Steer getting taller, but not filling out.

[LindseysMaine_Angus]

I have a PB Angus steer that I am feeding close to 30# of feed to per day plus unlimited hay. He is getting taller but he is not filling out. He's a big calf and would look a lot better if he could put maybe more weight/fat on? He's close to 800#. He still handles green to me. (Not a lot of fat over the ribs) pic is 10 days old. Any tips or opinions?

 

[vc]

Look at your feed, he may need more calories, and a little less protein. Do you have him on a worming regimen, about every 45 days?
Do you feed twice a day or once?
What feed mix or ratio are you feeding?

 

[LindseysMaine_Angus]

Yes I worm once a month, infact I just wormed him today. I am feeding 50% Breeder Grower and 50% Cattle Blaster from Umbarger. I feed 2x a day.

 

[vc]

I would add Stabilized rice bran to his diet to increase the fat content. 30 pounds seems to be a lot for a 800 pound calf, that is close to 4 percent of his body weight, I would guess he is he is wasting some of that feed, (just going right on through)

If it were me I would cut it back to 12 pounds of feed and 1 pound of SRB a feeding along with the hay. Studies show that calves on limited rations tend to gain more  or at least convert at a better ratio. Weigh the feed to make sure you know exactly how much he is eating.

 

[LindseysMaine_Angus]

Yes I weigh it. He eats it fast, doesn't leave any, and doesn't dump it. It's about 25 pounds, I weighed it again tonight.

 

[GoWyo]

Might just be his growth pattern.  Seems like Angus are more prone to growing frame and having a lanky look until they hit about 10 months of age then will finally muscle up.

 

[LindseysMaine_Angus]

Basically he's going to grow then he'll get chubby? Then he'll grow again?

 

[LindseysMaine_Angus]

He is about 9 months old

 

[vc]

Sounds about right, if you'r use to the cluby steers who stay chuby through their whole growth process it can be a little alarming. At the end he should be fine.

 

[RyanChandler]

You can put fat on before frame on any calf at any weight.  The simplest way to get your calf to carry more cover is to increase the energy level of the total ration: reduce the amount of low energy hay he is consuming and replace that poundage with a concentrated feed, preferably a 5% fat finisher like show chow. Both of the feeds you're feeding are considered growers.  Your calf would do better replacing these feeds with the finisher of your choice, as well. 

 

[CAB]

  Just in general I have decided not to try to comment on any posts regarding rations / diet because it seems that there are about as many opinions on that topic as there are people on the site, that being said, do we really want an 800lb calf to be putting finish on? Shouldn't the calf be at least a little "green"?

 

[WT]

I'm fighting the exact opposite right now. We have a 13 month old steer that has grown just about an inch taller since early June but has gained nearly 300#. Short and fat.

I'd like to give you some advice but I'm obviously doing something wrong lol

 

[LindseysMaine_Angus]

His end show is the end of July if that makes a difference?

 

[vc]

In the picture he looks like he is balanced and growing fine, he does not look like there is anything going on you should be concerned with. Add a little fat supplement to his feed and keep feeding him, I think you are going to be fine. When he gets up to about 1000 pounds switch him to a finisher.
I remember having calves do what he is doing, grow, fatten up, grow, always seemed to hit a growth spurt right before a show, but in the end they fattened up just fine. 

 

[LindseysMaine_Angus]

I really appreciate all the help! Pic taken yesterday:

 

[WT]

That's a little better picture. He looks good to me and I'd bet he's going to take off when he hits about 950 or so. He just needs a little time is all

 

[GoWyo]

He looks right on schedule to me weight-wise and condition for an 800# Angus steer to finish end of July.  He might be finished by the first of July and can coast at that point.

 

[LindseysMaine_Angus]

That's good to hear! Thanks!

 

[RyanChandler]

  do we really want an 800lb calf to be putting finish on? Shouldn't the calf be at least a little "green"?

No ones advocating putting a half inch fat on the calf at this point but if a calf is underconditioned relative to his frame, then he needs to be on a higher energy ration than what a grower offers. After seeing the picture, that doesn't seem to be the case with this calf--

 

[LindseysMaine_Angus]

So he's right on track?