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Bunk sample

S

Stretch

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Dec 19, 2006
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Location
Se Nebraska
I have been mixing my own ration for my calves and have been trying some different combinations and was wondering what you thought of my results..?? The mix is for my calves 6-700 lb Hefers and steers. I will list the samples first as the sample is and then the dry basis.. They are two different combinations of ingredients. The first one they were really loose and the second they are more in line to what I am hoping to see more on the firm side.
sample 1 ----------- sample 2
Moisture -- 12.68 - 0 ------ 13.43 -- 0
DM -- 87.32 - 100 ------ 86.57 - 100
CP -- 11.5 - 13.2 ------ 12.2 - 14.1
ADF -- 4.3 - 4.9 ------ 10.1 - 11.6
TDN -- 77.2 - 88.4 ------ 70.6 - 81.5
NEM -- 86.86 - 99.47 ------ 78.06 - 90.17
NEG -- 59.82 - 68.51 ----- 52.47 - 60.60
NEL -- 81.04 - 92.81 ----- 73.72 - 85.15
Ca -- .12 - .14 ------ .57 - .66
P -- .39 - .45 ------ .38 - .44

They are recieving this at about 1.25 lbs per 100 and all the prarie hay they want. Does this look even close to what they should really be getting for a 1.5-2lb or so per day rate of gain. I am open for suggestions. Thanks
 
Either suppliment should work Stretch.

You really didn't post a bunk sample, as it isn't the whole diet of the calves.

To determine the real diet, we would need a hay sample as well, and an approximate amount they are consuming.

From a rough guess, the first sample was short on ADF and that made them loose. The energy is close to that of corn or wheat, the second is closer to barley but with an added protien source like DDG or wheat mids.

At 1.25 pounds per 100 they are getting a decent suppliment and unless the hay is way deficient they should be putting on some flesh. Genetics will determine the conversion.
 
The calves are doing well and they seem to be content. You are right the first ration made them really loose and the second has solved that problem. I had a chance to talk to a local feed guy and his thought was that he was glad to see that I had altered the mix as the first was hot enough that the calves could've been hurt by eating it for very long. He felt that the mix I have now will be sufficient for a growing feed but not to over feed it so they get fleshy. He liked about 1 lb per 100 and also he though I might want to add more calcium. His idea was that the calcium to Phoshorus ratio should be in the 1-1 or 2-1 Cal-Phos. I am guessing that is to make sure that the frame of the calf gets enough calcuim to make it keep up with growth. I appreciate eveyones ideas as it is a new direction for me (making my own feed up) use to just have someone bring out what we needed. I got ahold of a 750 Jd grinder mixer with a hay table on it and so it has really given me a lot more options as to what I want to feed. However I have a lot to learn about finding the right mix to make them grow right. BTW the first ration had mostly Corn and DDG with the free choice PHay and the second had a mix of Corn, Alfalfa and a little DDG and the PHay. Anyway thanks again.
 
Stretch...A feed mixer is a great investment...WE went all out and got a twin auger Supreme.....It adds tons of versatility...Getting feed mixed is one thing, getting mixed feed to cattle will vary from place to place....

As I read my witing I thought about some things i have noticed....That more and more feedlot things are finding thier way to the ranch....

20 years ago, it was the rare ranch that you found a hydraulic chute on....Granted, i fed calves on avery small level, but 20 odd years ago, feed mixing was something found mainly in feedlots...Other than a hay chopper, I seldom say anything on the ranches around here. Pretty much load alfalfa onto a flatbed and flake it off the end.....The Hay choppers kinda came with the advent of big round bales and big One ton squares...Seems like some of the equipment ot lift and feed made it not much of a stretch to add chopping features..But mixing wasn't near what I can do with my Supreme...

Why is there this shift of euipment that used to be pretty much feedlot???I see several things....More cows per ranch...A lot of 150-200 cow ranches when I was a kid...Most are at least 300 cows now...Labor cost and availabilty has changed...Age of the Producer....Most guys need to have equipment to gain leverage over beast and feed...

So, if you have read this far......The point I am making...Transfer of the things appropriate for a feedlot that will work on a ranch...All feedlots have a nutritionist advising...Either hired full time or as a consultant....Stretch, find one to work with you....As your cattle grow, the goals and needs change. You might find it is not a "stretch" to finish them out yourself.....

PPRM
 
PPRM
The point I am making...Transfer of the things appropriate for a feedlot that will work on a ranch...All feedlots have a nutritionist advising...Either hired full time or as a consultant....Stretch, find one to work with you....As your cattle grow, the goals and needs change. You might find it is not a "stretch" to finish them out yourself.....
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You know PPRM I have given your comments a lot of thought and I couldn't agree with you more when you talk about the transfer of things from feedlot to ranch. I have to wonder if part of it is that the smaller equipment that the feed lot doesn't use/traded off for bigger was affordable to the local rancher and he decided to give it a try. I also agree that a nutritionist is key to gettimg maximum growth of the animals . The downfall is with the size of my operation I am not really sure how to afford/hire a worthy advisor. I have a local "feed guy" that has been good about helping me get on the right track, but in the back of my mind I wonder how good his advice is. As far as finishing out cattle on my own that would be a real "stretch" as my facilities and equipment are not really up to what I am thinking a good feeding operation should be. Not to mention that with a job that takes the best 40 hrs out of my week away from home I can see the potential for a real train wreck. Maybe I am just trying to over analize the idea and should just go for it but I want to look at the whole picture not just the frame if you know what I mean... I really appreciate the help and hope I can put it to good use..
 
Shorthornguy
Suggestion. Have your hay tested. Then feed accordingly. It is much cheaper and more profitible to put up higher quality hay then to support the feed mill.
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I couldn't agree more with you. I always try to put up the best hay I can be it Alfalfa or Prarie Hay. We all fall short of the top of the line hay from time to time but I figure if I shoot for the best I should come close most of the time. I am seeing more and more the value of feed tests. Dad was never big on testing anything but I have learned very quickly that a simple test can tell you more in a few minutes than you can learn in a year and the cost is way less than a poorly fed critter would cost you.
 

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