When it comes to feeding your cows the correct wagyu finishing feed, there are several factors to consider. These include Grass-based diets, Creep feeding, High energy ingredients, and Humane treatment of the cows. In this article, we will discuss these factors and provide some tips for choosing the right wagyu finishing feed.
Grass-based diet
A grass-based diet for wagyu cattle is a good choice for those who are concerned about the quality of the meat produced by these cows. This diet is high in protein and provides the body with the building blocks of muscle. This type of diet is also low in calories. The meat produced by wagyu cows has high levels of vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids.
A grass-based diet for wagyu finishing cattle has a higher protein level and may also increase marbling. It also improves digestion and absorption of starch. Generally speaking, a grass-based diet should provide a minimum of 16% dry matter protein per day for young calves and 40% hay or veld grass for wagyu cattle. Whether or not this diet is a good choice for your cattle depends on a variety of factors, but consistency is critical.
Another advantage of a high hay diet for wagyu cattle is its ability to increase the amount of fat in the meat. Although humans can manufacture most types of fat, they cannot produce the essential fatty acids like linoleic and palmitic acids. These two fatty acids are especially beneficial for human health and can be found in wagyu beef. Increasing consumer demand for marbled beef has created a great opportunity for Wagyu breeders.
High-energy ingredients
A typical Wagyu finishing feed contains high-energy ingredients such as grain, hay and wheat. These ingredients are often imported from abroad. These ingredients contribute to the high cost of Wagyu production. Most Wagyu cows are weighed once a month, and they gain about 2.5 pounds per day on average.
The beef industry in Japan relies on imported grain and feed, which is not suited to Japanese Wagyu cattle. Many of these grains may contain viruses and other pathogens. A contaminated feed could also introduce a host of new viral diseases that are unknown to the cattle.
A high-energy diet can stimulate fat production in cattle. Although the body is able to produce most types of fat, it cannot produce essential fatty acids. Among the essential fatty acids, linoleic acid is considered to have the greatest health benefits. Wagyu beef is a rich source of linoleic acid. The increased demand for marbled beef has created an excellent opportunity for Wagyu breeders to make the most of this.
