Looking for Suggestions on What to Feed

NHR · Jun 29, 2010

We are starting to ponder what we should start stalking up on to feed our cows this winter.

We are looking at Cottonseed, Rice Bran, wheat bran, and other things.

Question: What does everyone else feed and why?

Our cows will be calving October - January so we need to maintain the cows until they calve and then bump them up once they calve.

lightnin4 · Jun 29, 2010

We feed our cows mostly hay over the winter. The best quality you can find. Get it tested so you know what its lacking (protein,minerals, etc)and supplement accordingly. When we feed more than that we use a 12% protein pelleted feed from the local co-op or a corn/cottonseed/soyfat feed we mix ourself. I think that which ingredients you use to provide the nutrition they need depends more on where you live than anything else. Cottonseed is one of the cheaper protein sources in this area (West TN), but is probably much higher priced than others in other parts of the country. The most important thing is that you are providing them with the correct nutrition for their needs.

flacowman · Jun 29, 2010

We feed whole cottonseed, lint on and all. It pretty much has everything they need except for roughage and minerals/vitamins. Only precaution is not to feed more than around 5lbs. per day or you might get some tender feet and it will temporarily sterilize your bulls (causes testosterone to drop) so be sure they don't get it.

shorthorngirl2010 · Jun 30, 2010

lightnin4 said:
We feed our cows mostly hay over the winter. The best quality you can find. Get it tested so you know what its lacking (protein,minerals, etc)and supplement accordingly. When we feed more than that we use a 12% protein pelleted feed from the local co-op or a corn/cottonseed/soyfat feed we mix ourself. I think that which ingredients you use to provide the nutrition they need depends more on where you live than anything else. Cottonseed is one of the cheaper protein sources in this area (West TN), but is probably much higher priced than others in other parts of the country. The most important thing is that you are providing them with the correct nutrition for their needs.

Another thing to have tested for (especially if feeding cane... we've had quite the time with it) is Nitrates. Can cause breds to abort and a number of other issues. As stated below, be VERY careful if youre using cottonseed hulls and feeding bulls, otherwise you may be looking for new bulls next spring, as your bulls will come back no good.

Alscows · Jun 30, 2010

Corn Gluten Pellets are cheap right now, soyhull pellets are also a good buy.

Looking for Suggestions on What to Feed

Help Support Steer Planet:

NHR

Well-known member

lightnin4

Well-known member

flacowman

Well-known member

shorthorngirl2010

Well-known member

Alscows

Well-known member

Latest posts