LUBBOCK — Feeding supplements to steers and heifers grazing wheat pasture isn’t always a cost-effective way to boost gain-per- head, says a Texas Agricultural Extension Service beef cattle specialist.
“Supplements for wheat pasture cattle have their place, but supplemental feeding isn’t always economical,” said Dr. Ted McCollum, Extension beef cattle specialist based in Amarillo. “Pencil-out your supplement cost and then compare it to the market value of the additional weight gains it may produce.
“As a general rule of thumb, each pound of added weight gain is only worth about 50 cents because of price rollback in the market place. Aside from costs-returns, you also need to consider what those cattle really need in a good pasture supplement.”
Most cattle grazing wheat pasture have relatively low supplemental mineral requirements. Cattle raisers should feed a mineral supplement calcium. Magnesium is of less concern for stocker cattle, but it is a good idea to feed supplements containing magnesium to mature cows in order to prevent grass tetany, the specialist said.
“If adding weight gain is your goal, and the cost-returns are right, your supplement should contain an ionophore such as Rumensin or Bovatec,” McCollum said. “Aside from promoting weight gain, experience has shown that Rumensin also helps prevent bloat. Bovatec is a good additive, too, but the cattle will need to ingest at or near the recommended dosage for it to readily enhance gain.
“Just remember that feeds containing ionophores are not cleared for use in self feeders. You have to limit daily intake in some way.”
Energy and protein are two other key ingredients to consider, he said.
“Grain is a good source of energy, but low-quality roughage is not. Feeding low-quality roughage won’t increase gains, but it can help prevent bloat,” he said. “A wheat forage-only diet will produce better gains than a wheat forage-roughage diet. Wheat forage plus grain can be even better.
“Grain-based supplements that contain Rumensin or Bovatec are most economical when fed at relatively low rate — somewhere around two pounds per day per head, or less.”
Feeding silage as a supplement is another option.
“You can stretch the available forage and perhaps use a higher stocking rate by feeding silage,” he said. “It’s also a good, nutritious feed that can help you maintain or boost gains during forage-deficit periods.”
Feeding times can be just as important as supplement ingredients, the specialist said.
“Don’t feed your supplement when the cattle are hungriest (early morning), or when they have already filled up on forage (afternoon),” McCollum said. “Wheat should be their main course meal. Feed your supplement as a dessert — after the cattle have finished their morning grazing.”
(NOTE: Brand names appearing in this article are used for product identification. No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism of similar products not mentioned.)
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