Feeding a heifer that's needs more rib.

I am trying to be pro-active here. I have a heifer that needs some expansion to her rib, a bigger bellied look. There are a lot of posts on here about how to get fill in a heifer at a show, but what I would like to know is what in a feed program is crucial to developing a heifer with that "barrel bellied look". Do you want more fiber, energy or protein. I am feeding a ration similar to that of kent show grower with free choice grass hay.

I feed Purina Depth charge and beet pulp when I need more guts. G-Luck

Oh, and plenty of hay.

We use AAOK ration on our heifers with a lower percentage of corn, but is high in cottonseed and fiber creating "gut fill" expansion in that gut making them look fuller. We also use precon/ receiving chow from purina when starting calves out seems to give them a fresher appearance and continue to top dress if need be. Have used depth charge in the past, wonderful product! Also have used beet pulp all along in ration is needing extra fiber. I guess depends on the calf and what works best for you. We have used different assortments of these products as a top dress depending on the calf. GOOD LUCK!

Thanks for the responses. I live in Canada so I don't think I would be able to get ahold of any purina products. The only two gut expansion products I have access to are stretch and winning fill although my understanding is they are more of a product to use at a show. The ration I am feeding is 35% corn, 20% oats, 10% soy meal, 10% beet pulp and 25% blender mineral. Unfortunately I don't have access to cotton seed hulls. If anyone else could share there feeding techniques to increase rib capacity that would be greatly appreciated.

We find ground Timothy/alfalfa at the tractor supply stores. Make it about 1/4 of the ration by volume, add water to it so the cows can swallow it and feed it like no tomorrow. It takes a bit to get going but they will fill on it, and if you over feed they just get full. It is a lot better price wise than all the miracle in a bag deals. We do find chaff hay and it works better but is harder to find.

Raise your Fiber level to at least 15%.

Be careful of convincing yourself you need to add the cost of feed to get a heifer to put on fat and belly fill to look like more rib instead of putting that extra money into buying one in the first place. You may create a slippery slope of lower fertility and milk and only justify more cost by purchasing females that look like steers and breed like them.

knabe said:

Be careful of convincing yourself you need to add the cost of feed to get a heifer to put on fat and belly fill to look like more rib instead of putting that extra money into buying one in the first place. You may create a slippery slope of lower fertility and milk and only justify more cost by purchasing females that look like steers and breed like them.

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Great post Mark!  Too bad so many Judges are using those Steer mates as Breeding Females. They ALL belong in the Market Heifer classes!

AAOK said:

knabe said:

Be careful of convincing yourself you need to add the cost of feed to get a heifer to put on fat and belly fill to look like more rib instead of putting that extra money into buying one in the first place. You may create a slippery slope of lower fertility and milk and only justify more cost by purchasing females that look like steers and breed like them.

Click to expand...

Great post Mark!  Too bad so many Judges are using those Steer mates as Breeding Females. They ALL belong in the Market Heifer classes!

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Yup, couldn't agree more.

Higher energy lower protein ration would by my suggestion for the OP.  Rice bran and Corn heavy.

Just think about it like if it were you: what would you eat if you wanted your shoulders or back -muscles in general- bigger (protein) - what would you eat if you wanted your gut bigger ( Carbs/fat)

When heifers start getting too coarse, drop the protein % but keep the TDN% (energy levels) the same. 

I am from Canada also so have not used cotton seeds. But if you want the next best thing it is whole oats. Oats grow your animal and gives them allot of fiber needed without ruining a good heifer. I would self feed oats with a protien and beet pulp added. Then may add a show ration into the bunk daily depending on how cold or how much weight needed on animal. With hay limited they would go after the show ration and finish filling up on oats. Then a bit of hay to keep stomach working. Got very good gain and animal ended up looking fresh and loose hided.

AAOK said:

knabe said:

Be careful of convincing yourself you need to add the cost of feed to get a heifer to put on fat and belly fill to look like more rib instead of putting that extra money into buying one in the first place. You may create a slippery slope of lower fertility and milk and only justify more cost by purchasing females that look like steers and breed like them.

Click to expand...

Great post Mark!  Too bad so many Judges are using those Steer mates as Breeding Females. They ALL belong in the Market Heifer classes!

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Amen. I hate seeing the commercial calves sired by clubby bulls winning these shows. Once and a while a bull like Monopoly will throw a good, maternal heifer, but I feel that most of the best breeding stock will come from the Maine/Angus/Simmi classes. Just my opinion.