I'm looking for a little help on this topic. There is a lot of info about feeding steer for a hair show, but not a lot of info on feeding a slick Steer. After years of showing my self and breeding show cattle, I now found my self in the position of local 4-H leader. We have a 1/4 slick show at local county fair. I would like learn a little about the tricks to feeding slick steers, so I can help the kids Feed out Their steers the right way. If feel the feeding program we are on works but it very basic and I believe feeding at a higher level could make us even more competive.
Feeding a slick steer VS feeding a steer for hair show
- Thread starter PCJR21
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looking4champions
Well-known member
It is amazing to me how this post has had over 500 views...... But zero comments. Especially with all of the comments, posts, political comments and other jargon that goes on here.... We finally have someone who needs help, who is doing it for ALL of the right reasons. TO HELP KIDS IN 4H WITH THEIR STEERS!!!!!!
1st and foremost, you want the steer to have a smooth appearance when finished. Especially around the tail head. So feedstuffs like rice bran, especially stabilized rice bran will be helpful. Not just for putting on smooth finish, but also for hide and hair health. Above and beyond feeding to get the smooth appearance, you still feed them the same. Knowing you can't use hair to hide faults or enhance strengths. The selection is more critical in my opinion. Finding one with minimal visible faults.....
I'm not sure what you mean about feeding at a high level, but since you've fed one before you know the importance of a good feed, timing the finishing, and management.
1st and foremost, you want the steer to have a smooth appearance when finished. Especially around the tail head. So feedstuffs like rice bran, especially stabilized rice bran will be helpful. Not just for putting on smooth finish, but also for hide and hair health. Above and beyond feeding to get the smooth appearance, you still feed them the same. Knowing you can't use hair to hide faults or enhance strengths. The selection is more critical in my opinion. Finding one with minimal visible faults.....
I'm not sure what you mean about feeding at a high level, but since you've fed one before you know the importance of a good feed, timing the finishing, and management.
I looked around and have not been able to find rice Bran feed for cattle. I have found some for Horses at TSC but nothing for cattle.
My biggest concern is that our (local feed company's fat steer mix) is low in NDF and crude fiber. Many of the show steer feeds have higher NDF and higher crude fiber. I realize that many people would ask me why we are not feeding a pre mixed show cattle feed and that's because of the price. Our local feed company's feed is $16-$17 for 80 lbs bag (steer finisher feed) Vs $19+ for a show cattle feed 50lbs bag. The kids and the family's have a hard time understanding why we need to by the more expensive show cattle feed. Right now most of the kids spend about $1000 to feed out a steer from November to mid August. Any kid that spends more than $2500 on a steer will not break even. Last year we did use "depth charge" The last three months and had really good results. It made a huge difference filling in behind their shoulders and the upper rib area.
Attached below is a picture of the feed tag.
I DO have access to "almond hulls" does anyone think that would be a good additive or am I just off base. We don't have cotton seed hulls or soybean hulls Available locally.
In my experience If you can feed a "common steer" correctly you can be competive. Being involved with slick steer cattle for some time how, if you have no major faults, correct frame size, Fat, and "feel fresh" you can win. More often than not the steers that win are not the most clubby. some of the steer guys in our area hate the "slick show" because they say the "wrong steer can win" we try to breed and feed out the "wrong steer" Lol
We get them fat, but we need more body and need the fresh feel. Anything to help improve out feed program would help thanks
My biggest concern is that our (local feed company's fat steer mix) is low in NDF and crude fiber. Many of the show steer feeds have higher NDF and higher crude fiber. I realize that many people would ask me why we are not feeding a pre mixed show cattle feed and that's because of the price. Our local feed company's feed is $16-$17 for 80 lbs bag (steer finisher feed) Vs $19+ for a show cattle feed 50lbs bag. The kids and the family's have a hard time understanding why we need to by the more expensive show cattle feed. Right now most of the kids spend about $1000 to feed out a steer from November to mid August. Any kid that spends more than $2500 on a steer will not break even. Last year we did use "depth charge" The last three months and had really good results. It made a huge difference filling in behind their shoulders and the upper rib area.
Attached below is a picture of the feed tag.
I DO have access to "almond hulls" does anyone think that would be a good additive or am I just off base. We don't have cotton seed hulls or soybean hulls Available locally.
In my experience If you can feed a "common steer" correctly you can be competive. Being involved with slick steer cattle for some time how, if you have no major faults, correct frame size, Fat, and "feel fresh" you can win. More often than not the steers that win are not the most clubby. some of the steer guys in our area hate the "slick show" because they say the "wrong steer can win" we try to breed and feed out the "wrong steer" Lol
We get them fat, but we need more body and need the fresh feel. Anything to help improve out feed program would help thanks
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looking4champions
Well-known member
The rice bran that you found at tractor supply for horses works great for steers also. It should be the stabilized rice bran. It works great. Use it.
