fitting up a year old heifer for a show in may

[hedgesjp1985]

I have a heifer that I want to fit up for a show in may.  I have never shown cattle, but I have a grizzly x heatwave heifer that i'd like to take to a couple shows.  Im looking at differant supplements and i am not sure if it is cost effective to buy supplements if i cant mix my own rations.  Right now I am feeding 5lbs. of 16% heifer grower 2x daily.  Any Suggestions ?

 

[mccannfarms]

How much does she weigh?

 

[hedgesjp1985]

about 700 pounds

 

[J2F]

pictures would help. Right off the bat at 700 + pounds I think you want to be closer to 7 or 8 lb's per feeding.

 

[showsteerdlux]

Make sure to do it slowly, but you need to be feeding her closer to 10 pounds a feeding (3%).

She also needs to be on a lower protein higher fat feed. Where are you located?

 

[Cow Chaser]

I agree that you need to bring her up slowly on feed and I would go to a lower protein feed.  I don't know about the 3% that is going to depend on the feed, our heifer feed is to be fed at 2%.  You need to go to a feed mill or call any of the major companies, it would be best to find out what type of feed your mill carries ( Purina, Kent, and so on) then call them, they would have a nutritionist avaliable to build a ration for you.

 

[showsteerdlux]

I agree that you need to bring her up slowly on feed and I would go to a lower protein feed.  I don't know about the 3% that is going to depend on the feed, our heifer feed is to be fed at 2%.  You need to go to a feed mill or call any of the major companies, it would be best to find out what type of feed your mill carries ( Purina, Kent, and so on) then call them, they would have a nutritionist avaliable to build a ration for you.

Just wondering, what's the reason for that 2%?

 

[hedgesjp1985]

I  will take some pics tomorrow night and post them I am from western new york.  So just to get started here what % fat and protein should I be striving for ? I will bump her up to 7 pounds per feeding in the morning.

 

[showsteerdlux]

I personally think a 12% protein 3-5% fat is best. Fat depending on what the animal looked like.

 

[J2F]

I  will take some pics tomorrow night and post them I am from western new york.   So just to get started here what % fat and protein should I be striving for ? I will bump her up to 7 pounds per feeding in the morning.

Look under tools in the menu bar or the Home page and look at AAOK fed ration suggestions and note mineral comments. This will get you started.

 

[blackdiamond]

I  will take some pics tomorrow night and post them I am from western new york.   So just to get started here what % fat and protein should I be striving for ? I will bump her up to 7 pounds per feeding in the morning.

Look under tools in the menu bar or the Home page and look at AAOK fed ration suggestions and note mineral comments. This will get you started.

tremendous recipe and results...

 

[Cow Chaser]

Just wondering, what's the reason for that 2%?

2% is what was recomended by our feed mill, it is also what my in-laws hay been feeding to their show heifers for the past 20+ years.  I haven't had any problems with my heifers not being in show condition feeding them at 2%.