of first milking colostrum within 6 hours of birth and another 2 litres of first milking colostrum within ...
How long does it take for a calf to get colostrum?
Calves need 10% of their bodyweight in high quality, first milking colostrum within the first 6 to 12 hours of life. This is because a calf is born without a fully functioning immune system, and needs to absorb antibodies from its mother’s colostrum across their guts, ...
Why is it important to rear a calf?
When young calves are being milk fed, they use only one (the abomasum) of their four stomachs; but the aim of successful calf rearing is to develop the calf rumen quickly and to produce a well grown, healthy, ruminating animal. It’s much cheaper to feed a calf meal and grass than it is to feed milk. In order to develop the calf’s rumen quickly, ...
What is feeder 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. Ranchers begin the process by breeding cows (females) with bulls (males) either naturally or with artificial insemination (A.I.).
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 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.
How long does a cattle feedlot last?
This phase generally lasts between six to 10 months. Feedlot: A rancher with feeder cattle has three options: Continue to raise the cattle on the rancher’s property until they reach the designated weight for slaughter. Send the cattle to a commercial feedlot.
How does weather affect cattle?
Weather can affect feeder cattle prices in several ways. First, weather has a big impact on grain prices. Severe drought conditions or excessive cold spells can diminish grain supply and send prices higher . This, in turn, usually has a negative effect on feeder cattle prices. Weather can also directly affect the process of raising feeder cattle.
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.
