Advice on feeding/finishing dairy beef for fair

[cotton]

Hello all, I am looking for any advice on feeding out dairy steers for the fair. My husband keeps about 30 cows, holsteins and brown swiss. Is one better than the other for what I am doing? We have picked out 4 calves, two swiss and two holsteins. they average in weight from 400 - 500 lbs right now. When do you begin to pour the feed to them? What percent of protein should they be getting? If anyone can give me advice on how to get these guys to where they need to be to compete next year I would really appreciate it.
Thanks,
Susan

[francismilker]

cotton, I'm not sure what part of the country you're from, but I've not heard of "fattening out dairy steers" for the fair around my neck of the woods. (SE okla) Of course, this is not dairy country and we show mostly beef cattle.

If you're trying for a rate of gain competition, I'd need to know when the initial weigh-in is before giving any advise. If you're simply showing the animal on hoof and then having the carcass graded, I'd start getting the animal on grain now and walk him daily. The excercise not only helps them gentle but keeps their appetite healthy.

As far as protein amount, I feed a sweet feed that is 12% protein, 3.5% fat, and 3% fiber. It is mostly steam rolled corn, alfalfa pellets, cottonseed hulls, and oats, with some molasses in it for flavor.

[kscowboy]

if youre just feeding out one and cost is not critical get a "growers ration " feed. A holstein will need to be fed out from day one and follow the feed directions , usually about 1 1/2 to 2% of body weight , a bit less if you have good pasture. Using a balanced growers ration will have all the supplements necessary for weight gain , frame growth , coat quality , etc. In my neck of the woods a show feed will run about $20 a 50 lb bag. start em out on just a little bit and gradually over a period of weeks move them up in qty to the recommended rate. They should have access to all the pasture or hay they want , roughage is your best friend when feeding concentrates. They should also have access to free choice minerals. feedings should be twice a day if you time allows it. These calves seem to just look like a stick for a long time then all of a sudden flesh out so be patient.