110 likes | 207 Views
Discover the key differences between traditional and non-traditional beef raising programs, ensuring high-quality and flavorful meat. Learn about feeding strategies, growth milestones, and maintaining consistency for optimal results.
E N D
Feeding Programs Darrell Rankins, Jr. Extension Beef Cattle Nutrition, Auburn University
What do you want? • “If you don’t know where you’re going any road will get you there” – Don Ball • Majority of customers think they know what they want • Flavor • Tenderness • Guaranteed Good
Traditional Program • Tender beef that tastes like what they are accustomed to eating • Calf is weaned at 7-9 months of age • 550 pounds • Economical grower diet • ADG of 2 to 2.25 lbs/day • 800 pounds (12 months of age)
Traditional Program • Finishing diet • ADG of 3.25 lbs/day for 100 days • 1,100 pounds (15 months of age) • Marbling • Aging
Grower Diet • ADG of 2 to 2.25 lbs/day • Soyhulls/corn gluten blend fed at 2.5% of BW per day and free-choice roughage • Blended diets fed free-choice • High quality grazing – not summer perennials
Finishing Diet • Corn – traditional taste – many other options exist • BE CONSISTENT while feeding corn • Increase 4 pounds/day every 2 days until you reach 16 pounds • Feed 2% of BW per day until slaughter • At least .5% of BW roughage (long stem) • TM salt
Non-traditional Program(s) • Infinite number • Grass-fed • Pasture-raised • Natural • Organic
Random Thoughts • Weigh your cattle!!!!
Random Thoughts • Write it down!!!!
Random Thoughts • Calf should never have a bad day • Ionophores • Minimal stress