what do i feed my new calves?

Justin SE IOWA · Jun 16, 2011

I just got 2 calves. They are about 300 lbs. They were weined off the bottle 2 days ago. They are on a 1/2 acre of pasture and I am feeding them CREEP. I went to the local feed co-op and this is what they told me to do. I am raising them to butcher. I am new to raising calves so I am in need of positive advice. If you have nothing nice to say please dont respond.

IaGary · Jun 16, 2011

The local coop won't stear you wrong.

Sounds like the right start to me.

Make sure they have plenty of fresh water also.

Gary

okierob · Jun 16, 2011

they will need some roughage/hay also.

LAA · Jun 17, 2011

The best and probably cheapest ration in your neck of the woods is going to be 50/50 ground corn and Alfalfa hay, the hay can be fed in a rack or ground together with the corn. If you have plenty of good pasture they don't need much else for the growing stage, you can plan now to plant whatever fall pasture does good in your area, maybe oats and clover or something similar and it will cut your feed bill by a wide margin. Also depends on the weight you want to butcher at, if you plan to butcher as hevy calves, 600 plus pounds or so then they should be on corn now, if you are growing them out to 1200 lbs then take the cheap route with pasture.

msb · Jun 17, 2011

Does the creep feed have mole a$$es in it? Helps keep them eating.

TMo · Jun 17, 2011

Feed a ration of 80% forage and 20% grain with 10-12% protein supplement to start out with. Then 30-45 days before slaughter, finish them out on 80% grain with 10-12% protein supplement and 20% forage. General rule of thumb is they will eat 2.5% of their body weight on a dry matter basis.

Justin SE IOWA · Jun 17, 2011

What about a salt block or a mineral block? Maybe loose mineral?

Kow Farmer · Jun 17, 2011

Hi Justin,
Are you going to be buying your feed for these calves or grind your own? The reason I am asking is because if you have a good trustworthy feed mill or local coop, consult with a cattle nutritionist. Just like a good vet, they can be your best friends for advice for caring for your calves. I myself purchase all my feed from a great local feedmill that mixes my rations for me. I feed out X bred black angus steers from when I get them around 400 lbs. or so. I feed cracked shell corn with DDG's (dried distillers grains) to my steers all the way to market-1300 to 1400 lbs. One thing to be very careful of is BLOATING! Be careful how you feed them from the beginning. Start with small amounts and increase their poundage as they grow. I know there is a product called Rumensin that stops bloating. So talk to your local feed dealer. Get to know them well. I also feed a granular mineral and salt block. They can get this anytime as it is in the feed manger for them all the time. Best of luck to you. I enjoy raising cattle very much, especially on pasture. I hope you will too. Take care.
Kow Farmer

Kow Farmer · Jun 17, 2011

Justin,
I forgot to tell you I feed my steers a pasture mix grass hay also. Good luck.
Kow Farmer

TMo · Jun 18, 2011

Yes it is good to give them access to a salt and mineral block too.

If you want a recipe for a good ration that can be mixed, call your County Extension office for a fact sheet or recommendation.

what do i feed my new calves?

Justin SE IOWA

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IaGary

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okierob

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LAA

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msb

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TMo

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Justin SE IOWA

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Kow Farmer

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Kow Farmer

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TMo

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