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Forage
When considering what type of feed to use for your cattle, try to feed them grass as much as possible. This is beneficial for their health and helps them process their feed more effectively. The high protein in grasses encourages strong growth, which produces healthy meat. Cattle that are not fed grass have a higher risk of digestive problems and slow growth, which leads to energy depletion.
In addition to grass and forage, you can also feed your cattle distillers’ grains. This is a low-cost source of protein and energy. The cost of this feed is much less than the cost of baled corn residue.
Commercial feeds
When it comes to raising cattle, feeding commercial feeds to your herd can put significant weight on your cows. Depending on the age and type of ration you use, this process can take anywhere from 80 to 300 days. The first step in making your cattle healthy and productive is to ensure that they are getting the nutrition they need.
Generally, cattle should be getting about eight ounces of mineral and four ounces of salt each day. It is important to provide enough salt so that they don’t overeat. A good mineral mix will contain 15 to 22 percent of salt, and 14 percent of magnesium. It is also important to avoid B vitamins as they are not required in grazing cattle, and they will actually increase the cost of the supplement.
Liquid whey
If you are looking for a natural way to put weight on cows, consider feeding them whey. Whey is a rich source of energy and is equal to barley and corn in protein. It can replace up to 30% of the dry matter in a cow’s diet. For the best results, feed whey daily to your cows. It helps improve their palatability and texture, and it is also an excellent dust control in feedlot rations.
Depending on the amount of whey you feed, you can choose acid or sweet whey. Acid whey contains a high percentage of lactose and is highly digestible. However, it can cause digestive upset in older cows and may also be toxic to pigs. It is also high in salt, which can cause a problem for your cattle.
Distiller’s grains
The price of corn dropped this year after a bumper crop forecast, and some livestock producers now prefer distillers grains as their primary source of protein and energy for finishing cattle and stock cows. However, there are drawbacks to using distillers grains for livestock production, such as their low nutrient value.
However, it is important to note that high levels of distillers grain can be detrimental to animal health and the environment. The feed can have toxic levels of phosphorus, sulfur, and sodium, which can contribute to animal health problems. It is therefore important to limit its intake to avoid environmental concerns.
Corn silage
If you’re trying to decide which feed to use, corn silage can be an excellent choice. Using silage at a 40% portion of a cow’s diet is considered appropriate for beef cattle. Its cost is also comparable to other feeds. For a more accurate cost estimate, look at feed prices in your area.
In most feedyard finishing rations, a minimum of five percent corn silage is included. This percentage was once a good choice because corn was expensive and the addition of corn silage made sense at the time. But according to Professor Galen Erickson of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, adding silage to rations can decrease feed conversion and gain by up to 11.4 percent. In addition, cows that consumed silage were less fat and marbled than cows fed with conventional feed.
High-energy rations
While high-energy rations for putting weight onto cows can be cost-effective, there are risks associated with them. The use of high-energy feeds can cause acidosis or even death in animals that are not accustomed to it. It is also important to follow the recommended feeding schedule and monitor the animals’ performance. If weight gain is not achieved in a timely fashion, rations should be changed to increase the rate of gain.
For four weeks, use a ration with 14 percent crude protein and 0.65 to 1.0 percent calcium, phosphorus, and salt. After the first two weeks, reduce the amount of potassium in the ration. You may also consider adding vitamin supplements to the ration. The ration’s crude protein content depends on the energy content.
Custom-blended rations
Dairy cows require a balanced diet to stay healthy. Custom-blended rations are formulated to meet their nutritional needs and the requirements of the various stages of the lactation process. They should be fed a diet with a mix of forage, minerals, fat, and vitamins. Some rations may contain coproducts such as molasses, which enhances the palatability of the ration.
For example, if a cow’s weight is expected to increase in a week, the feed should be increased by five to 10 percent. For a more consistent weight gain, the ration should include at least 50 percent fermented feeds such as brewers grain or silage. The ration should also include adequate protein and salt content.