Starting Cattle: How much and how hot?
By the Kent Nutrition Department
At this time of year, the most asked question is…“How much feed should I start my feeder cattle on and how much of that can be grain?”
The answer to this question has several variables, but is not as complicated as some would have it.
A rule of thumb is to start cattle at 1.3 times their maintenance requirement as the initial energy offering upon arrival to the feedyard.
The next question is…“What is the maintenance requirement of the feeder animal?”
A barnyard guideline is 1 mcal of energy for maintenance per 100 pounds of body weight. For example, a 500lb calf would require about 5.0 mcals of energy for maintenance. Therefore, 1.3 multiplied by 5.0 equals 6.5 mcals of energy for maintenance as a starting point.
The next logical question is…“How many pounds of feed does that translate into?”
Most starting diets will have around 0.80 mcals of energy for maintenance per lb of dry matter. By dividing 6.5 mcals by the density of 0.80, we come up with about eight pounds of dry matter. That’s approximately 1.5% of the animal’s body weight in starting diet.
This philosophy applies to both calves and yearlings, however knowing their prior exposure to grain is very helpful. Calves not exposed to a feed bunk should probably stick with good-quality grass hay the first day. Big yearlings that have seen some grain can probably take a diet nearly 60% in grain right off the bat; as long as we keep the feed offered to 1.5% of their body weight. This takes into account animals that may need a day or two to adapt to their surroundings and begin eating aggressively once more.
Typically, the net energy gain for starting calves will be about 45 mcals, and the net energy gain for bigger yearlings will be around 50 mcals. We will not find trouble feeding too much grain if the line is held on dry matter offered, based on body weight. Starting at 1.5% of body weight and striving for 2.0% by the end of the first 7 to 10 days is generally safe.
Starting diets containing Kent Rebound® allows us to feed adequate energy levels without flooding the rumen with too much starch. The starch, not the energy, gets us into trouble. Hot diets usually have a lot of corn, which contains starch, and this is what creates acidosis. Rebound® provides energy from ingredients lower in starch allowing us to provide adequate energy with no fear of creating acidosis.