Fattening Calves

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cowfitter

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Joined
Nov 12, 2010
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21
Location
San Jose, Ca.
I am struggling to get my calves to get that fat chubby look in time for our sales.  Our Sale is in October.  I know a ton of it has to do with Genetics, and so you know the calves are all bred to the usual clubby bulls, and to angus, limi cows.  They get the look but not until about a month before there finish show.  Any help would be great.  Sarcastic comments aren't really helpful, so you can keep those to your self.  Thank you.
 

rackranch

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Jul 14, 2010
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under the X in Texas
Are you trying to get young calves ready, bred heifers ready, or bred cows ready for Oct ???

What are you feeding them at this time?
 
C

cornish

Guest
feed them a higher energy, more fat ration...

I can pack the pounds on one in two weeks feeding the snot out of DDGS and Soy Bean Hull Pellets...  2 weeks will change one BCS...
 

cowfitter

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Joined
Nov 12, 2010
Messages
21
Location
San Jose, Ca.
RackRanch:  I'm trying to get young calves ready.  We start weaning with purina pre con/receiving  feed, then move to a finishing grain.

Feed Grass:  What is DDGS?
 

RyanChandler

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Jul 6, 2011
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3,457
Location
Pottsboro, TX
Look into whats called "calf fed rations."  It is a high energy low protein ration consisting primarily of whole corn and a high protein supplement.  This ration is used for feeding holstein or dairy steers and is highly effective at putting on the flesh without frame.  Im surprised more people don't do this with their show animals but apparently the method is not well known??  A dutch dairyman brought it to my attention after I stopped by and ask what he was feeding his holstein steers to have them looking like that.  I've bottle fed countless holstein calves and never could get a finish on them until trying this method.  The "calf fed" method is free choice whole corn with a cpl pounds of the high protein supplement. NO ROUGHAGE.  Kent Feeds as well as Mooremans make a protein supplement just for this.  Here is a link to Kents : http://www.kentfeeds.com/products/beef/DB/beef-dairyBeef.php


DDG is Dry Distillers Grain.
 

rackranch

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Jul 14, 2010
Messages
1,245
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under the X in Texas
Well if your putting them on a finishing ration about the cheapest thing to do would be add extra steamed rolled corn.. I give our show calves liquid fat three times a week but that might get a little expensive if your feeding out a lot.. G-Luck
 

The Show

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Jan 26, 2010
Messages
841
Location
Colorado
Showmaster actually has a feed for getting calves ready for sales. I think its called Sales Edge? Just get them on a good high energy ration and you should be fine. You have more than enough time to get them there. On a buyers note though, I don't like seeing young calves butterball fat. Their supposed to be green at this stage. Blooming is the best word I can use to describe what I'd like to see.
 

hamburgman

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Joined
Feb 9, 2010
Messages
569
While I agree that ideally you want to buy a bloomy to greener calf, in reality fat sells.  Whether it is bulls or show calves, first coming calf heifers, fat sells.  Like I said I agree with buying a greener calf because some of those fattened ones burn out and don't grow well later in their life.  If you are selling though and aiming for $$$$$$$$ its called fat around here anyway.
 

The Show

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Joined
Jan 26, 2010
Messages
841
Location
Colorado
You bring up a really good point! I just don't like bringing one home and have to worry about it getting too fat from day one. I want to push one how I want.
 
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