For young calves, soybean meal is preferable to cottonseed meal because of the potential for problems with gossypol from cottonseed meal, particularly in calves less than 400 pounds. Providing proper salt and mineral supplementation is an essential component of a good nutritional program for stocker calves.
What is the best way to feed calves?
The feed bunk and water source should be easily accessible and recognizable. 2. The ration needs to be high in energy and protein and highly palatable. New Mexico research has shown young calves seem less as prone to acidosis than yearlings, and eat concentrated rations very well. Consumption of these rations be 3% of body weight within two weeks
How do you feed a full-feeding Stocker cow?
It's one thing to figure you can grind the hay, mix the rations and feed the cattle every day; it's another to accomplish that consistently, Sawyer says. As in most areas of business, Sawyer says, the innovators are the ones most successful at full-feeding stocker cattle.
How do you take care of Stocker calves at receiving?
Proper nutritional management of stocker calves at receiving is fundamental in improving stockering profitability. Newly received calves typically have decreased feed and water intake from one day to several days. Upon arrival, calves should be placed in small lots with adequate shade and clean water.
What should I Feed my calves to prevent acidosis?
The ration needs to be high in energy and protein and highly palatable. New Mexico research has shown young calves seem less as prone to acidosis than yearlings, and eat concentrated rations very well. Consumption of these rations be 3% of body weight within two weeks
What do stocker cattle eat?
To make full-feeding of stockers economically sensible, besides having the necessary facilities, Sawyer emphasizes you've got to be flexible. “I can get 2.4 lbs. of gain with a ration consisting of 50% alfalfa, 40% corn and 10% cottonseed meal.
How much should a stocker grower eat?
Feeding rates vary according to quality of forage and desired gain: on lush forage feed 0.25% to 0.50% body weight; on transitional forage feed 0.75% to 1.0% body weight and on mature forage feed 1.0% to 1.5% body weight.
What is a good feed for calves?
Most experts recommend mixing alfalfa with grass hay, rather than relying exclusively on alfalfa hay. Alfalfa hay is often recommended for dairy cattle, but may not be a good fit for beef cattle, since it can lead to bloat. Legume hay is another nutritious option for cattle, since it's high in protein.
How do stocker cattle gain weight?
Pasture Management One of the cheapest things you can do to increase weight gain in your stocker calves is to properly fertilize and lime pastures. Properly fertilized forages contain more nutrients needed by cattle to gain weight quickly.
How much can you make on stocker calves?
A producer who is buying Holstein stockers that will gain 2 pounds per day and sell for $0.65 per pound in fall can pay up to $1.09 per pound in spring and break even. Daily rate of gain has an important impact on the profitability of the operation.
How much grain should a 400 lb calf eat?
pound calf will need to consume in the neighborhood of 7 to 8 pounds of grain daily. Small amounts of hay will compliment the grain ration for these 8 to 12 week old animals.
How many pounds of grain should a calf eat per day?
Calves will need 4 to 5 pounds of a grain-protein mixture per head daily to average 1.2 pounds daily on winter fescue pastures (Table 3). Forage sorghum, small grain and grass legume silages work well for wintering calves but are lower in energy than corn silage.
Do calves need salt block?
Calves need salt to help their body's to build strong bones. It also helps them to have regular heartbeats. Salt helps with blood clotting. It also helps with muscle movement.
What is the cheapest way to feed cattle?
“Corn residue is one of the lowest cost forages on a cost per pound of energy. That's why mixing a high energy and protein feed like distillers' grains with a low quality forage like corn stalks is so cost effective. Distillers' is often a low-cost source of both energy and protein.
Does hay put weight on cattle?
One idea for adding weight to stocker cattle during the wintering period is as follows. Instead of good quality hay and balage, a higher quality hay and balage or supplement can be fed so that the stocker cattle gain more weight.
How can I gain weight in my calves fast?
