Tips for Starting Cattle
Jeff Pastoor, Beef Consultant, Land O’Lakes Farmland Feeds
Beeflinks.com
How we start cattle in the lot will affect how they perform for the remainder of the feeding period.
The objectives for starting cattle are to get the cattle eating well and to keep the cattle healthy. The driving force for keeping cattle healthy is nutrient intake that supports the immune system and relieves stress. The bottom line is that dry matter intake is the most important driving force for healthy, high performing cattle and the lowest cost of gain.
Here are some tips to follow to reach the goal of getting a great start:
1. Long stem hay. Feed alone for the first 12 hours. Grass hay is preferred. Put it in the bunk, after the cattle arrive, to attract them to the bunk. After the first 12 hours, you can deliver some total mixed ration on top of the dry hay. Do not free choice hay in a round bale feeder, some cattle will eat too much hay and not enough starting ration resulting in poor health and performance.
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