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Feedlot Blends
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Identifying Concentration of Ingredients in Blends
As we discussed earlier in this guide any feed blend consists of a range of different ingredients. These ratios and types of ingredients differ also from blend to blend and are specifically designed for cattle at a certain stage of growth. As do the vitamin and mineral supplements differ between feed blends.
It is therefore important that a feedlot operator or manager is able to distinguish between the different ingredients and the concentrations of those ingredients in the feed blends to ensure that cattle receive the correct feed. No feedlot manager or operator should ever use a feed blend bought from a supplier and not mixed on the feedlot without obtaining sufficient information concerning the content of the and the concentration of the different ingredients of the blend.
Only ever use reputable suppliers for blended feed and if you are unsure about the supplier it is good practice to rather mix your own feed in the feedlot in order to obtain the correct blend of ingredients and the correct concentrations of those ingredients to ensure maximum growth of cattle. If a feedlot manager is uncertain about the contents of feed blends some universities and a few independent laboratories offer the necessary testing services that can be used to test and determine the content of blends.
Understanding when a Feed Blend is “Stronger” or “Weaker”
Calves are normally started off on weaker feed blends until their capacity to digest proteins increases. The blend is then strengthened by adding more protein to the blend to assist and accelerate weight gain. As the cattle move towards finishing the protein content of the blend might be adjusted again to slow weight gain as we discussed earlier.
Selection Of Appropriate Feed For Fattening Unit Animals
It is very important to make sure that the correct feed is given to the animals in the fattening unit. Usually, there are different groups of animals in a fattening unit, with each group in another stage of feeding. Each group receive its own planned diet according to the stage of production they’re in the average weight of the group and the amount of feed the group receive.
Animals that are newly introduced get a totally different kind of feed than animals that are in the program for some time already. When a feed that was made for rounding of animals in the final stage is given to animals that are new in the fattening unit, the consequences may be fatal because the ration is too “hot”.
A fattening unit that consists of sheep and cattle must take care that each type of animal gets the feed that was formulated for it. If the wrong type of feed is given to an animal the fatal consequences will cost the fattening unit quite a lot of money.
Through the correct following of workplace procedures and good control over the feed, this type of problem will normally not arise.
Determining The Daily Feed Consumption
As we discussed earlier one of the most critical aspects in the management and operation of the feedlot is the correct application of the correct amount of feed and correct blend of feed to the different groups of cattle in the different feed bunkers. All feedlots should therefore design and implement a process whereby they can easily and effectively differentiate between the different feed bunkers in the feedlot and the different requirements of each bunker.
By minimising digestive disorders, we can keep cattle on feed and maximise performance. Poor bunk management and not the ratio being fed can be "the first domino to fall" resulting in digestive disturbances such as bloat, acidosis, and liver abscesses. Cattle feeders should strive to have a uniform day to day consumption of fresh, high-quality feed. The bunk management tools described below can aid in preventing large fluctuations in intake caused by acidosis and recovery from a bout of acidosis.
Determining how much feed to offer requires a certain amount of skill and good judgement. Cattle are big fermentation vats and fermentation vats work best under constant conditions. Careful bunk management during the winter months when is especially important since weather conditions alter consumption patterns.
Normally, if the score is zero for two consecutive days, you must increase the feed delivered to cattle by 5-10 percent. If the score is two or more, you must reduce the feed offered by 5-10 percent.
To accurately manage the different feed bunks a feed bunk sheet system should be in place for each feed bunk. A bunk sheet should have a place for a date, the pen of cattle, the amount of feed delivered and a bunk score. A feeder should have at least 4 days of records whenever determining how much feed to put in the bunk.
Scoring bunks should be done at the same time each day. Looking back, the bunk score, combined with the amount of feed provided can tell you if intakes are going up, coming down or holding steady. Scores constantly in the 2 to 3 range may lead to feeding wastage and reduced feed efficiency due to the possibility of large fluctuations in feed intake.
Determining The Feed Consumption Ratios
In order to put together a feeding schedule for cattle, it is necessary to be informed about the requirements of animals and the properties of feeds that are available. In practice ignorance about feeding often leads to animals being fed either too much or too little with economic losses as a result. The most effective manner in which to determine the amount of feed needed accurately is by using a bunker scoring system as we discussed during previous sessions.
Recording daily consumption is important as this determines the amount of feed needed. Daily feed consumption is determined according to recent consumption. Monitoring and recording of consumption are therefore essential, enabling the producer to distribute correct amounts of feed. Feed calls should be made prior to the morning feeding, with two additional observations made during consumption of the first feeding and one in the afternoon feeding. Although the amount of feed offered never should be increased by more than 10%, decreasing feed offered by 10% might be warranted to ensure that cattle clean up feed remaining in the bunk before it spoils.
Feeding practices and time of feeding can also differ from feedlot to feedlot; commonly cattle will be fed in the morning and in the late afternoons with less feed being distributed in the afternoons if the morning’s ration was not finished. But some feedlot has found that daily DM (dry matter) intake can be increased during the winter months or colder periods by feeding cattle only once a day late in the afternoon. The reasons for this are not always clear and each feedlot manager should adjust his feeding practices and times to best suit his cattle.
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