5 Ways to Increase Cow WeightTips to Increase and Maintain Cattle Weight. Add Grain into Their Daily Diet. Prevent Illness and Parasites. Add a Weight Gain Supplement. Use Creep Feeders During Weaning. Prevent Cattle Shrink and Stress, Especially During Transport.Explore Farmco Creep Feeders. Meet Farmco Manufacturing.
What do stocker cattle weigh?
What's a Stocker? The University of Kentucky describes a stocker calf as a steer or heifer that is 6 to 9 months of age and weighs 400 to 700 pounds. After weaning from its mother, a stocker is put on grass or some other type of forage to promote growth and weight gain.
How can I gain weight in my calves fast?
5 Ways to Increase Cow WeightTips to Increase and Maintain Cattle Weight. Add Grain into Their Daily Diet. Prevent Illness and Parasites. Add a Weight Gain Supplement. Use Creep Feeders During Weaning. Prevent Cattle Shrink and Stress, Especially During Transport.Explore Farmco Creep Feeders. Meet Farmco Manufacturing.
How can I gain weight in my calves?
If good quality pasture or grazing land is provided to the cows and calves, beef calves gain sufficient weight. Alternately, quality hay such as alfalfa, grass or oat will provide adequate nutrition. Provide clean, fresh water, salt and mineral supplements in addition to the roughage.
What is the best grain to feed cattle?
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.
Can calves eat horse feed?
It's generally okay for cattle and horses to eat grass together in a pasture, munch through similar, good-quality hay, and drink the same water. However, horses should not be given grain-based feeds designed for cattle.
What do stockers look for in cattle?
Stocker operations look for “bargain” cattle, put weight on them and then sell them to a feedlot for finishing, according to Dale Blasi, a professor/exten sion specialist at the Kansas State University Beef Stocker Unit.
What is stocker cattle market?
The stocker cattle market is an opportunistic one. Typically, stocker buyers “buy ’em ugly and sell ’em pretty” by finding cattle that are have recently been weaned or are coming out of their first winter. These animals likely look a little rough and need TLC.
How much is Detzel's bull calves discounted?
Uncastrated bull calves and those with horns are significantly discounted, up to $25 per hundred weight.
How long does it take to gain weight from stocker cattle?
The stocker cattle industry is built on the premise that farmers buy small cattle with the intention of achieving maximum weight gain in about 90 days. Most often, these cattle are grazed, meaning it’s imperative to provide enough good quality forage to sustain the herd.
Where does Detzel buy his calves?
Detzel leverages his relationship with the producer he buys his calves from. Together, they go in on trucking and ship their cattle out of state to auction in Missouri. There, they’ll bring a higher price than New York auctions.
Why do cattle gain faster on spring forage?
When the cattle start out thin and ragged, they’ll gain at a quicker rate on spring forage. That’s because they’re eating better than they previously had .
How much weight can a stressed cow lose?
Stressed cattle drop weight quickly under stress. They can easily lose 40 to 50 pounds through intercellular water loss and manure production when they are kept in a holding pen for too long.
Why should stocker calves be fed a diet?
Because of this, diets for newly arrived stocker calves should be formulated to maximize intake and provide greater concentrations of required nutrients. Receiving diets must be highly palatable, stimulate intake, provide acceptable levels of critical nutrients, and minimize the potential for nutritional disorders.
What is the best supplement for stocker calves?
Providing proper salt and mineral supplementation is an essential component of a good nutritional program for stocker calves. Phosphorus levels are typically low on forage-based diets, so next to sodium and chloride, phosphorus is a key mineral to supplement to balance the diet. Trace minerals such as zinc and copper, along with vitamins A and E, are also important in meeting the nutritional needs of stocker calves.
What to feed stressed calves?
