The Problem with Cafeteria-Style Feeding
By Glenn Ross, Ph.D., Beef Nutritionist
The use of self-feeders in the Midwest has proven to be an effective, labor-saving alternative to open trough feeding for many years. Another labor-saving innovation is the use of big round bales for hay storage and feeding. Labor- alternatives do have their place in a feedlot, but the use of both is a sign we have gone too far..
This combination of these two feeding methods are referred to as “cafeteria-style." Cafeteria-style is not an effective regimen for finishing cattle; it puts too much control in their mouths with little regard to nutrition. This type of control opens the gate to acidosis and foundering. Another problem of cafeteria-style feeding is the inconsistency created within a pen of cattle. As individuals, one steer may prefer to eat hay while another prefers the grain mix; yet another may switch back and forth depending on the day. This inconsistency makes it virtually impossible to create a stable rumen environment. Rumen microorganisms thrive on consistency. When rumen microorganisms thrive, so does performance.
Cattle consuming a high-roughage diet, such as pasture-fed cattle or growing calves, have rumen bugs more efficient in digesting fiber. On the other hand, cattle in the feedlot consuming a high-energy diet have a lower rumen pH and the present microorganisms are more efficient at digesting starch. The microbial population of the rumen does not change readily. To acclimate a rumen from a high-forage diet to a high-concentrate diet takes time, usually 21 to 28 days switching back and forth is detrimental to the rumen microbial population.
Kent nutritionists have long advised against cafeteria-style feeding. The Nutrition Notes titled “Like to Play with Fire? Feed Cattle Grain in Self-Feeders and Hay in Big Round Bales” (5/6/89) addresses this issue. It points out that digestive upsets resulting from cattle switching back and forth between grain and roughage can lead to going off feed, acidosis, bloat, stiffness, founder, or enterotoxemia and death.
Kent Feeds has developed a line of products specifically for use in the self-feeder. Kent® No Roughage Calf 100R and 150R for growing and Kent NRB® 300R 90T for finishing are designed to replace roughage in the feedlot ration. Eliminating roughage from the diet saves the producer labor, especially if the dealer offers grind and mix service and can deliver the product directly to the self-feeder. The Kent no-roughage program is time tested and will deliver much more consistent results than cafeteria-style feeding in your feedlot.