There are several considerations to make regarding the feeding of a bull, especially if you want to maximize your profit. You should feed the bull only the right amount of feed to achieve the desired performance levels. You must ensure that the animal is not under or overdeveloped, and the feed must provide adequate energy for growth. The nutritional requirements of your bull depend on its growth stage and weight, so be sure to read all labels and consult your veterinarian for advice.
Nutrition requirements for yearling bulls
Yearling bulls need to gain about two pounds per day during the first breeding season, after which their nutrition needs are reduced. This is a common problem for yearling bull owners. If you have purchased a bull at a commercial establishment, you have likely developed him on a ranch or at a centralized bull test. You will need to maintain his weight gain at about two pounds per day during the first breeding season, and you can begin to introduce forages and minerals to his diet at a later time.
Before turning out yearling bulls, producers should assess their condition and decide on a winter feeding plan. A bull should have a Body Condition Score of about six, and should increase the amount of energy gradually as it gets thinner. Be careful not to increase energy too fast, as this could cause digestive upsets. Fat bulls should switch to a lower-energy ration, or lose weight by gaining more forage.
In general, the protein requirement of a yearling bull is about ten percent of his total diet. The protein content depends on the quality of his forage, but adding one pound of protein supplement a day to his grain will usually meet the protein requirement. In case of poor quality forage, you may need to administer an intramuscular injection of three million IU of vitamin A. This amount should be enough to sustain the bull’s liver stores for approximately 100 days.
Nutrition requirements for mature bulls at lower rates of gain
The nutritional needs of mature bulls at lower rates of gain should be adjusted to match the dietary resources available. This table provides information on the nutritional requirements of mature bulls in a lower gain stage. The nutrients provided by forage should be balanced to maintain moderate body condition. If a bull is too thin, a higher forage ration should be provided. The dietary needs of a mature bull at lower rates of gain should be adjusted according to the body condition.
The nutritional needs of mature bulls at lower rates of gain vary depending on the body weight of the individual. A bull’s protein requirement depends on his service schedule. The amount of protein needed for a given service is about 40 percent more than that of a dry cow. The metabolic energy requirements of a mature bull are lower than that of a small or medium-sized heifer. Moreover, fattening occurs more quickly in medium-sized bulls than in small-sized ones.
The nutritional needs of a mature bull at lower rates of gain increase as body weight increases. For example, a 1,700-pound bull with a daily gain rate of two pounds requires 34 pounds of dry matter and seven pounds of protein. The same bull can gain up to 45 pounds per day if he is fed a diet of seven pounds of dry matter and twenty pounds of grain daily. The feeding program should gradually increase in volume and quality as the bull grows older.
Feedstuffs for mature bulls at lower rates of gain
In order to develop breeding bulls, producers must consider several factors when selecting the rations. First, it should be noted that rations for mature bulls at lower rates of gain are more beneficial than those for younger bulls. Specifically, producers must consider under-nutrition, which may delay puberty, and over-nutrition, which can reduce semen production and quality. Genetic information is the basis for bull selection and breeding, but there are some general guidelines for feeding bulls.
In addition to regulating the rations, producers must also be aware of the amount of energy in the feed. Feedstuffs for mature bulls at lower rates of gain should contain about 2% more energy than average. A high energy level can increase the weight of a bull, but it will cause it to gain weight rapidly, while a lower energy level may reduce a bull’s height and scrotal circumference. A high-fit bull can be fatigued quickly, resulting in reduced service. Besides this, excessively conditioned bulls have the potential to fatigue easily and reduce the number of cows that can be serviced. The ideal condition level is six on a nine-point scale.
As for the rate of gain, it should be one-half to two pounds a day. The amount of supplementation depends on the quality and quantity of forage. The most appropriate method of developing a diet for mature bulls at lower rates of gain is to experiment with potential feeds and formulate a ration for each age group. Once the diet is determined, the bull can be stepped down and should gain about one to two pounds per day.
