Feeding replacements

[just a small guy]

We usually buy hiefers to background and sell in the spring for replacements. Have been feeding alfalfa/grass hay and a little barley to get 1.5- 1.7 # gain. This year with the price of hay being higher, I'm thinking of buying oats and feeding 5#'s either lightly rolled or whole to supliment the hay in energy and feed. Will be buying about 600# calves. I'm open to any and all comments. Is this too much oats? Am I going to gain anything by trying this manouver? Comments please.

 

[little bow rancher]

oats are good there's alot of people that use them ,there safe to use you don't have to roll them and there just a little lower in energy .

 

[cowsense]

Oats may be one of the most economical feeds available this winter and they don't need to be processed for calves.

 

[Faster horses]

I think oats make great feed. Because of rumen microbes, I believe the rule of thumb is to feed under 5# or over 10#.

 

[Kato]

For replacements, oats are always the best. 8) Barley can be a little bloaty if you have too much alfalfa in your hay too.