Feeding Out a steer

[firesweepranch]

OK, we are heifer breeders and do not do many steers, but I think we have a good one this year and want to feed him right. So I have some questions:

We weighed him on Saturday on a reliable scale and he was 1020. He is an April calf, and our target fair is June or July (our county fair is June, but I think he is good enough for the Gold Buckle Gala which is in July). He is currently eating around 25 to 30 pounds of winter creep and is not fat. He gets a handful of hay and Sure Champ. That is it.

Should I push him to 1400 and then coast him, or slow him down? He always finishes his food, so he has no problem with appetite, and I really don't want to deal with a hungry steer! He lets you know when he wants to be fed! He was around 600 when we weaned him in October (31st). How should I feed him from here to fair time? Here is a pic of him taken in December.
Thanks for any help!

 

[vc]

I would just keep feeding him, just track his gain so you know where he is and how much he is gaining. If  he hits 1300 and it is only April I would calculate out ADG, your target weight, and Days left, if you have plenty of days left, slow him down for a month and then re access where he is at, you do not have to starve him just feed a little grain and use beetpulp for the remaining feed. I would rather hold one at the end, then need to push one or catch one up.
Remember they do slow down at some point, the heat can also slow them down as well.

 

[LLBUX]

I would feed grassy hay free choice for the next couple months to help him build a fuller rib shape and flank.  That would reduce his feed intake and ADG.  You can always bump up the energy later.

Good luck-

 

[firesweepranch]

Here is an updated picture, taken this weekend. He is not clipped, just al natural! When do we need to put finish on him? Do you think he would be a good candidate for the Zilmax stuff (the muscle builder)? We plan on eating him, so it will not affect the carcass at all, will it?

Thanks for all your help so far! The last two steers we fed for show never developed finish, and were large framed. I think this guy looks like he will finish nicely, what do you think?

;D

 

[SlickTxMaine]

Agree with above post: feed free choice hay and cotton seed hulls to keep that belly full and extended.  I would coast him for a month or so, weigh him, then calculate the days remaining.  He will slow down at a point, and the heat will help.  Feed Rice Bran the last 2 months to pack on a nice finish.  He looks like he should finish out well. 

 

[vc]

Your calf looks like he has plenty of muscle, I would not worry about adding muscle (with the muscle adding products, comes structure problem enhancing), he looks like he has added some guts since the last pictures. He looks good, you should do well with him.

 

[firesweepranch]

OK, went with the advice here and backed him down 3 pounds of grain per feeding (am/pm) and added a scoop of cotton seed hulls to replace the bulk. We also bumped up his hay, from just a handful twice a day to a flake twice a day. We have weigh in for county fair the end of February so we will get a better gauge then on how much he is gaining and if we need to bump him up or down. Around mid-March we switch to our custom show mix, basically AAOK's ration, so we will have to make adjustments for that also. We are really excited about this guy, my daughter clipped on him and man he looks good! Not bad for a bred and owned.  (clapping)