You may have to do some additional research and formulate your own ration. Just judging by the post of the phone screen shot, it looks like you are somewhere in California. What a lot of people forget is that the ration needs to be formulated to suit the environment (hot/cold days, warm nights, extremely hot summers/cold winter, etc.) the steer is in as well as the phase he is in (growing vs. finishing). There are feed stuffs that you can use that will not make the ration as "hot" with energy but still accomplish what you set out to do. Try using something like Purina's Grand 4T-Fyer or an equivalent mixed with the ration you sent a screen shot of. That may be more justifiable from a cost perspective and produce an overall better ration. If the ration is not specifically designed with a show steer in mind, then it's probably not gonna perform to your liking for a show steer..... Just my opinion.
Research feed stuffs for show steers on the web. You should be able to find tables and charts with the numerous different feed stuffs listed with their TDN, % Crude Protein, % Fiber, etc. You should be able find info on almond hulls also. At the least they should be a good filler/roughage source. I'm not sure of what the nutritional value is. Use the list to determine what is close to you to see if it's worth mixing your own ration.
The "freshness" of a show steer is all about timing and how you feed them. Too much corn too early when make one go stale quick.....
You may have to do some additional research and formulate your own ration. Just judging by the post of the phone screen shot, it looks like you are somewhere in California. What a lot of people forget is that the ration needs to be formulated to suit the environment (hot/cold days, warm nights, extremely hot summers/cold winter, etc.) the steer is in as well as the phase he is in (growing vs. finishing). There are feed stuffs that you can use that will not make the ration as "hot" with energy but still accomplish what you set out to do. Try using something like Purina's Grand 4T-Fyer or an equivalent mixed with the ration you sent a screen shot of. That may be more justifiable from a cost perspective and produce an overall better ration. If the ration is not specifically designed with a show steer in mind, then it's probably not gonna perform to your liking for a show steer..... Just my opinion.
Research feed stuffs for show steers on the web. You should be able to find tables and charts with the numerous different feed stuffs listed with their TDN, % Crude Protein, % Fiber, etc. You should be able find info on almond hulls also. At the least they should be a good filler/roughage source. I'm not sure of what the nutritional value is. Use the list to determine what is close to you to see if it's worth mixing your own ration.
The "freshness" of a show steer is all about timing and how you feed them. Too much corn too early when make one go stale quick.....
CAB
Well-known member
Check into the AAOK feed ration here on the Steer Planet. I love it for a lot of reasons. You can teach youth so much about feeding cattle by using and tweaking this ration. The last time I figured out the cost of the ration that I was personally mixing it ran $214.96 per ton. That's $5.37 per 50 lbs. That price would cut the cost for feeding one out to about half of what you are figuring. Ditto on the Rice Brand mentioned above. Probably start feeding it the last 30 to 60 days.
shortyjock89
Well-known member
Would you recommend AAOKs ration as a base for sale calves? We've got the show heifer feed nailed down, would like to find a good, decently priced feed to buy 6 or 8 tons of at a time for sale babies. Maybe even before we get all the Summer and Fall borns in this winter.
CMAHerefords
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2010
- Messages
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Is the molasses in AAOK's ration wet or dry? Does it matter?
Trying to find a reasonable feed to feed to just a couple replacement heifers.
Trying to find a reasonable feed to feed to just a couple replacement heifers.
CAB
Well-known member
Justin, yes, but I have tweaked it some which I know that you will also do as you familiarize yourself with the ration and the ingredients available to you in your area.
I use liquid molasses, but if I had to use dry I would. Easier for the dry molasses to separate or settle out. I like Sweet and Glow until it gets too cold then I turn to a product called Double S. Both come in 50lb jugs. I mix feed daily. I have a bunch of totes around for different products and a small batch concrete / mortar mixer that I use to mix with. I like to mix a day ahead of use to let the molasses permeate and soak into the ration. I love all of the positives associated with the flexibility that you get by doing it yourself.
I use liquid molasses, but if I had to use dry I would. Easier for the dry molasses to separate or settle out. I like Sweet and Glow until it gets too cold then I turn to a product called Double S. Both come in 50lb jugs. I mix feed daily. I have a bunch of totes around for different products and a small batch concrete / mortar mixer that I use to mix with. I like to mix a day ahead of use to let the molasses permeate and soak into the ration. I love all of the positives associated with the flexibility that you get by doing it yourself.
