To increase gains, know what you are feeding your cattle

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Increasing Gains Knowing what you’re feeding is key to weight gain in calves By Klaire Howerton

24 Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com Increased weaning weights are a production component that many producers in the Ozarks strive to achieve.

Some strategies pay off and others, not so much. Research and record keeping are keys to tracking results and making appropriate decisions.

Dr. Shane Gadberry, ruminant nutrition specialist with the University of Arkansas Extension, explained that cattle producers may want to increase weight gain of calves beyond what forage alone will support.

“Unlike systems level efficiency, individual animal efficiency is usually based on the ratio of weight gain and intake. For practical purposes we talk about feed conversion ratio which is intake per unit of weight gain,” he said.

When looking at feed conversion, the ratio can be total conversion or partial conversion. Total conversion, Gadberry said, is based on total intake and total weight gain, whereas partial conversion is often used in supplemental feed evaluation when looking at the additional feed required for each additional pound of gain.

Both total and partial conversion can be somewhat difficult to determine with the number of operation specific grazing systems, so Gadberry highly recommended that producers dig deep and look for research that fits their individual scenario.

Feed conversion will be based upon forage quality and quantity that is available, and this will in turn determine if additional inputs to try and achieve added gain are worthwhile.

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stricted, the partial feed conversion ratio for supplements will be poor,” Gadberry said.

He shared an example from a recent study performed by the University of Arkansas Extension regarding creepfed calves in the spring that were on ryegrass pasture with their dams.

The partial conversion ratio of that creep feed was nearly 15:1 (15 pounds of feed to one additional pound of weight gain). It wouldn’t be cost effective to try to add weight gain with creep feed in that situation because both forage quality and quantity was very good.

The study also looked at scenarios where forage quality and quantity were lower.

“We also fed the same type creep feed in summer during a drought year. Our creep feed conversion was closer to 4:1 in that situation because forage quality was moderate and forage availability was poor,” Gadberry said.

Fescue, one of the primary forages grown in the Ozarks, can present challenges to feed conversion and weight gain. If creep fed calves are also grazing toxic endophyte infected fescue, their conversion ration can be 6-7:1. Warm season grasses during a time of limited forage availability, combined with grain, can offer a better feed conversion and better weight gain.

Some producers might consider growth implants for improved weight gain or combining growth implants with supplemental feed.

Gadberry said research is showing promising results in a study comparing steers grazing on toxic fescue alone to steers that have the technologies and supplements.

The Ozarks’ Most Read Farm Newspaper 25 APRIL 6, 2020 ozarks’ farm calendar ozarks’ auction block April 2020 6 Brockmere Farms Spring Sale – New Cambria Livestock Auction, New Cambria, Mo. – 660-375-2055 11 The Renaissance 28th Anniversary Edition Sale – Chappell’s Sale Arena, Strafford, Mo. – 405-246-6324 – RESCHEDULED TO MAY 2 14 Sydenstricker Genetics Influence Sale – at the Ranch, Mexico, Mo. – 573-473-9202 18 Bradley Cattle Company Bred Heifer Sale – Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, Springfield, Mo. – 785-672-7449 18 The Great American Pie Limousin Sale – Laclede County Livestock Pavilion, Lebanon, Mo. – 402-350-3447 – RESCHEDULED TO MAY 30 18 East Central Missouri Angus Association Sale – Cuba, Mo. – 314-393-2885 18 Owen Brothers Cattle Company Diamond & Spurs Sim-Genetics Spring Sale – at the Farm, Bois D’ Arc, Mo. – 417-830-6252 18 New Day Genetics Ranch Ready Bull Sale – Cunningham Livestock Auction, Salem, Mo. – 903-748-7591 25 Windy Hill Charolais 23rd Annual Gateway-Getaway Production Sale – Arrowhead Sale Facility, Cedar Hill, Mo. – 314-974-5230 April 2020 7-28 Tree Talk Tuesday – Join Sarah Havens, Natural Resource Specialist, every Tuesday online to talk various forestry topics – 1-2 p.m. – April 7, Common Forestry Measurements; April 14, Forest Stand Improvement; April 21, Chainsaw Maintenance; April 28, Forests and Wildlife – contact Phelps County Extension Office for more information 573-458-6260 – Online Zoom: https://umsystem.zoom.us/j/628379765 8 Extension Roundtable Discussion-Meeting via Zoom – 1 p.m. – Login information to be announced – contact your local extension center for more information 8 Spring Lawn Management Online Session – 6-9 p.m. – Free session – Clinton, Mo. – contact Travis Harper at harpertw@missouri.edu or 660-885-5556 for more information 8-29 Boost Your Brain and Memory – cost: $40 – Wednesdays, 9-11 a.m. – Virtual via Zoom – Springfield, Mo. – contact Amber Allen at 417-881-8909 or amallen@missouri.edu for more information 9 Sheep and Goat Production Workshop – Online Format – Cost: $20 per person – register by April 7 – contact Cedar County MU Extension Center to register and for more information at 417-276-3313 9-30 Women Owning Woodland – Thursdays, noon-1 p.m. – Online Zoom: https://umsystmes.zoom.us/j/315494895 – contact Phelps County Extension Office for more information 573-458-6260 14-15 Bull Breeding Soundness Clinic – Cramer Veterinary Clinic, Stockton, Mo. – 417-276-3597 15 Introduction to Honey Bees and Beekeeping – Online Zoom Session – free class – Clinton, Mo. – contact Travis Harper to register and for more information 660-885-5556 or harpertw@missouri.edu 20 Bull Breeding Soundness Clinic – Lamar Animal Clinic, Lamar, Mo. – 417-682-3611 21, 23 Bull Breeding Soundness Clinic – El Dorado Springs Veterinary Clinic, El Dorado Springs, Mo. – 417-876-5805 22 Bull Breeding Soundness Clinic – 54 Veterinary Clinic, Nevada, Mo. – 417-667-8381 Cattle Handling & Feed Equipment Green’s Welding & Sales Custom Made in the USA for Cattlemen 10’ Feed Bunk All 14 Ga. Steel Construction Bulk Bins 3 Ton Portable Bin • New 15” wheels • New 8 ply tires • Jack on tongue with clevis hitch • Ground opening lid • Sight glass • Rain guard • Drop Leg on Back Sizes: 5 Ton Stationary 3 Ton Stationary and Portable 1 Ton Stationary and Portable • Cattle Working Chutes • Portable Corral Panels & Trailers • Bulk Bins • Portable Creep Feeders

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