Finishing lim x stores

[Estuarybeef]

We usually sell as stores at approx 12 months. The better ones would be pushing 500kg by the time we usually sell and thinking of hanging on to these and finishing them. Would I be right in thinking they would gain 100 kg at that point by putting them on a finishing ration i.e. Finished at 600kg approx. all steers. Any advice appreciated. Many thanks.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Gain 100 kilos by what point?
On a finishing ration they should be doing 1.5-2kg per day

 

[Estuarybeef]

Putting flesh on there lean frame. Getting them from where they are now lean and growing to finished ? ?

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Putting flesh on there lean frame. Getting them from where they are now lean and growing to finished ? ?

Unless they're very badly bred if their diet is right getting the bullocks from 500 kilos to 600 kilos should be as easy as pie at that age

 

[Estuarybeef]

Should I be aiming for a higher finished weight then? And do I reduce the protein at a certain weight? Or leave them on the same ration and they will naturally slow growing and gain flesh? Sorry if the questions sound odd! Like I say. Never finished cattle before.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Should I be aiming for a higher finished weight then? And do I reduce the protein at a certain weight? Or leave them on the same ration and they will naturally slow growing and gain flesh? Sorry if the questions sound odd! Like I say. Never finished cattle before.

Your end finished weight will depend on the market you're aiming for...are you going to sell them live finished or dead? If you're selling dead then you'll need to know what weight theylll pay too as it's vital

 

[Estuarybeef]

Was aiming to sell them dead. They said they'd want them at least 540 kg live but I didn't ask them the higher end. I know the same place has been having some huge cattle from the guy next door. But I don't know how that has been affected since the upper weight limit reduction.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Was aiming to sell them dead. They said they'd want them at least 540 kg live but I didn't ask them the higher end. I know the same place has been having some huge cattle from the guy next door. But I don't know how that has been affected since the upper weight limit reduction.

Well if it's cost efficive to do so ie the cattle are gaining weight greater than what's it costing you to feed them then you want to aim for as near to maximum weight as possible...you ideally need to weigh them regular because genetically some cattle will gain weight easily and others will max out at lighter weights..this is when they start costing you money and they need hanging up

 

[foxbox]

Depending upon who you sell to you can work back the liveweight from their top dead weight. Assuming 420kg (ABP last time I checked although there seem to be constant rumours of this dropping) I can get bulls to 750kg at 56% killing out. Now obviously that's an average but it means I don't take any bulls past about 720kg at the moment (some will kill higher and the penalties for going over are not fun). Your steers may kill out differently to this but make sure you know where the penalties start.

Ration wise I finish both bulls and heifers on a 12-14% ad-lib cereal ration with ad-lib straw. The feeding has to remain ad-lib once you get there; miss a day before you get a delivery etc and the animals will take a knock as you resume. 12% works fine for me (they're eating so much that in g/hd/day they're getting the right amount of protein) although others may disagree. I'm finishing Blonde X, they can be pushed very hard without any fear of them going over fat but depending upon what you're crossed with this may not be the case for yours?

 

[Estuarybeef]

Depending upon who you sell to you can work back the liveweight from their top dead weight. Assuming 420kg (ABP last time I checked although there seem to be constant rumours of this dropping) I can get bulls to 750kg at 56% killing out. Now obviously that's an average but it means I don't take any bulls past about 720kg at the moment (some will kill higher and the penalties for going over are not fun). Your steers may kill out differently to this but make sure you know where the penalties start.

Ration wise I finish both bulls and heifers on a 12-14% ad-lib cereal ration with ad-lib straw. The feeding has to remain ad-lib once you get there; miss a day before you get a delivery etc and the animals will take a knock as you resume. 12% works fine for me (they're eating so much that in g/hd/day they're getting the right amount of protein) although others may disagree. I'm finishing Blonde X, they can be pushed very hard without any fear of them going over fat but depending upon what you're crossed with this may not be the case for yours?

At what point do you put them on to adlib ? Weight wise? Or age dependant I know bulls are slightly different do you buy the ration or make it. What would it cost a tonne if you don't mind me asking. ?

 

[foxbox]

Bull calves are born March/April and weaned November-ish. We hit ad-lib as quickly as we can but are a bit behind, I'd hope to be there by mid-Jan this year. Last year as an experiment I left a heifer in with the bulls and it was a while before she was spotted... Decided in the end it was easier to keep her on ad-lib right through to finishing (although in a female finishing pen) than slow her up and it worked out ok. I'm not planning on it as a policy going forwards though!

Our ration is bought in from a local supplier, it's mainly mill screenings etc.