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mainecattlemother

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Oct 26, 2010
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We have some young calves born in late March that we have started on creep feed.  We are actually using Purina Grand 4-T Fyer which is probably a little strong and one of our feed reps suggested to throw some Power Fuel in with the feed but the calves are eating very little of it and they have been on it for almost a month.  Probably about three weeks.  Somebody told us it may have fish oil but I checked that out and it does not say there is fish oil but does state there is dried seaweed meal in it.  Could that be the reason they are not eating the feed?  Should we just be feeding a 16% feed or is the Grand 4T-Fyer okay by itself.  I did empty the feeder tonight and added just one fresh pail of 4T-Fyer with nothing in it to see if they eat any by morning.  Any thoughts would be appreciated.
 

shortyjock89

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They're not eating much because a 32% protein feed probably gives them a tummy ache.

Why are you feeding 4 t fyer by itself as a creep feed?

Our creep is 14% and we start calves on half creep half precon until they're eating well and then back the precon down to 20-25% 
 

mainecattlemother

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Minneota
Maybe I should clarify. Our Grand 4T-Fyer is mixed with our own corn, oats, mineral, and a little sweet lick. It is not a complete bagged ration. We are guessing the protein level to be 16 to 18%. We fed the Precon last year and our calves look pretty good but we have some superb show quality animals that we would like to show as prospects so we asked one of our county members who is the manager at a feed store and he suggested we add the Powerfuel but I don't think this is right. Please help.
 

shortyjock89

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The Rowe 49 feed is very very good, but is a little low in protein to use as a creep for me. We've fed a whole bunch of it to calves after weaning though.
 

mainecattlemother

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Minneota
Rowe 49 feeds are not available in our area. Not a lot of beef in our area so we are at the mercy of Purina and Form-A-Feeds and you pay the price. That's why we do the Grand 4T Fyer so we can use our own corn an oats. Helps cut the cost. Forgot to check feeder this morn to see if any are just straight fortifier. I don't think the feed is the problem. I think it is just the supplements. I don't think a little calf is ready for that and don't know why one of our feed guys would suggest that.
 

shortyjock89

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Because many feed salesmen have never fed a show calf.

Cut out the supplements and see what they do. Add in some precon if you need some more roughage in it or if it's too hot.
 

rtmcc

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Oct 11, 2008
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Peterson, MN
If the calves are only 6-8 weeks old and the cows are milking good they are probably just not feeling the need for creep feed.  Especially if they are out on fresh grass.  They'll start when they fell the need.

Ron
<cowboy>
 

SlickTxMaine

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Feb 11, 2009
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641
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Texas
The Grand 4tifyer is high protein and the Power Fuel is high protein. I would definitely not add the Powerfuel at this point - way too early in the game.  Sounds like the feed guy was trying to make a sale!
 

CAB

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Mar 5, 2007
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Corning,Iowa
I've had very good luck just using Co-Mix to start calves on. I've had better luck with it than Precon alone or a mixture of Co-Mix and Precon. Another option to look at would be a complete calf creep feed. How does a complete calf creep compare to what you are doing price wise? A calf creep feed was made for getting calves started on feed.
 
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