Whether you are starting a calf crop or are looking to expand your cattle herd, there are several different types of grower feed for cattle to choose from. While it is important to find a product that will work well for your specific breed and lifestyle, there are some key considerations that you should take into consideration.
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Purina All-Natural Protein Stocker Grower
Using all-natural feed is a good choice when it comes to ensuring that your calves get the nutrition they need to grow. Aside from the protein and vitamins and minerals they need, you’ll also get the benefit of a balanced diet from every meal. In addition to the obvious feed grains like corn, soybean hulls, and ground corn, you’ll get an extra shot of vitamins and minerals like calcium and zinc.
Aside from all-natural feed, you may also want to consider using a protein supplement like Purina’s Stocker Grower. This high-energy, high-protein supplement will keep your calves in tip-top shape while they’re on the pasture. This supplement is also fortified with trace minerals such as boron and calcium to promote maximum forage utilization.
One-Step Calf Grower
Getting your show calf ready to show requires proper feeding and nutrition. Whether you’re a cattle professional or just a cattle owner, it’s important to understand the basics of feeding cattle.
Typically, show cattle eat diets that are high in grains. Corn is the most common cereal grain. Corn is normally cracked, but it should not be ground. Ground cereal grains can cause digestive upset.
One-Step Calf Feeds are highly palatable, heavily fortified calf rations. They are designed to reduce feed waste and promote calf growth. During the growing stage, a calf should consume 1.5 percent of its body weight as grains. The amount of grain should increase by 10 percent every 5 to 7 days. Increasing grain intake is especially important when a calf is gaining at a faster rate.
Sunglo(r) Show Calf Grower
Whether you are a livestock showman, breeder or a rancher, Sunglo(r) Show Calf Grower can help unlock your calf’s potential. It is designed to provide the nutrients a calf needs during the growing stages. It contains time-tested Sunglo vitamins and minerals, advanced protein levels, and amino acid blends to promote growth, improve muscle development and ensure the health of your calf. It is a medicated, textured, and complete feed, and is designed for calf from weaning to approximately 900 pounds.
For calves that are older, Sunglo(r) Full Body(tm) can be used as a receiving ration or as the top dress feed. It is a complete feed that is high in fiber and promotes healthy rumen microbial populations. It is also highly palatable, and helps to promote healthy appetite in calf.
NutreBeef
Using NutreBeef grower feed is a great way to keep your cattle healthy and thriving. The products are specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of cattle in all phases of their lives. This includes the growth phase, weaning, finishing and shedding. Aside from feed, it is important to feed the cattle a clean and fresh source of water. In general, the cows should consume a minimum of 2.5 to 3.0% of their body weight in food. If you’re planning to start a breeding program, it’s best to feed your calves a minimum of 1.5 to 2.0 pounds of feed per day. The goal is to maintain body condition score of five to seven at calving time.
To keep your cattle happy, you’ll need to give them the best feed you can afford. Aside from grain, the NutreBeef line of products includes a calf growth supplement. This is a high-energy textured feed that supports growth after weaning. The ingredients in the feed include soybean oil, calcium carbonate, rice hulls and roughage products.