Lecture 23-24: Feeding Beef Cattle

Question 1

goals for beef cattle

Answer 1

➢ 90-95% calf crop weaned
➢ Calves that weigh over 500 lbs at 205 d
weaning
➢ Calves that will gain 2.5 lbs/d or more in the
feedlot
➢ Minimize costs – constantly search for
unconventional cheap feeds
➢ Optimize forage utilization

Question 2

what are the factors to consider when formulating beef cattle diets?

Answer 2

• nutrient & additive balance
• source of protein & energy ingredients
• performance program desired
• mixing & handling characteristics of the diet/ingredients

Question 3

body condition scoring:
score 1
score 6
score 9

Answer 3

score 1: sick/weak
score 6: high moderate
score 9: extremely fat

Question 4

feeding newborn calfs

Answer 4

• milk with colostrum from the mother
• graze grass in the pasture with mother

Question 5

creep feeding advantages & disadvantages

Answer 5

advantages:
* Heavier weaning weight (30-50lbs more)
* Less cow weight loss

disadvantages:
* Higher feed requirement
* Higher feed cost
* Overcondition replacement females

Question 6

what is the creep diet?

Answer 6

▪ 80-90% grain
▪ 0-10% protein (SBM)
▪ 3-5% molasses

Question 7

creep feed only if…

Answer 7

➢ Maximum calf weight at weaning
➢ selling calves at weaning
➢ planning to feed calves on high
energy ration
➢ Pastures are poor
➢ Calves are young and/or thin
➢ Calves are fall-born
➢ Calves are in dry lot
➢ Calves are weaned early
➢ Grain is cheap and cattle prices are high

Question 8

DON”T creep if…

Answer 8

➢You plan to winter calves on high
roughage rations
➢Cows are good milkers and pasture is
abundant
➢Grain is expensive and calves are
cheap

Question 9

how do you feed post-weaning calves?

Answer 9

➢ Feed: free choice hay plus 3-4 lbs grain/day
➢ Adjust feeding levels for:
▪ Cattle condition
▪ Cattle frame size
▪ Feed wastage
▪ Environment
▪ Feeding intentions

Question 10

how do you feed heifers of 6-12 months?

Answer 10

▪ Summer: Forage (pasture, hay, silage) free choice – 3-6 lb.
grain/day
▪ Winter: Hay or silage or both – 3-6 lb. grain/day
▪ Grain composition depends on forage composition.

Question 11

how do you feed heifers of 12-22 months?

Answer 11

▪ Summer: Forage is usually sufficient (pasture and hay if
needed)
▪ Winter: Hay or silage free choice.
▪ Grain or supplement only if forage is poor.

Question 12

how do you feed heifers of 22-24 months?

Answer 12

▪ Forage – pasture, hay, silage or combination
▪ Grain – 2-8 lb. gradually increased

Question 13

what is preconditioning for finishing beef cattle?

Answer 13

getting ready for shipment!

▪ Wean 30 days before shipping
▪ Blackleg and other vaccinations
▪ Castration; dehorning; grub control, deworming
▪ Accustomed to grain

Question 14

what is backgrounding for finishing beef cattle?

Answer 14

a cattle feeder purchases lightweight calves and develop them from:

~300 lbs to 600 or 700 lbs and then sells
them for finishing purposes

Question 15

what is the difference between preconditioning & backgrounding?

Answer 15

preconditioning: health

backgrounding: Body condition scoring

Question 16

what are the main minerals for finishing beef cattle?

Answer 16

• calcium
• phosphorus
• salt
• potassium
• sulfur

Question 17

why is calcium important for finishing?

Answer 17

▪ Adequate in forage-based rations
▪ Supplement with high concentrate rations
▪ Corn silage rations borderline
▪ Urinary calculi unless Ca:P > 2:1

Question 18

why is phosphorus important for finishing?

Answer 18

▪ Adequate in high concentrate rations
▪ Supplement all-roughage rations

Question 19

why is salt important for finishing?

Answer 19

▪ Supplement 0.25% of total ration or feed free
choice in block form

Question 20

why is fat bad for beef cattle?

Answer 20

the microbes would be killed depending on the amount of fat being consumed

Question 21

why is potassium important for finishing?

Answer 21

▪ Same as P
▪ Stressed calves may need 2X as much

Question 22

why is sulfur important for finishing?

Answer 22

▪ Generally adequate
▪ Supplement with NPN

Question 23

how do you feed yearling & 2-yr old bulls?

Answer 23

▪ Need additional management and feed to fully
develop

➢ Young bulls may need supplemental energy
(grain) during winter and grazing seasons.

Question 23

how do you feed mature bulls?

Answer 23

maintained on
same feeding program as cow herd, however
consider:
▪ Larger animal size
▪ Condition

Question 24

low-grade roughages for beef cows supplement with…

Answer 24

➢ Energy: Grain1-2 lb/day
➢ Protein: 1½ lb/day 35-44% CP
➢ Minerals: Free choice Ca, P, TM, salt
➢ Vitamin A: 20,000 IU/day

Question 25

what are the 3 set-ups hawaii beef production operates on?

Answer 25

▪ Cow-calf set up: calf produced to be exported and
finished on mainland
▪ Slaughter: calf raised on pastureland for commercial
slaughter
▪ Grass-finished beef production

Question 26

what are the affects from NPN utilization?

NON-PROTEIN NITROGEN

Answer 26

➢Carbohydrates
➢Protein
➢Minerals
➢Adaptation
➢Rumen development
➢Source of NPN

Question 27

what are the conditions suited for NPN use?

NON-PROTEIN NITROGEN

Answer 27

➢High concentrate/grain or readily
fermentable CHO rations
➢Low soluble N rations
➢Cattle with low protein requirements

Question 28

what are conditions not well suited for NPN use?

NON-PROTEIN NITROGEN

Answer 28

➢Young growing cattle with high protein
needs relative to intake
➢Stressed cattle with reduced microbial
activity
➢Cattle on high forage rations, e.g. beef
cows, growing cattle
➢Cattle on feeds with highly soluble N,
e.g. legumes

Question 29

urea toxicity = ammonia toxicity

Answer 29

➢ Urea broken down rapidly in rumen
➢ NH3
in blood overloads liver
➢ NH3 blood levels elevate
➢ Brain and nervous tissue affected

➢ Symptoms:
▪ Staggers
▪ Ammonia breath
▪ Rapid death