4-H Dairy Feeder Calves

[rockinr]

We have 2 holstien feeder calves right now. 1 will go to the fair and 1 will go to the freezer. They are about 6 months old and they are eating cracked corn, 16% sweet feed, and free choice of hay. I want to get them on pasture and hay only, but the dairy farmer that ownes the farm where we keep them said that they will get "gutty" and not show very well. Is this true?

[francismilker]

Very true. A grass gut will not make a very fine show critter. Kinda funny how we keep them up on feed and then feed them beet pulp to deepen their gut but don't want them to have an outward pooching gut.

If you're wanting them to show well, I'd suggest for the dairy show steers to feed them a balanced ration of some type of "show mix". (Make sure it has corn, oats/barley, alfalfa pellets, as well as what other ingredients they put in it to keep it's fat content up.)

We fed a mix that was 12% protein and 3.5% fat. It takes a little while but they will put on rib cover and fill in their scrotum with this mix provided they're not wormy and are getting adequate minerals. A dairy steer is never going to have a wide front end or backend under normal circumstances but it's sure good to see some fat cover along their 13th rib and see what's left of their scrotum bulge down like they still got a pair. When you make these two observations, he's getting ready for the freezer.

On the hay, I'd limit his hay intake until you get his diet adjusted to full feed. I'm NOT suggesting keeping hay from him, just not putting it out free choice. Sometimes a steer you're wanting to gain weight will eat more hay than feed and don't gain as well. Start out by offering a couple of blocks per day off of a small square bale and then adjusting it to keep his manure the right consistency. If you see him shooting corn over the barn and across the yard he needs more hay. If he loosens up a little give him a little more. Once he's on full feed, (and I mean all he will eat) you can simply give him what hay he needs daily to keep the poop the right consistency.

The dairy farmer is right on the grass gut. It will destroy a show steer in my experience. As well, you have two. This will make for some good competition at the feed trough and make them both gain better. You will win either way because ultimately you can choose one or both of them to put in the freezer and then sell the other to a willing buyer to help recover the costs of your feed.