As we discussed earlier in this guide any feed blend consists of a range of different ingredients. These ratios and types of ingredients differs 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 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.