Choosing the right cattle finishing ration is critical in the final stages of beef production. There are a number of different kinds of feed available, and it is important to plan ahead when purchasing feed. You can purchase these feeds from your local feed store, but you will need to budget for them, because they can get expensive if you don’t plan your feed purchases. In general, finishing rations for British cattle require that cattle be fed until they weigh 1,150 to 1,300 pounds.
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Couser Cattle Company’s ration
The Couser Cattle Company is a multifaceted operation owned by Bill and Nancy Couser, located in Nevada, Iowa. They raise and finish around 6,000 head of cattle per year, and farm several thousand acres of corn, soybeans, and alfalfa. This family farm combines traditional farming practices with modern technologies to maximize profits and environmental performance.
In a study that was sponsored by the Sustainable Food Lab, Couser Cattle Company, and Practical Farmers of Iowa, Couser fed its cattle a ration containing 22% oats and a standard corn ration. The goal of the trial was to assess whether a higher percentage of oats would improve animal performance. The results showed that the ration with 22% oats did not lead to a statistical difference in carcass quality or body weight.
Campaign for Sweet Bran’s ration
A campaign to use sweet bran as a ration for finishing cattle has been gaining ground in recent years. This grass-based feed has been proven to increase carcass quality and nutrient content in beef cattle. The campaign has also been successful in reducing feedlot forage requirements. The benefits of using sweet bran in cattle feed are numerous.
Sweet Bran is produced by Cargill Corn Milling, an agricultural company, and it is an excellent source of digestible fiber. It has similar energy value to corn, and it has no negative impact on rumen acidosis. Cargill is now expanding on its existing Sweet Bran product with RAMP (Raw Animal Meat Products), a complete starter feed that includes alfalfa hay and cottonseed hulls.
Corn as a source of low-cost energy
Corn is an excellent source of low-cost energy in the cattle finishing ration. However, it has its limitations. If it is too expensive, cattle feeders should reduce corn and increase the amount of roughage in their ration. They should also study the performance of animals fed different feedstuffs.
Corn is one of the most common sources of energy in beef cattle diets. Its high starch content makes it relatively high in energy. It contains about nine percent CP and eighty percent TDN. However, high levels of corn in rations can cause rumen acidosis, which can be harmful to cattle.
Oats as a source of long fibre
Oats are an ancient grain that was used as a major feed source for livestock. Over the last seventy years, they were largely replaced by corn, but recent research has revived interest in growing oats. A study by Couser Cattle Company in Iowa evaluated the performance of finisher cattle fed oats. The study showed that oats increased the growth rate, reduced morbidity, and increased feed conversion efficiency.
Oats are rich in fiber and low in energy, making them an ideal addition to a cattle finishing ration. Since oats are high in hulls, they are particularly bulky and are able to replace a higher percentage of forage in the cattle’s diet. Ohio State University Extension suggests starting calves on oats at weaning. As they are low in energy, they do not add unnecessary weight, which is crucial for gaining muscle mass and body weight at finishing time.
Silage as a source of low-cost energy
Silage is a valuable source of low-cost energy for cattle finishing diets. It can be used as a low-cost source of protein, fat, and energy. Several studies have been performed to determine the effect of silage on a range of carcass measures, including dry matter intake, feed intake, and total dietary energy.
The protein content of silage varies greatly between crops. Typically, wheat silage contains nine to 11 percent protein by dry matter, while corn silage has about eight percent protein per pound. Silage can be stored in a variety of methods, including large upright silos or deep trench silos, which are oxygen-limiting and allow for the drier material to be stored. However, silage that is too dry will not exclude air, while silage that is too wet will lose soluble nutrients due to excessive seepage and result in an unpalatable silage with high butyric acid. To avoid these problems, silage must be properly chopped, with air and moisture removed. In open-air silos, plastic covers can be placed over the top of the silage to reduce the risk of spoilage.
Effects of oats on feed conversion
Effects of oats on cattle’s finishing performance in trials have been conducted on cattle. The results of this research suggest that oats are an excellent alternative to corn and other cereal grains in cattle finishing rations. They are cheaper to grow, and their higher fibre content may reduce the incidence of rumen acidosis. Oats are also superior to barley and wheat, with higher oil content.
The Sustainable Food Lab conducted a study that compared the effects of corn and oats on cattle finishing performance. The trial involved feeding two groups of cattle, one with 22% oats and the other with a standard corn ration. This trial aimed to answer the question of whether oats increase body weight and improve performance in cattle. However, the results were not statistically significant.
