Proper amount of grain

[mainecattlemother]

We have four show calves three of which we are getting ready to sell at expo I believe and the other will get shown at MN State Fair and then more than likely will be listed on an online sale. Prior to about two weeks ago everyone was getting Purina Grand 4T-Fyer and Precon at about 12 pounds a day. These calves range from Feb 25 to April 1. At someone's recommendation we took the state fair heifer off 4T-Fyer an put her on the Purina Complete bag as well as another heifer gets about 3/4 of the complete bag and 1/4 4T-Fyer. We are still feeding about 12 pounds a day. They are always hungry though and even though we don't want the state fair heifer fat we know to compete she needs to be fat. Keep in mind she has won almost every spring calf show she has been at but a local county person who judges also said to get her fat and she will compete with anything. Should we be doing more pounds a day?

 

[blackdirt cowboy]

I don't know much about the feeds you are feeding, but 12 pounds is a decent amount for heifers that age. If they are still hungry, make sure they get all the hay they want in addition to the feed you are giving them. Pictures would be helpful so that we could determine if the heifers are behind and need to be pushed or if their condition is good. I would rather keep a younger heifer on the leaner side of things. Nothing good comes out of getting a heifer too fat.

 

[OH Breeder]

We mill our feed and use the standard of 3% of total body weight consumption a day on grain. hay free choice. Do you feed them all separate or all at once? We also weigh calves frequently if you want to get an idea of how one is eating and gaining.

 

[mainecattlemother]

Thanks for the info. OH Breeder we are feeding each separate and all eat very well and seem to be hungry a lot. They have pretty much free run of hay at night. The two steers are short but some of that is genetics. They are the ones that seem to be fat but are not growing. I am afraid of stunting grow if we feed to heavy. I will try to snap some pics soon.

 

[OH Breeder]

Thanks for the info. OH Breeder we are feeding each separate and all eat very well and seem to be hungry a lot. They have pretty much free run of hay at night. The two steers are short but some of that is genetics. They are the ones that seem to be fat but are not growing. I am afraid of stunting grow if we feed to heavy. I will try to snap some pics soon.

If someone you know works with this feed type can tell you the protein ration would help. If you put them on a grower ration they will grow more than get fat. Since you feed separate it wouldn't be a problem. I feed 11% pretty much all the way through. If we have a heifer that looks slightly behind we will bump her 12% or little more.

 

[AAOK]

NEVER change a ration within 30 days of a show. 3% of body weight is the standard amount of feed for increasing weight. 2% is for holding.  Most packaged feeds are very similar, so you can add corn to gain, or add oats to back off/hold.