Rice Bran Users......have a question...

[SlickTxMaine]

Okay, starting to feed Stab. Rice Bran to steer.  He weighs 1290, and the show is Feb. 26.  Now he is being fed 4 lbs finisher, 4 lbs. beet pulp, 4 lbs steam flaked corn and 1.5lbs. vitafirm sure champ twice a day, along with all the grass hay he wants.  Should we just add the rice bran to his current ration, or do we need to reduce the corn?  I was thinking of adding 1/2 lb to each feeding, for a total of 1lb a day.  This is the first time we hav fed rice bran, so I welcome any suggestions.  Thanks!!

 

[kanshow]

Why are you feeding Rice Bran?      It's good stuff to feed to animals that have trouble maintaining condition or you need fast gain on. 

 

[SlickTxMaine]

I was told by other SP'ers that it is good for putting finish on an animal.  Our steer needs more finish.

 

[kanshow]

Just take him up slowly..  its got a lot of umph to it.  I don't think we've had one get loose stools on it but I suppose it could happen.

 

[TJ]

Just take him up slowly..  its got a lot of umph to it.   I don't think we've had one get loose stools on it but I suppose it could happen.

I'm no expert, but if you need more finish, since you are feeding 3 lbs of Sure Champ, I'd replace some of the Vitafirm Sure Champ with the SRB.  1 lb. of Sure Champ should be plenty.  You probably should start with 1/2 lb of SRB & work up to 1 lb. over a few days.  You could go as high as a couple lbs. of SRB.  I'd also consider gradually replacing some of the beet pulp with an equal amount of finisher/corn.  Just don't make any changes too quickly or dramatically, especially since the SRB does indeed have a lot "umph to it".