Some feedstuffs are better for stressed calves than others. Stressed calves do not respond to non-protein nitrogen (urea) in the diet as well as nonstressed calves. Some suggestions are that increasing rumen bypass protein supplies can increase performance of stressed calves, but research results are mixed. Soybean meal is generally considered a much better source of rumen bypass protein than cottonseed meal. Avoid heat-damaged feeds for stressed calves, because they may have reduced levels of protein available for the animals to use. Another feed-related factor to consider when receiving stocker calves is that newly arrived calves often prefer dry feeds over wet feeds, such as silages. However, calves will adapt to high levels of high-moisture feeds such as corn silage in 1–2 weeks.
How to treat a heifer?
For high-risk cattle, perform all of the above. Additionally, consider the following based on veterinary advice: 1 Mass treat with an antibiotic (metaphylaxis) 2 Inject heifers with prostaglandin F2-alpha 3 Remove clinically sick calves and place in a separate location (hospital pen) 4 Keep calves isolated in hospital pens
What is the most challenging class of cattle?
Young, growing calves are one of the most challenging classes of cattle for which to plan nutritional and health programs. Planning for stressed calves is even more critical. Stocker management should arrange for effective stocker cattle facilities, nutrition, and health programs before calves arrival. For more information on stocker cattle receiving programs, contact your local MSU Extension office.
What is stockering in cattle?
Stockering describes a management system that takes young, lightweight calves to a desired weight or adds weight to market cows and bulls. This is done primarily by using forage-based diets.
How to design a calf receiving facility?
Designing and maintaining effective facilities is the first step in planning a successful calf receiving program. Facilities should allow for a smooth, low-stress flow of cattle. Avoid square corners in facilities where cattle could crowd and injure one another. Curved lanes are more effective in moving cattle forward. When possible, include solid sides to fencing to minimize outside visual distractions to cattle. Design chutes to proper widths (28–30 inches)—not too narrow and not so wide that cattle can turn around.
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 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.
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.
How long do calves need to eat receiving rations?
Receiving rations must be palatable and highly fortified with nutrients if stressed calves are going to consume close to their daily nutrient needs the first two weeks after arrival. A variety of receiving rations have been used successfully.
How to keep death loss and sickness to a minimum on new feeder cattle?
Keeping death loss and sickness to a minimum on new feeder cattle is basic to profitable backgrounding. A good health program begins by avoiding the purchase of sick animals or those exposed to sick animals. Newly weaned calves usually have more sickness problems than yearlings.
What is MGA in heifers?
MGA is a synthetic hormone similar in structure and activity to progesterone, the natural pregnancy hormone.
What are some good winter rations?
Distiller slops and grains, soybean hulls and whole cottonseed are other possibilities for protein and energy sources in winter rations.
Why do cattle graze in spring?
Rotational grazing systems and sequential grazing, or letting stocker cattle graze before cows so the younger animals will have the higher quality forage, are other attempts to make the most economical use of forages. Any extra cost or labor involved must be considered to evaluate the economics of these practices.
When should calves be fleshy?
Calves that are to be grazed on summer pastures without grain supplements should not be fleshy in the spring. Calves that have gained more slowly in the winter will usually gain faster in the summer and make up 50 to 60 percent of their lag in winter gain. Medium- to large-frame calves should not become fleshy when gaining from 1.5 to 2.0 pounds daily in winter.
Do weaned calves have sickness?
Newly weaned calves usually have more sickness problems than yearlings. Preconditioned calves that have received their shots and been taught to eat grain should have less sickness. This is especially true for calves stressed by marketing and transportation procedures.
What to do if cattle have insufficient forage?
With insufficient forage, cattle need feed. You should take action right away if you know that your herd’s grazing will be limited. You could simply reduce the number of cows in your herd, which would immediately reduce the amount of supplemental feeding the remaining cows require.
What do cows eat?
Most of a cow’s life is spent eating grasses and hay. During the spring and summer, when the grass grows plentifully, beef cattle eat more pasture grasses. During the late fall and through the winter cattle are fed hay. In a perfect world, this rotation—grass in the growing season and hay through the fall and winter—would be enough.
Why do cows need cubes?
