How much grain to feed?

[Farmerturner]

Hi, first time owning cows. I bought two 1/2 angus, 1/4 Holstein, 1/4 jersey heifers that are now 10 weeks old. They were slow eating grain, but now clean up 10-12lbs a day. They have access to grass all day to graze. Plan is to keep them as moms, how much grain do they need a day? Do they need that much? Thanks

[nosqrls]

Really they don't need it at all. Unless you plan to milk them and then when in milk. Or if trying to put weight on them.

[gone-a-milkin]

It really depends on if they are weaned or not, in my opinion.
Are they still drinking milk/milk replacer?

[Farmerturner]

Sorry, fully weaned off milk replacer 2 weeks ago. Thanks

[gone-a-milkin]

I would let them eat as much calf starter grain as they want until they are at least 5 months old, personally.
If they were on milk or nursing still, then no.
However, you want to see them grow good frames (bones) to support a lifetime
of breeding and maybe dairying or raising bum calves.
Calves as young as yours are not getting all the nutrition they need from grass alone.

[Allen W]

Originally Posted by Farmerturner

Hi, first time owning cows. I bought two 1/2 angus, 1/4 Holstein, 1/4 jersey heifers that are now 10 weeks old. They were slow eating grain, but now clean up 10-12lbs a day. They have access to grass all day to graze. Plan is to keep them as moms, how much grain do they need a day? Do they need that much? Thanks

We buy 200 to 300 lb calves in the summer and start them on hay and grain. Good quality hay, preferably good crabgrass hay, and about 1% of their body weight per day of mixed grain consisting of a protein pellet and ground grain. In my opinion a calf that size doesn't have the gut capacity to survive and thrive on hay or grass alone. My goal is to keep them growing and gaining weight but to not put excessive fat on them.

[Farmerturner]

Great! Thanks ya'll