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Beef Feed Finishing

FINISHING CATTLE

Below are some pointers in relation to what you should be looking for in a finishing diet and secondly, feeding management for finishing cattle:

Aim for a high cereal based concentrate with a high proportion of cereal based ingredients, as it is well documented that energy is the most limiting nutrient in finishing diets. Energy is what drives live weight gain, increases kill‐out proportion, and is the most important nutrient to help you achieve an adequate fat cover. Out of all the feed ingredients, maize generally has the highest proportion of energy (1.05 UFV/11.7 ME) compared to wheat (1.01 UFV/11.3 ME) and barley (1.0 UFV/ 11.3)(figures are presented on a fresh weight basis). Secondly, maize is fermented less rapidly in the rumen compared to barley and wheat, Therefore, it is less likely to cause digestive issues.

FEEDING MANAGEMENT

Animal receive an a gradual adaption periods (as per table below).

Day
Concentrate (Kg)
Roughage Quantity
Feeding Regime
1 3 Ad libitum Once a day
5 4.5 Ad libitum Twice a day
9 6 Ad libitum Twice a day
13 7.5 Ad libitum Three times a day
17 9 Ad libitum Three times a day
21 10.5 Ad libitum Three times a day
24 Ad libitum 10% DM intake Ad
  • There always is a minimum roughage level in the diet (10% of total DM intake or 1kg of feed).
  • Feed is never allowed to run out.
  • Fresh water is always accessible.
  • Adequate air ventilation, lying space (2.3m2) and a trough space allocation of 600mm per animal

Below is a recommended table of concentrate supplementation (kg/day) necessary for steers (600 kg) animals to grow at 1.0 kg/day, when offered grass silage of varying dry digestibility (DMD) to appetite.

Grass Silage DMD
60
65
70
75
Finishing 9.0 10 7.0 8 5.5 6 4.0 5

 

If you need any advice on how to achieve optimal finishing strategies for your specific finishing system or to ensure you receive the most suitable diet for your cattle ring our Nutritionist on 043 666 0000.

NBF212: BUFFALO BEEF NUT

  • 14% Protein/High Energy finishing ration with a high cereal component (65%) to maximise weight gain
  • One of the best finishing nuts on the Market – 1.11 UFV (DM Basis) – no fillers included
  • High level of maize to help achieve optimal fat cover
  • Contains digestible fibres ‐ beet pulp & soya hulls to aid rumen Fermentation
  • Can be fed adlib and if so must be introduced over a 2 week period & supplemented with water and forage
  • Includes Acid Buf to prevent acidosis/laminitis and to enhance rumen function
  • Contains vitamins and minerals, supplying the full spectrum of essential elements at a feeding rate of 2kg/100kg live weight
  • Ideal when finishing cattle are fed concentrate at grass or about to be housed
  • Will help boost carcase gain, kill out percentage and conformation score

CBF165: HI MAIZE MIX

  • 13% Protein/High Energy finishing ration with a high cereal component (70%)
  • One of the best finishing blends on the market (1.12 UFV) – live weight gains of greater than 2kgs/day achievable under adlib feeding regimes
  • High content of Maize Meal (50%) to help achieve adequate fat cover and optimal average daily gain
  • Suitable for finishing heifers also
  • Contains soya hulls as a digestible fibre to aid rumen fermentation
  • Can be fed adlib and if so must be supplemented with water and forage
  • Includes Acid Buf to prevent acidosis/laminitis and to enhance rumen function
  • Contains vitamins and minerals, supplying the full spectrum of essential elements
  • Will help boost carcase gain, kill out percentage and conformation score
  • Contains high levels of zinc to improve hoof health and reduce lameness

NBF057: BULL POWER NUTS

  • Suitable for finishing cattle
  • 13% Protein/High Energy finishing nut with a high cereal component (50%) and secondly, contains a high level of digestible fibre (soya hulls & palm kernal) to aid rumen fermentation
  • Includes ACITSAF to improve rumen function and enhance performance
  • Care should be taking when feeding adlib as contains no rumen buffer
  • Contains vitamins and minerals, supplying the full spectrum of essential elements.
  • > 1.05 UFV (DM basis)

NBF154: HE BEEF NUTS

  • 15% Crude Protein cost effective nut to support a sustainable level of live weight gain in beef cattle
  • Barley based product
  • Nut is for less intensive systems – should not be fed at greater than 5kg per day
  • Must be fed as a complement to forage
  • Contains vitamins and minerals, supplying the full spectrum of essential nutrients

CLASSIFIED BULL MIX

  • 13% Crude Protein/high barley finishing ration
  • Very high cereal component – 70%
  • High levels of flaked maize
  • High in energy (1.10 UFV) to drive on weight gain
  • Suitable for feeding to bullocks, bulls & heifers
  • Can be fed adlib but must be introduced slowly over a 3 week period
  • Contains vitamins and minerals, supplying the full spectrum of essential elements at a feeding rate of 2kg/100kg liveweight
  • Crunchy palatable finishing ration

CBF957: SUPREME BULL FINISHER

  • 14% Crude Protein Bull Finisher blend
  • Ideal for finishing all types of cattle – particularly young bulls
  • Contains approx. 35% Rolled Barley
  • Contains beet pulp and soya hulls to aid rumen function
  • Care should be taken when feeding adlib as contains no rumen buffer
  • Contains vitamins and minerals