Cattle Cubes. Cattle cubes help your herd maintain both their weight and condition because they are formulated to supplement fair and low-quality forage. Cattle cubes provide the protein, minerals, and vitamins a cow’s forage sometimes lacks. Cattle cubes come in several different sizes, making them easier for your cattle to eat.
Why is pelleted feed digestible?
Another reason pelleted cattle feed is more digestible is the thermal process used to manufacture it. The thermal process locks in amino acids and other nutrients, providing better nutritional benefits for your cattle.
What is textured feed?
Textured cattle feed is made from flaked corn, molasses, protein pellets, and several other energy sources. It is also fortified with macro and micronutrients, vitamins, and other natural ingredients. Because it contains molasses, textured cattle feed is often referred to as “sweet feed.” Today’s textured cattle feed, which uses less molasses than in the past, still provides an advantage; it makes the feed more palatable, which is good news for your cattle.
What are cattle cubes?
Cattle cubes come in several different sizes, making them easier for your cattle to eat. Most cattle cubes contain 20% crude protein but also can be found in higher protein percentages. TIP: To reduce competition among your herd, your best choice is to feed them with ground, free-choice cattle cubes.
Why is it important to have enough forage for cattle?
The quantity of forage available to your herd is paramount to their health and longevity. With insufficient forage, cattle need feed. You should take action right away if you know that your herd’s grazing will be limited.
What is the best protein for a young calves?
Soybean meal or alfalfa is a preferable protein source over cottonseed meal for young calves, and Lalman says the ration labeled Diet B is well tested and favored by producers starting lightweight calves. 5.
What is the best way to wean cows from drought?
One of the biggest components to successfully early weaning of calves from drought-stressed cows and pastures is a prosperous transition to a feed ration or rations.
How much weight did a calf gain in a day?
In that older OSU data, calves gained 1.75 pounds per day for the weaned period and in recent years have gained 1.75 to 2.25 pounds per day on the two rations we show here. In North Dakota trials, early-weaned calves gained 1.51 to 2.32 pounds per day.
How many calves per pen?
To insure that smaller and more timid calves get a chance at feed and water, limit 20 calves per pen during the critical first few days on the starter ration. Placing one or two older calves that are accustomed to eating and drinking in with the early-weaned calves helps to reduce stress on the weaned calves and give them someone to follow to ...
Does Oklahoma State University have a confined cow operation?
Oklahoma State University has for several years now maintained a confined-cow operation and therefore has calves on feed. Beef Producer asked OSU beef specialist Dave Lalman if he has any new lessons or thoughts from those experiences he would share. This is his answer:
Can silage be used in weaning?
Although they have high nutrition, he says, silages should only be used in limited amounts because the high moisture level and the palatability characteristics of silage make it unlikely calves will consume silage-based diets in amounts adequate to grow at targeted levels.
Receiving Facilities
Receiving Nutrition Programs
- A well-designed nutritional program is a vital part of a successful stockering enterprise. The receiving phase is a unique and challenging period in a calf’s life. Proper nutritional management of stocker calves at receiving is fundamental in improving stockering profitability.
Receiving Health Programs
- Young, stressed calves from multiple sources that have already been exposed to a multitude of infectious agents pose a challenge to the stocker operation. A good health program starts with close adherence to management advice on nutrition, facility design, and care outlined throughout this publication. Specific disease prevention and treatment protocols should be designed for ea…
Conclusions
- Young, growing calves are one of the most challenging classes of cattle for which to plan nutritional and health programs. Planning for stressed calves is even more critical. Stocker management should arrange for effective stocker cattle facilities, nutrition, and health programs before calves arrival. For more information on stocker cattle receiving programs, contact your lo…
References
- Grandin, T. (1997). The design and construction of facilities for handling cattle. Elsevier Science. Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. Iowa State University. (1987). Midwest service plan: Beef housing and equipment handbook. MWP S-6. Iowa State University, Ames, IA. National Research Council. (2000). Nutrient requirements of beef cattle(7th ed.). National Academy Pres…