Download - Practical feeding of finishing cattle
Practical feeding of finishing cattle
Dr. Mary Drewnoski
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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