barley beef need some advice

[beefandsleep]

Put a ring feeder in the pen full of straw, and con in the feeder. It's so simple I might even do it myself...

Dairy farmers (most of them) know that attention to detail, particularly in feeding, is key to profitability when it comes to milking cows, that’s why it’s always a surprise to me to hear comments like that and see so many poorly reared dairy cross beef cattle at market. Why would you think it was any different when it comes to feeding any other class of stock?

 

[nt farm]

No extra protein/minerals. Not mentioned by Vet

 

[gone up the hill]

No extra protein/minerals. Not mentioned by Vet

Don't ask a vet on how to feed cattle unless you have a problem!!

What age/ weight are these cattle?

 

[nt farm]

20 to 22 months (been out on grass all summer) 460-480kg at last weighing

 

[Northeastfarmer]

I see this thread has not had much on it lately but a question

I want to push a mixed group of AA and Her X steers and heffiers a bit harder. they are on 4Kg barley fed once a day and adlib silage. I want to more them on to adlib but how quick can I do that and need advice on feeders

Ad lib within 2 weeks....feed them twice a day working them up to 10kilos a day

 

[nt farm]

ok. I can do that all right. but I will need to look at feeders to allow me to move to adlib as feed in troughs at the moment.

Ideas. I understand that the hopper needs to be wide enough for loader bucket but now big as group is 25 animals. plus do a take silage away slowly or leave it in place.

 

[gone up the hill]

ok. I can do that all right. but I will need to look at feeders to allow me to move to adlib as feed in troughs at the moment.

Ideas. I understand that the hopper needs to be wide enough for loader bucket but now big as group is 25 animals. plus do a take silage away slowly or leave it in place.

You need to feed them protein/ minerals and a stomach balancer.

Complete waste of time feeding barley only for growing cattle like them!

When on ad lib still feed them silage.

 

[nt farm]

When you say protein do you mean use feed grade urea or ?

Sorry if these are daft questions but new to this intensive system

 

[Northeastfarmer]

When you say protein do you mean use feed grade urea or ?

Sorry if these are daft questions but new to this intensive system

Soya or a protein pellet would be your best bet

 

[nt farm]

Soya or a protein pellet would be your best bet

Thanks for that will look in to getting some soya.

Last question what rate for the soya

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Thanks for that will look in to getting some soya.

Last question what rate for the soya

Probably around 15%

 

[gone up the hill]

Thanks for that will look in to getting some soya.

Last question what rate for the soya

You also need to feed minerals and something like bicarb if going ad lib

 

[gone up the hill]

Thanks for that will look in to getting some soya.

Last question what rate for the soya

Forgot to say, don't be afraid to ask questions on here, loads of very knowledgeable people on here running all different types of systems and doesn't matter if this is your first time finishing cattle or you have been in the job 50 years you can always learn something new.

 

[pellow]

I see this thread has not had much on it lately but a question

I want to push a mixed group of AA and Her X steers and heffiers a bit harder. they are on 4Kg barley fed once a day and adlib silage. I want to more them on to adlib but how quick can I do that and need advice on feeders

what age? native breed put fat on quicker than they grow so you can end up with under the minimum carcass weight fat animals

 

[Northeastfarmer]

20 to 22 months (been out on grass all summer) 460-480kg at last weighing

what age? native breed put fat on quicker than they grow so you can end up with under the minimum carcass weight fat animals

 

[pellow]

oops missed page 6, I'd feed them the barley twice a day, and mix some protein or even a high protein beef nut in with the barley, you'll regret it if you loose one or more when you put them on ad lib barley at this stage

 

[Northeastfarmer]

oops missed page 6, I'd feed them the barley twice a day, and mix some protein or even a high protein beef nut in with the barley, you'll regret it if you loose one or more when you put them on ad lib barley at this stage

He’s got them on 4kilos a day now, just needs to increase it over the next 2 weeks till they’re on ad lib

 

[pine_guy]

One of the better things out of ahdb, worth a read.

http://beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk/wp/w...ing-growing-and-finishing-manual-7-091216.pdf

 

[pellow]

he's feeding them 4kg once a day, I'm just saying I would feed them twice a day and not bother putting them on ad lib, there are risks in the transition and as I understand it he doesn't have ad lib feeders

If you do put them on ad lib you will want to feed them a few times a day increasing the feed until there is feed left in the trough, putting them straight on ad lib barley is risky even if there is other stuff mixed in with it, probably an idea to buy some beef nuts to start them on ad lib and then blend barley in to transition them

 

[Northeastfarmer]

he's feeding them 4kg once a day, I'm just saying I would feed them twice a day and not bother putting them on ad lib, there are risks in the transition and as I understand it he doesn't have ad lib feeders

If you do put them on ad lib you will want to feed them a few times a day increasing the feed until there is feed left in the trough, putting them straight on ad lib barley is risky even if there is other stuff mixed in with it, probably an idea to buy some beef nuts to start them on ad lib and then blend barley in to transition them

I’ve told him to do that if you read back