Weight on steers quick-need advise please

[box6rranch]

We have 45 days till fair. Both of my daughter's steer weigh right about 1100. Need to get weight on them fast. Of course because of the heat and the cooling shed during the day they both have let up on their eating. I gave 10 CC's orally of B12 yesterday. Don't want to cook corn, afraid they'll loose their hair. Any suggestions????

 

[simtal]

increase the fat in the diet.  It will add energy density (good for lower intakes) and make the diet "cooler"

 

[farmboy]

don't forget 5 gallons of water = 40 lbs

 

[OqRanch]

Is it too late for probiotic?

 

[OH Breeder]

This late in the game, I don't think an implant would hurt at all. It could improve your feed effciency?

 

[BCCC]

I am not sure this will make a difference for you but it did with my calves. I could barely get them to eat a few pounds a day, but I get them up before dawn, and exercise the, and then dump feed in front of em right in as its getting light out, they don't eat really fast but normally with 20-30 minutes its all gone. And then in the evening I wait until about 8pm and I wash them and walk them some more, and then let them go, and they do a little shin dig, and then they are practically running me over for the feed, I feed in the evening about 9:00-9:15, and by morning time it is all cleaned up. I assume when you say cooling shed you are talking about a cooling room? If so they should be eating pretty good. I defiantly don't think an implant will hurt at all... I actually will probally do that to the steer tomarrow. I would also say probiotic and B12 every 4 days or so would help some.

 

[box6rranch]

I am not sure this will make a difference for you but it did with my calves. I could barely get them to eat a few pounds a day, but I get them up before dawn, and exercise the, and then dump feed in front of em right in as its getting light out, they don't eat really fast but normally with 20-30 minutes its all gone. And then in the evening I wait until about 8pm and I wash them and walk them some more, and then let them go, and they do a little shin dig, and then they are practically running me over for the feed, I feed in the evening about 9:00-9:15, and by morning time it is all cleaned up. I assume when you say cooling shed you are talking about a cooling room? If so they should be eating pretty good. I defiantly don't think an implant will hurt at all... I actually will probally do that to the steer tomarrow. I would also say probiotic and B12 every 4 days or so would help some.

Are you offering them hay at all? We give it to them in the corral at night. I'm wondering if they fill up on that? So frustrating, now the heifers aren't eating much either. Feeding early in the morning while it's still cool and then usually feed in the cooling room about 7:00 and let them out when it cools off outside. Need some help about the implants, I've never done it before. What and how would be helpful. Thanks so much!

 

[BCCC]

heifers get free choice grassy alfalfa, and steers get less then a flake to munch on throughout the day. Don't give the heifers implants, only the steers. The best are the Relevor, However I use Ralgro just because that's what we use in our feed yards. If you haven't done it before I would suggest getting your vet to show you how, you put them in the back of the ear. I am not sure how much the guns are but I am sure they are kinda pricey, so you might want to ask around and see of you could just barrow one. They will really help your feed eff incany, along with making them finish out better. You may also want try skipping a feeding once a week to help out with their appetite. How much excersise do they get?

 

[AAOK]

We have 45 days till fair. Both of my daughter's steer weigh right about 1100. Need to get weight on them fast. Of course because of the heat and the cooling shed during the day they both have let up on their eating. I gave 10 CC's orally of B12 yesterday. Don't want to cook corn, afraid they'll loose their hair. Any suggestions????

Extruded Rice Bran - The best source I know of is ADM's Natural Glo.  It will ADD quality to the hair also.

 

[box6rranch]

I gave probiotics yesterday. Went and got some corn oil and pancake syrup to mix in their grain. Our one steer ate every drop. The other steer ate better than he has been. I'm not too sure how realistic it is going to be to put a ton of weight on him. He's much shorter, really big and thick for his size but smaller than the other one. Cut way back on hay, we'll see how they do this morning. Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the advise.

 

[linnettejane]

i skip the feeding once a week too and never really have any trouble with them not eating...i do it on sundays so i dont have to go the barn before church, lol...i also give mine terrimycin crumbles/2g...top dress with it about two weeks before show thru one week after show...helps with feed efficiency and since ive been doing it, no more shipping fever or going off feed at shows...knock on wood...(not sure about feeding this to steers though...should check label...we dont show steers right now...)
im sure you already know this...but for those that might not, its also important to clean out the feed that wasnt eaten from the previous feeding...dont leave the old in there and just keeping adding to it...for whatever reason, there was a reason they didnt clean it up...so clean it out before putting out more feed...

 

[cattleking]

Give them some appetite express from sullivans that'll usually make them eat better and maybe the day before the show cut off water so the day of the show u can quick gain 30-40lb.s

 

[vc]

We use the rice bran too, works real well and you can definitely see the effects on the hair.

 

[cattleking]

Wendt cattle also uses that stuff, its the first time ive ever heard about it.

 

[box6rranch]

Hi, steers are eating better. Can someone tell me where I can buy the Rice Bran?

 

[BCCC]

Hi, steers are eating better. Can someone tell me where I can buy the Rice Bran?

ADM has a really good rice bran product called Natural Glo, you should be able to get it from any of your morrmans feed dealer. Also a feed store should have it(one with horse feeds)