A

[65284]

question for those who grain fatten steers. What do you feed, straight corn, a mix, if a mix what does it contain?

[randiliana]

We feed barley, start with about 5 lbs and slowly work them up til they are eating about 2% of their body weight in the stuff.

[oneokie]

Cracked corn, pelleted soybean hulls, DDG.

[myersfarm]

^^^ what Oneokie said



I have a program that tells..... what the lbs of feed ...ADG....HOW MANY DAYS ON FEED.... avg. protien content

[francismilker]

I feed them a mix of different grains that I can get mixed in bulk at a local coop. I start them slow and gradually work them up to full feed. Once I feel a good layer of fat cover near their 13th rib and see what's left of their scrotum begin to fill up as if they still have a pair I slaughter.

I don't slaughter at any set weight or age. I use the criteria mentioned above to slaughter by.

[65284]

Thanks for the replies, I was curious about what others used.

Most of my beef customers want grass fed beef, for those that want grain fed I use ground corn, a little soy bean meal, a bit of dehydrated alfalfa and a dash of dried molasses.

I start slow and eventually feed it generously as a supplement, but they're never on what I consider full feed. It takes a little longer that way, but I like the result better, they also have access to good hay, loose mineral and salt.

randiliana, no barley around here that I know of, how does the price compare to other grains?

oneokie,......DDG?

myersfarm, I am feeding DexterXJersey cross steers that usually finish between 550-750# not sure our program would apply to them, but it sounds interesting.

Francis, I too slaughter by condition instead of primarily by age/weight, my criteria are the size of the fat "pones" on each side of the tailhead and the plumpness of the brisket area. I have some on feed now when they are ready I'll check the areas you mentioned.

[myersfarm]

Ddg is dried distillers grain

[65284]

Originally Posted by myersfarm

Ddg is dried distillers grain

Yeah, I knew that, just didn't click, a senior moment I guess.

[randiliana]

Well, we don't have corn around here :~>. Barley is comparable to corn as far as feeding goes. Cost wise, it is usually worth more than oats, less than wheat and durum.

[Karin L]

We fatten our steers with chopped barley. Corn doesn't grow up here all that well, if it does it's only for silage for dairy cows. The steers we have fattened in the past are fattened about the same rate as what randi mentioned: around 2% of their body weight as-fed per day, but not on full-feed: they'd be getting access to hay and grass as well.

[oregon woodsmok]

I feed dry COB. Not just the last month or so. They get grain every day that I own them. The most they get is a pound a day and they always finish out really nice with good marbling.