Barley

[BCCC]

Okay well I have been mixing my own rations for awhile now, but I am now having to buy more grain. And I am trying to figure out how to keep all my rations costs down. I typically use milo, oats, corn, cotton seed hulls, and soybean meal. How ever I have never feed barley.


Price per ton
Barley- $110
Corn- $142
Oats- $130
Milo- $195
Cotton Seed Hulls- $580
Beet Pulp- $856
Soybean Meal- $480


Would this be a bad idea to feed?
500lbs Barley
500lbs Corn
300lbs Oats
400lbs Cotton Seed Hulls
200lbs Soybean Meal
100lbs Mollasses

figures out to be about 14% protein, and not sure on the fat 

Any input on this?

 

[shortyjock89]

That ration is really close to what we fed to steers from April until they were done, only we didn't feed any Milo or Cotton Seed Hulls in the summer. 

 

[box6rranch]

We also include some barley in our rations. Just watch the cattle because it can make them bloat.

 

[midway6376]

Would you put any supplements in that or would that be the complete ration.

 

[shortyjock89]

Would you put any supplements in that or would that be the complete ration.

That's a pretty complete feed, we don't feed any supplements and get along pretty well I think.

 

[midway6376]

Do you feed them to heifers or steers?

 

[shortyjock89]

We would feed that ration more to steers, because Barley will put a harder fat on, but we've also feed barley to heifers that need to look smoother or need a little more fat. If you need more fat on one right now, I would suggest cooking either corn or barley, just beware to not burn them up at a young age. 

 

[kanshow]

I'd say if you can get teh barley bought for that its a good deal.  Last summer we tried to get ahold of barley and it was like gold around here - IF you could even get it.    Looks like a good ration & like OFS says more for steers. 

 

[midway6376]

Do the steers usually grow pretty good on that because for my fair they have to meet a rate of gain requirement.

 

[shortyjock89]

Ours do too.  When we showed steers, we always had them gain over the requirement easily.  Had MANY steers gain over 3lbs/day, and some that gained over 4.  We had the 2nd heaviest Shorthorn steer at our State Fair one year, and he was 13 months old.  How big is your steer now, when is your fair, and what is the daily gain requirement? 

 

[midway6376]

I have never had any problems with reaching the rate of gain either I was just wondering. And my steers are about 700lbs now and the first weigh is thefirst weekend in March. The fair is the third weekend in March. On one of my steers the requirment in 2.5 lbs and the other is 2.25lbs a day

 

[midway6376]

Fair is in july sorry bout that

 

[BCCC]

You fair is the same time is mine, and I think that this ration would work well for them, and be able to make them make the daily gain. I would also give them free choice mineral.

 

[AAOK]

Okay well I have been mixing my own rations for awhile now, but I am now having to buy more grain. And I am trying to figure out how to keep all my rations costs down. I typically use milo, oats, corn, cotton seed hulls, and soybean meal. How ever I have never feed barley.


Price per ton
Barley- $110
Corn- $142
Oats- $130
Milo- $195
Cotton Seed Hulls- $580
Beet Pulp- $856
Soybean Meal- $480


Would this be a bad idea to feed?
500lbs Barley
500lbs Corn
300lbs Oats
400lbs Cotton Seed Hulls
200lbs Soybean Meal
100lbs Mollasses

figures out to be about 14% protein, and not sure on the fat 

Any input on this?

Looks real good to me.  I doubt the protein is quite that high, more like 12%, and will guess the fat to be about 4%.  Don't forget the mineral.

 

[TJ]

AAOK is correct... it's closer to 12%. 

 

[midway6376]

You fair is the same time is mine, and I think that this ration would work well for them, and be able to make them make the daily gain. I would also give them free choice mineral.

What kind of mineral would you recommend. Like a regular one or high protein?

 

[shortyjock89]

We feed Cargill Onyx to the show calves and donor cows. 

 

[midway6376]

We feed Cargill Onyx to the show calves and donor cows. 

Is that a block or bag?

 

[shortyjock89]

It comes in a bag. We also put out a block with Bloat Guard.  We like getting the Onyx because it's formulated for high stress situations, like being on the show road for weeks at a time.  We can mix it right in the feed and not have to worry about the calves having a balanced diet.

 

[midway6376]

Thanks a lot for the help!