Feeder calves are raised in stages. After weaning they are backgrounded on forage and a small amount of grain, then moved gradually to a higher-grain ration to finish. The main rule is to change feeds slowly so the rumen can adapt.
Stage 1: Receiving and weaning
Newly weaned or newly purchased calves are stressed and may eat poorly for a few days. Offer good-quality hay, clean water and a palatable starter ration, and work with a vet on vaccinations and health plans. Watch for coughing, runny noses, diarrhea or calves that hang back from the bunk, since respiratory disease is common after shipping.
Stage 2: Backgrounding and growing
The growing stage builds frame and muscle. Diets are mostly forage, such as hay, pasture or silage, with a protein and mineral supplement and some grain if needed. Calves in this stage commonly gain around 1.5 to 2.5 pounds a day, depending on feed quality and weather. Dry matter intake is generally in the neighborhood of 2.5 to 3 percent of body weight, though it varies with age, feed and weather.
- Offer free-choice clean water and a mineral mix made for cattle.
- Match protein to calf size. Younger calves need more protein than older ones.
- Give calves enough bunk space so smaller animals are not pushed out.
Stage 3: Finishing
In the finishing stage calves put on fat and reach market weight. Grain makes up more of the ration, often shifting from a mostly forage diet toward a half-and-half mix and beyond on commercial feedlots. A small farm might use something like a 50:50 grain and roughage mix as a conservative target.
Make the switch gradually over about two to three weeks, increasing grain a little every few days. A rapid change to high grain can lead to acidosis, bloat and founder. Learn more about managing starch in feeding cattle a feed rich in starch.
Feeding management tips
- Feed at the same times each day.
- Check the bunk each morning. If it is empty, increase feed slightly. If a lot is left, cut back.
- Keep feed fresh and remove spoiled feed.
- Provide roughage even on high-grain rations.
- Weigh a sample of calves regularly to track gains.
Finding feeder calves
Buy from reputable sources such as auction barns, ranches or backgrounders, and ask about vaccination history, weaning date and health records. Calves that have been weaned for a few weeks and vaccinated usually do better than calves taken straight from the cow. A vet can help you set up a health program.
Bottom line
Start calves on forage and water, build up to grain slowly, and watch intake and health daily. Slow changes protect the rumen and give better gains. You can compare finishing feeds in the best cattle finisher feed and learn what feedlots feed in what feedlot cattle eat.
This is general information. Work with a livestock veterinarian and nutritionist for your herd.
