BEEF NUTRITION
Full feeding can save you money in this cattle market
By Dr. Dan Netemeyer, MFA Director of Nutrition

Some cattle producers have elected to hand feed at less than 10 lbs/hd/day rather than full feed. They do this so when some of the cattle don't come up to the bunk, they know the cattle may not be feeling good. Another reason is they feel they lower costs by not full feeding. Another is they feel full feeding any kind of grain is dangerous and can cause bloat, acidosis and founder.

I would like to address these issues in some kind of practical manner.

Issue 1: "I can tell if one is not feeling good if they don't come up to the bunk to eat." This is true and may be the only real advantage to hand feeding.

Issue 2: "I can lower costs by hand feeding because I reduce the amount they consume during this period of time."

This may appear true, but when the cattle don't gain as good, have an increased incidence of sickness and must actually stay on Cattle Charge longer to have them in good health, I believe the cost savings are not there. The actual costs are higher because cattle full fed Cattle Charge are not only healthier, but they also convert every four pounds of feed to a pound of gain. With cattle prices as good as they are, any reduced gain is lost money if these cattle are to be sold. If Cattle Charge costs $0.08/lb., it will cost you only $0.32 for a pound of gain.

Issue 3: "I'm afraid of bloat, acidosis or founder if I let them have all they want." On most feeds this is true. However, with Cattle Charge the opposite is true. We have had few bloats and only two founder cattle out of more than 300,000 tons sold since its development. The few bloats we did have were in most cases when cattle were hand fed less than 10 lbs/hd/day. I'm not sure if this is because they gorge themselves when they are fed or if there is not enough bunk space, causing the bossy cattle to eat twice as much as normal or some other reason.

When fed free choice, cattle can all get to the feeder eventually. This allows them to eat several times per day, reducing the meal size. Cattle will consume what they desire without gorging themselves. They also get a nice, almost continuous medication from AS-700 or Bovatec. The cattle are less stressed, have less digestive problems and therefore are healthier and gain better.

In all cases, whether hand feeding or full feeding, hay should be available at all times.

In reality, cattle will actually eat more feed when hand fed all they want two times per day than when full fed. Not too often is this as desirable as full feeding.

Furthermore, when hand feeding Cattle Charge at 10 lbs/hd/day, which is the recommended intake, most cattle are at full feed anyway. It isn't until weaned calves get three weeks to 30 days past weaning that they eat more than this.

Summary:
Hand feeding Cattle Charge at any level less than 10 lbs/hd/day for weaned calves is usually a mistake. If one only feeds five pounds, the medication and all special nutritional characteristics of the feed are cut in half. Hand feeding at 10 lbs/hd/day solves this problem but enhances the dangers of bossy cattle and gorging. Let them have it full feed and let Cattle Charge work for you.

Full Feed: Having feed available to the cattle around the clock.