Exhibitors must understand five areas to
pinpoint which feed mixes to use for their animals: 1) animal frame score 2) calf’s body fat 3) animal’s muscle design 4) body weight 5) the time line until the target show
If they understand these areas then they can
determine which feed to use.
1. Used for smaller framed calves that still
need to grow 4. Calves with extreme muscle design
2. Calves that are over conditioned
3. English cattle that are getting fat around
tail head, brisket & cod
Reasons to change from this mix:
·
Animal still too fat – switch to 500
and top dress with protein pellet
·
Calves are losing too much of their
muscle definition -> move to mix 200, 300 or a combination of 100 & 200
or 300
200 is 12% protein &
400 is 10% protein. Use 200 earlier in
the game if calf is more moderate framed.
If animal is extreme in frame size do not be afraid to go with 400 early
1.
Big framed calves 3. Lighter muscled
calves
2.
For higher rates of gain 4.
Really green conditioned calves
Reasons to change from this mix:
·
Animal is getting over-muscled, too fat or too heavy
for the time frame -> move to mix 100, 500 or a combination of 200 & 100
300 MIX
The most versatile/ flexible mix to use
1.
Smaller or medium framed calves 3. For moderately conditioned calves
2.
For good weight gain 4.
Well muscled calves that are not too extreme
Reasons to change from this mix:
·
The calf needs more condition, muscle development or
weight gain -> move to 200 or 400 or combination of 300 & either 200 or
400
·
The animal is becoming over conditioned, extreme
muscled, or too heavy for frame size -> move to 100 or combination of 100
&300
500 MIX
1.
Extremely fat and over conditioned cattle
2.
Over weight and need to be held
3.
This mix is used for controlling weight, serves as a
show ring filler (volume & fullness) & to keep heifers from getting too
fat
4.
Extreme muscle development
Reasons to
change from this mix:
·
Calf needs final push for the show -> move to
200, 300, or 600
·
Calf has lost too much condition or weight ->
move to 200, 300, 600 or a combination of 500 & 200
600 MIX
For those who want a barley
based ration to keep a firm finish at the end.
Similar specs as 200 but formulated with much higher levels of barley.
Same rules would apply here as with 200
700 MIX
For those who want a higher
protein mix -> this gives 14% ration & can be used in place of 100 to
start calves
**Calves should be able to
gain around 3 lbs per day on these mixes (200, 300, 400, 600, & 700) if fed
at 2.5-2.75% of calf’s body weight, so exhibitors need to plan accordingly.