Depth Supplements

[CameronW]

I have an April Walks Alone heifer that weighs right around 700. I like everything about her except for her gut. She has some but when I showed her that was one of the problems that came up. She is on full feed of Purina Beef Developer and Kalmbach Guts and Glory feed. It is helping some but I would like to see her with more gut for my winter jackpot show. What would you guys recommend for me to add to her feed to get her to drop gut sooner?

 

[savaged]

I've used Depth Charge the past few years and have liked it for what it can do to extend some gut & belly.  You'll need to rely on genetics to add depth and rib shape though, which is really the key to what you are after.    Won't hurt to feed some mixed with a product like Winning Fill an hour or so before the show either.  Let her eat it, then just before leaving the fitting area give water until you get the right amount of fill.

 

[Bradenh]

Long stem hay, genetics and time are the key to depth. Everything mentioned before will for sure add to her in an instant but if your looking for "depth" which I read as "distance from belly/ flank, to the floor" then your at the mercy of genetics and time and a long process with a good hay buffet

Rib can be substituted rather easy though by doing everything savaged said!

 

[CameronW]

Thanks guys. I think she has adequate gut for now but I am just trying to help her get more for the show season. She gets about a flake of hay a day and I will look into the depth charge. Here is a picture of her from the show the 14th.

 

[CAB]

Doesn't anyone just use Beet Pulp shreads anymore or are they hard to find in certain parts of the country?

 

[obie105]

I use beet pulp. I have actually found it easier to find now that all the horse people use it. It's in every farm store now.

 

[crushertown]

Very nice heifer.  From where the picture is taken her depth isn't bad. 

 

[OH Breeder]

Doesn't anyone just use Beet Pulp shreads anymore or are they hard to find in certain parts of the country?

We use beet pulp shreds with molasses. Toward the middle and end of feeding cycle.

 

[CameronW]

Thanks for all the replies and the comment on her. I didn't think she had bad depth but it was brought up by both judges. I might start with beet pulp for cost efficiency right now and if it doesn't work closer to fair I will put her on depth charge.