Show Feed

[Ruchian]

      I know that a lot people like to mix their own feed, but I don't have the time, or knowledge of what all does what , to do this.  I was wandering what feeds people liked.  In my area Show Master, Show Chow and Show Maker are about all that is available.  I used Show Master last year and ended up taking 2nd in my class because of a swollen hock. 

 

[frostback]

Are you blaming the swollen hock on the feed?

 

[Ruchian]

No.  I'm saying that if it wasn't for the swollen hock I would have placed first using that feed.

 

[pigguy]

show chow and show master are good feeds dont know about show maker. i would go with which other is cheaper in your area

 

[red]

I use Kalmbach Feeds. I like their consistancy & quality.
Don't always go w/ the cheapest feed. Go w/ the one that has the best consistancy, background/record & total package. Watch for mold, fines & drying out.

Red

 

[pigguy]

no i meant since he has showmaster and show chow in his area both are good feeds. so just go with which ever is cheaper out of the 2 feeds

 

[insurance guy]

Honestly, we have used them all.  Showmaster, Show Chow, Umbarger, Honor, etc.  The best feed we have had and what we are using now comes from the local feed mill.  Call up the feed person there, tell them what you are looking for and they shoudl be able to come up with a ration that works for you.

The nice part about that is as the calves grow you can adjust the ration to meet the demands of the calves.  If you are feeding any of the commercially bagged feed you do not get to adjust the ration; you just get the same mix as every other person feeding that feed.

Plus, your cost per ton will be about half any of the other feeds you mentioned.

 

[NHR]

We have fed Showmaster, ShowChow, MFM (Martindale), and Evergreen (Kent) First Rate Show  Feeds. Of all the feeds Evergreen has been the best for us and is usually a little less expensive then Showmaster. Show Chow can be pretty expensive. MFM is cheap but we experienced inconsistency with it especially during the winter.

Evergreen
www.evergreenmills.com

Acco Show Master
www.accofeeds.com

Martindale Feed
http://www.martindalefeed.com/

 

[Ruchian]

I will probably keep using showmaster, but what all should I be adding to it? (supplements, minerals, etc.)

 

[pigguy]

maybe some calfmana, but otiher then that nothing

 

[Ruchian]

Of all the supplements is Calfmanna what most of you are using?

 

[pigguy]

im not saying only to use calf manna, but it depends on what you are feeding a supp. for. if for muscle i would be using show cattle explosion. if growing hair i would be useing shag or grow n shine, but if the calf dosent need anything real specail i woul dbe usein gcal fmanna to kep the hair in good condition. i awsume you are tryin to decide what to feed your steer?

 

[Ruchian]

Yes it is for my steer.  One of the main things i have problems with is getting really good hair so I want something that will help with that.  He has a lot of hair now but I usually have problems kepping it.  Other than that he shouldn't need anything special.

 

[pigguy]

ok well this winter i would feed him some calf manna this winter and then when it starts to get in the 70s (march or april) and start giving him grown shine and he will have very good hair. where are you located?

 

[Ruchian]

I'm in Southern Oregon.

 

[pigguy]

there are some sunglo dealers in southern Oregon, i would try to get some show cattle explosion from them it works great to put muscel on them.

 

[red]

My thought on feeding lots of different supplements are as follows: The feed is balanced by experts to do their job. If you add too much stuff you are actually unbalancing the ration. Nothing beats a good solid feed program, good mineral, fresh water & grassy hay. Keep w/ that & you can't go wrong.

Red

 

[shortyisqueen]

It might be worth learning how to mix your own rations though - or even having a feed specialist go over them with you. Then, when you look at the tag on the bag, you will know exactly what the each of the ingredients will do for your calf and you can get exactly the the right results from the type of calf you are feeding. No calf is the same, so why feed the same ration.  For me, its kinda like clipping - you can't give every calf the same haircut. You have to know what their weaknesses are so that you can modify the calf to be what you want. Until we all breed the perfect one, that is!!  ;D

 

[rick]

Has anyone ever tried Moorman's ShowTec Feeds by ADM Alliance? Thanks

 

[AAOK]

Moormans has the best packaged feeds on the market.  Their big problems are delivery and freshness.  The minerals are tops!

Now, to the original post: Listen to Red.  Supplements can be your worst enemy.  If you are not a Nutritionist, supplements will often do more harm than good.  A good, balanced ration formulated to what your calf needs (growth, fat, muscle, etc.) is all that is necessary to feed, with the exception of a QUALITY MINERAL! No blocks, and no cheap mineral.  The only other thing I would add, is I believe in getting a Show Calf started on their show ration as early as possible(2 -4 months), and I never take them off until they retire.

Dan