“Feedlot Finishing Rations”
by Chris Reinhardt, feedlot specialist
The decision to feed calves on beyond the growing phase through to finish should not be taken lightly. Depending on the economics, some producers may elect to sell all the calves after growing, sell some calves after the growing phase and finish the remaining calves, or finish the entire group. But some form of price risk protection should be considered. Also, even if future price is protected, performance risk is still a factor—the unexpected blizzard will throw all our performance projections out the window.
The composition of the finishing ration will depend primarily upon two factors: ingredient availability and mixing facilities. If mixing facilities are not available, you may decide to finish the cattle on a self-feeder, which necessitates a dry ration which will flow through a gravity system. If you have excellent mixing facilities you may wish to include wet forages and/or wet grain by-products. NOTE: Some feed wagons have been used for mixing and do not do an adequate job of mixing feed. Improperly mixed rations can lead to disastrous consequences in performance and potentially lead to death by acidosis.
As discussed previously, roughage level should be determined by the other ingredients fed, quality of mixing facilities, and experience of those feeding the cattle. Many feeders have started feeding cattle using a 12-15% roughage level the first year, and slowly decreased their roughage level as experience taught them lessons. Diets high in grain by-products (≥30% on a dry-matter basis) may facilitate a reduction in roughage level, but only if experience and facilities make that possible.
Next month: Bunk management
