Supplements- what do you use?

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shortyjock89

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It's about that time of the year when we all kind of lock down what supplements we want to use through the summer on our show calves.  A lot of us have been feeding some sort of supplement throughout, and some will just be getting started.  What I wanna know is, what do you use, and what do you think is worth the money? 

We are personally feeding the Sure Champ pellets right now, and I think they're awesome.  They have done everything they are advertised to do, and they do it well. We have fed Oxy-Explosion the last couple years and have had very good results with it as well.  The Sure Champ is less expensive, and they have many of the same vitamins and minerals.  I think we're going to put one heifer on Oxy and leave the rest on Sure Champ for a month and see what happens. 

I was also thinking about feeding a so called "hair" supplement to a heifer or two as well.  I am the first guy to say that too many supplements is a waste of money and time, but there are some pretty strong results from some of these products.  I have it narrowed down to Epic, Flair, and Hide and Hair.  Cost effectiveness is important, but results are what I'm going for.  Do any of you have any opinions on stacking such supplements, and what do you use personally? 

Remember kids, supplements do not make the calf, but they can help enhance some of the calf's natural properties and help you get the competitive edge.
 

flacowman

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All we feed as far as supplements go is showbloom and ICE from vigortone
 

kanshow

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SureChamp to all the show calves.  Epic to those we want hair on.  That's all for right now..  might add more later as needed.. 
 

AKTcattle

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We also use Oxy and have had some amazing results. All of my show calves and the show bulls are on it. My steer also has some minor feet problems so we feed natural stride.
 

shortyjock89

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what is this ice stuff? 

Aj- I also have some CC and Crown, but I know you're not so keen on canucks  ;D
 

flacowman

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It was developed by vigortone for fescue toxicity originally.  It lowers the calf's body temp by a degree or 2 which decreases heat stress and increases comfort and hair growth in summer months.  We started back on it last month when we had our first solid week of 70  + degree weather
 

zak

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I have used both hide and hair and flair on the same heifer and flair works 10x better.

Zak
 

gbart

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Mar 22, 2011
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we use Tasco for hair growth. Much cheaper than buying the supplements that have Tasco in them, have seen great results. Had calves with hair in 100 + temps that were just in the pasture and never saw a fan or cold room. Also tried Calfzilla last year liked the results we saw with it.
 

linnettejane

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i used oxy explosion one year and the results the same with showbloom, so went back to showbloom...much cheaper...1/3 the cost

i buy my first order forthe year from sullivans because it comes in that nice plastic container...40lbs for 54.50...but when that runs out, i get it in bags from pbsanimal health...50lbs for 49.10 and the whole bag will fit in the container from sulls...

ive been pleased with the results i get using showbloom and honor show chow feed....
 

farmboy

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Sunglo Epic is good stuff. No doubt about it. Used it for a steer last summer, did the cool room right and had mega-shag at the end. The only thing is you have to feed about double the reccomended daily amount to get results. Also used Power Fuel on that steer. The difference those two things made was unbelievable.
 

firesweepranch

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linnettejane said:
i used oxy explosion one year and the results the same with showbloom, so went back to showbloom...much cheaper...1/3 the cost

i buy my first order forthe year from sullivans because it comes in that nice plastic container...40lbs for 54.50...but when that runs out, i get it in bags from pbsanimal health...50lbs for 49.10 and the whole bag will fit in the container from sulls...

ive been pleased with the results i get using showbloom and honor show chow feed....

What does Oxy Explosion or Show Bloom do?
 

flacowman

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I've never used it but I think all oxy helps with is hair and maybe a little appetite stimulation.

Showbloom is a staple around our barn.  It stimulates appetite, helps keep the rumen running right, helps with hair growth and shininess, helps with muscle development, and is just a darn good all around product
 

firesweepranch

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flacowman said:
I've never used it but I think all oxy helps with is hair and maybe a little appetite stimulation.

Showbloom is a staple around our barn.  It stimulates appetite, helps keep the rumen running right, helps with hair growth and shininess, helps with muscle development, and is just a darn good all around product
How long does it take to see results?
 

flacowman

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We usually notice it in appetite within a week or so, it isn't drastic but they'll eat a few pounds more each feeding, which will really add up on a calf if you start them young.  In hair and muscle it usually takes about a month to see a truly measurable difference but in some calves they have had softer hair that didn't shed as much in around 2 weeks.  Muscle usually pops a little more at about the month mark as well.
 
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