Download - Practical feeding of finishing cattle
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Practical feeding of finishing cattle
Dr. Mary Drewnoski
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When cattle reach the feedlot need to achieve the most rapid gain possible
High capital investment – time is money so must maximize gain◦ ADG 3 to 4 lb/d◦ F:G 6 to 7
High grain finishing diets typically result in the best performance and lowest cost of gain.
Feedlot nutrition
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Energy is usually what limits gain in finishing diet◦ Want to maximize energy and not get digestive
problems◦ Energy management is typically where problems
occur Acidosis, liver abscesses and bloat Ionophores pay big time
Feedlot nutrition
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Ration transition should not start until feeder cattle are settled in the feedlot and intakes have stabilized ◦ Start with 0.5 to 1% BW grain and work up to
finishing ration slowly (usually take 3-6 weeks) Making ration changes while intakes are
rapidly increasing, or moving cattle onto finishing diets too quick can result in acidosis that can reduce animal performance.
Transitioning cattle
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Forage quality is not an issue; very little fiber digestion on finishing diets◦ 5-9% eNDF (stimulate rumination)
Grain processing has a large impact on the economics of finishing cattle. ◦ Monitor it regularly.
Keep fines to a minimum Keep whole kernels to a minimum
Finishing ration
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High energy feedsGrain Maximum fed, % of DM Consideration
Corn grain 92Milo 92
Wheat 50 Acidosis can be a problem
Barley 90 Bloat can be a problem
Ground ear corn
95(If no forage fed)
High fiber
Rate of ruminal fermentation (if dry rolled)(Highest) Wheat, barley, corn, sorghum
(lowest)
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Fat supplements (Tallow, Vegetable-Animal Fat)◦ Increase energy concentration◦ Reduce dustiness◦ Limit to 5% of DM
Molasses◦ Increase energy concentration◦ Reduce dustiness◦ Limit to 5% of DM
High energy feeds
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Potato coproducts◦ A more slowly degradable source of starch than
corn◦ Lower in β-carotene, a source of vitamin A◦ Water content often limits use
Can range from 10 to 30% DM◦ The coproducts except the fried products, ensile
rapidly
High energy feeds
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1) potato peels
2) Screen solids (small potatoes and pieces);
3) fried product (fries, hash browns, batter, crumbles)
4)material from the water recovery systems (oxidation ditch, belt solids, filter cake)
High energy feeds
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Strive for consistency in feed delivery. ◦ This means exact ration formulas mixed for the
proper length of time. ◦ Enter ingredients in the same sequence each
load. ◦ Use a stop watch or a rotation counter to ensure
loads are consistently mixed.
Be consistent with time of feeding ◦ You don’t want to cause “unsureness” in the
cattle mind
Variation is the enemy
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Minimize crashes in intakes, reduce waste, and achieve and maintain maximum intakes by following a disciplined protocol of feed increases.◦ Prescribed feeding (slick bunk management)
Feed to match cattle appetites
Variation is the enemy
Score Description0 No feed remaining in bunk.1/2 Scattered feed present. Most of bottom of
bunk exposed1 Thin uniform layer of feed across bottom of
bunk.Typically about 1 kernal deep.
2 25-50% of previous feed remaining.3 Crown of feed is thoroughly disturbed. >50%
of feed remaining.4 Feed is virtually untouched. Crown of feed
still noticeable.
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Want them to have cleaned up within the hour◦ Is it still wet?
Slow and steady wins the race If score is zero for 2
or 3 days then increase the feed delivered to cattle by 5-10 percent
Bunk score 0
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If the score is two or more, reduce the feed offered by 5-10 percent.
Scores constantly in the 2 to 3 range may lead to feed wastage
Clean up spoiled feed
Bunk score 2
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Use the bunk scores but also have feed truck drivers record aggression scores
Want 25:50:25◦ 25% in pen at bunk ready to eat◦ 50% coming to the bunk (simulated by the truck)◦ 25% milling around not ready to eat
If more at bunk need to feed more If more milling around need to feed less
Making feed calls
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Efficiencies decline and costs increase as cattle get heavier.
It is estimated that profitability per head decreases $1 for each day cattle are fed past the finish point.
Market at the right time