More Gut or Depth....How?

[JoeDirt]

If you have a calf that need more Gut or Depth to make him a pretty good calf.  (meaning this is what he is lacking the most)

What and how would you do it and what world the time frame be in doing so?

 

[Jill]

Gut and Depth are genetics, there is very little you can do to change them much, some will get a little better with maturity, you can feed beet pulp and cottonseed hulls and that will help some, but normally what you have is pretty much what you get.

 

[OH Breeder]

As Jill said, Genetics play a big part, but all the hay they want to eat does help some and definitely beet pulp.

 

[CMB]

What they said stands very true. Body depth and rib shape are usually just there genetics wise but you can help. I dont know where you're from or if you would have access to soyhull pellets? They are a soy biodeisel byproduct. They expand 7-10 times the diameter they are when they go in. We pay around $10 for a 100#'s here. Keep feeding quit a bit of that, beet pulp, cottonseed, any of these. You should see some change.

 

[JoeDirt]

Ok so here is what I would like to know about beet pulp.

If you are trying to gain weight on a calf. Is feeding them alot of beet pulp hindering the process?

Becasue i think like this.....If I ate alot of beet pulp i would not be hungry for my regular food that has the protien and fat that i need to gain weight?

CAn some one help me out about that

Thanks

 

[Jill]

You are exactly correct, beet pulp will expand the gut, but it is also a filler, so if you are trying to put on weight you don't want to feed much beet pulp, you have to decide which is more important to you, weight or fill, we don't feed beet pulp on cattle we are trying to push, we will start it just prior to showing them.

 

[WFCC]

try sun glo product called FULL TANK.  we are using it and are seeing a dramatic effect in a short amount of time.

 

[smurf]

try sun glo product called FULL TANK.  we are using it and are seeing a dramatic effect in a short amount of time.

How are you feeding FULL TANK?  Everyday?  How much?  Just at shows?

Thanks for any information!

 

[Joe Boy]

How long is it until you show?  Sometimes if the calf needs to gain weight and the genetics are correct it will fill out on its own and then you add more fille/fiber to make the gut bigger.  If the calf is lacking fat corn oil and sun glow products help as long as you do not knock the calf off feed.  Experience has been a great teacher for the old heads on this thread.

Jill is right on with what she has told you and no one has given you bad advice.  But there are things you need to tell this group so they can give you better advice.  Age of the calf, when is the show, weight, desired weigh, etc.

 

[JoeDirt]

Hey All thanks for all the advice

The calf is a march 16 and came from a first time heifer.
he weighs 590 on Nov 8th


Our first show is March and fair Aug 1

With all that said Joe Boy I just want to know how to get more gut or depth in a calf.

I thought there might be some other trick to get more gut and depth with max weight gain.  I knew about waht Jill said and Knew about beet pulp,,,But when you are growing a calf you want to get it Fat asap and hold in the end.  So I thought maybe sme might know something that i did not know.

I am feeding grain, Winning Fill by Kent and free hay

Thanks I hope this might work for more info Joe

 

[WFCC]

my best advice is to let him fill out on his own. sun glo FULL TANK is a top dress that you feed 2-5lbs per day depending on how much ur trying to fill out your calf.  I wouldn't recommend using that until a month before your first show. feed your calf to grow it and give it all the hay it wants, then when a month before the show try FULL TANK along with beat pulp if desired.