Feeding growing and finishing cattle for Better Returns manual - Eblex

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Growing to finishing – the big changeTiming is the key to changing successfully from the growing to the finishing ration.Targets Days on finishing ration DLWG Total LW gainLarge framed 80–100 1.5kg 120-150kgMedium framed 60 – 80 1.4kg 85kgSmall framed 0–60 1.3kg 0-50kgFinishing rations contain less forage and moresupplement than growing rations which leadsto increased rumen aciditiy which challengesanimal health. The rumen microbial populationhas to change from supporting a largepopulation of fibre digesting bacteria tosupporting a large population of starchdigesting bacteria.This costs time and money, so helping theanimal to adapt quickly delivers efficiency. Thefinishing ration should be introduced graduallyto the growing ration so that the high energyfeeds are fed in increasing amounts each dayover a period of a week and the amount offorage available is reduced at the same time.Alternatively, if the cattle are being introducedto ad lib feeding from a hopper then theconcentrate or blend should be fed at graduallyincreasing amounts over a week until the cattleare not eating all the ration between feeds.Bulls – changing directly fromrearing to finishingBulls around 200kg live weight can move fromthe rearing ration straight to the finishing ration.However they can be on the finishing ration for10 months and can become hard to finish. It isbest to introduce a slightly higher energy andmore palatable ‘2nd stage finisher’ ration for thelast 60 to 80 days to give them a boost. Sucklerbred or beef cross bulls from the dairy herdweighing over 200kg liveweight will respond bestto finishing rations formulated with proteinlevels of approximately 15% crude protein (CP).Whereas, pure dairy bulls over 200kg liveweightwill respond better to lower protein levels ofapproximately 12% CP. Feeding these bulls onhigh protein diets tends to make them grow tootall and lean, making them very hard to finish.Fibre baseddietStarchbased dietIntroduce finishing ration over seven days to adapt rumen bacteria8
Finishing housed cattleFinishing cattle – short sharp periodof maximum gainDuring finishing appetite falls in relation tobodyweight so intake should be encouragedthrough feed access, freshness and palatability.• Drier rations stay fresh longer in the trough.• Mix dry and wet rations to avoid very wet orvery dry rations.• Protein requirement should be met bymicrobial protein, but rumen microbes needa small amount of degradable protein. Ifinsufficient rumination takes place adding asmall amount of degradable protein will help.If the best cost option feeds available are highin protein the CP level can rise to a maximumof 17% before performance is compromised.• Energy, particularly from starch, is all importantto drive fermentation in the rumen. But at veryhigh energy densities (over 13 MJ ME/kg DM)intake will be compromised.• A small amount of long, hollow tube fibre, egstraw, which floats and scratches the rumenwalls promotes rumination, prevents acidosisand improves feed conversion efficiency.• Too much fat and oil coats fibre particles inthe rumen and prevents breakdown by rumenmicrobes, leading to acidosis and reducedintake. Brewers grains, oil-coated chips andbiscuit meal are good feeds but have upperinclusion limits. If two or more are fed togetherkeep well below the upper limit.• Requirements for major minerals are reducedbut trace elements and vitamins are stillimportant.Bull beefKeeping male calves entire only helps FCE ifthey are kept growing at maximum gain. In astore period bulls have no better feedconversion than steers.Grass silage has no major role in bull beefdiets. Small amounts help meet digestible fibrerequirements, but large amounts will reduceenergy density and extend days to finish.• Minimise aggressive behaviour to promoteprofitability.• Keep group sizes small – no more than 20.• Avoid mixing batches which leads to fightingand riding.• Keep bulls away from other stock,particularly breeding stock.• Keep bulls away from noisy farm activity.• Feed and bed in the morning and leave themin peace in late afternoon and early evening.In the evening, as the herd instinctivelysettles down for the night, if left undisturbedhead butting and pushing occurs in anassertive, but non-aggressive way. If thisdoes not happen stress and aggression willresult in reduced performance.9
Page 1 and 2: EBLEX BEEF BRP MANUAL 7Feeding grow
Page 3 and 4: ContentsPage 2 Growing andfinishing
Page 5 and 6: Feeding to growUnderstanding your s
Page 7 and 8: Ration guidelinesGrowing animals ha
Page 9: Growing housed cattleGrower rations
Page 13 and 14: Feeding for carcase qualityFat cove
Page 15 and 16: Choosing the right supplement for y
Page 17 and 18: What is your dung telling you?Looki
Page 19 and 20: Top 10 protein feedsThis table show

Feeding growing and finishing cattle for Better Returns manual - Eblex

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