Typical Beef Feedlot Diets
Published: January 14, 2009
Source : OMAFRA publication
High energy feed such as grain corn is most often used in finishing diets, however, other feeds general in combination with corn, or corn products, can also be used. The key is to ensure the ration is balanced to achieve your target rate of gain. Many feedlot operators aim for a gain of 100 lbs./month or an average daily gain of 3 lbs. or better per animal. Listed below are a few sample feedlot rations to review.
Assumptions
- Backgrounding yearling diets (Rations #1 and #2) - average daily gain ADG) approximately 2.5 lbs. daily
- Finishing diets (Rations #3 and #8) - average daily gain (ADG) - approximately 3 lbs./day
- Dry matter (DM) intake - approximately 2% of body weight for finishing diets
Ration #1 - Backgrounding Diet (900 lb. yearlings)
|
|
Kgs. Fed/Day
|
Lbs. Fed/Day
|
|---|---|---|
|
Corn Silage
|
15
|
33
|
|
HM Corn + Cob Meal
|
3.5
|
7.7
|
|
Corn Gluten
|
2
|
4.4
|
|
Mineral/Salt - Premix
|
.120
|
.26
|
Ration #2 - Backgrounding Diet (l,000 lb. yearlings)
|
|
Kgs. Fed/Day
|
Lbs. Fed/Day
|
|---|---|---|
|
Hay
|
1
|
2.2
|
|
Corn Silage
|
14
|
30
|
|
Dry Corn
|
5
|
11
|
|
Supplement
|
.6
|
1.3
|
Plus Salt
Ration #3 - Finishing Diet (1,250 Steers)
Ration #3 - Finishing Diet (1,250 Steers)
|
|
Kgs. Fed/Day
|
Lbs. Fed/Day
|
|---|---|---|
|
Dry Hay
|
1
|
2.2
|
|
Corn
|
7
|
15.4
|
|
Barley
|
4
|
8.8
|
|
Wheat
|
1
|
2.2
|
|
Supplement/Premix
|
.7
|
1.5
|
Plus Salt
Ration #4 - Finishing Diet (1,300 Heifers)
Ration #4 - Finishing Diet (1,300 Heifers)
|
|
Kgs. Fed/Day
|
Lbs. Fed/Day
|
|---|---|---|
|
Corn Silage
|
8
|
17.6
|
|
Dry Corn
|
3
|
6.6
|
|
HM Corn & Cob
|
8
|
17.6
|
|
Corn Gluten
|
2
|
4.4
|
Plus Salt and Mineral
Ration #5 - Finishing Diet (1,200 Steers/Heifers)
Ration #5 - Finishing Diet (1,200 Steers/Heifers)
|
|
Kgs. Fed/Day
|
Lbs. Fed/Day
|
|---|---|---|
|
Dry Corn
|
6
|
13.2
|
|
HM Corn
|
6
|
13.2
|
|
Corn Silage
|
4.5
|
9.9
|
|
Supplement
|
.7
|
1.5
|
Plus Salt
Ration #6 - Finishing Diet (1,100 Steers)
Ration #6 - Finishing Diet (1,100 Steers)
|
|
Kgs. Fed/Day
|
Lbs. Fed/Day
|
|---|---|---|
|
Dry Corn
|
8
|
17.6
|
|
Barley
|
2
|
4.4
|
|
Alfalfa Silage
|
2
|
4.4
|
|
Corn Silage
|
2
|
4.4
|
|
Soybean Meal
|
.5
|
1.1
|
|
Limestone
|
.07
|
.16
|
|
TM Salt
|
.04
|
.09
|
Ration #7 - Finishing Diet (Average Weight - 1,300 lbs.)
|
|
Kgs. Fed/Day
|
Lbs. Fed/Day
|
|---|---|---|
|
HM Corn & Cob Meal
|
6.8
|
15
|
|
Dry Corn
|
5
|
11
|
|
Barley
|
2.3
|
5
|
|
Hay
|
.9
|
2
|
|
Supplement
|
.7
|
1.5
|
Plus Salt
Ration #8 - Finishing Diet (1,250 Steers)
Ration #8 - Finishing Diet (1,250 Steers)
|
|
Kgs. Fed/Day
|
Lbs. Fed/Day
|
|---|---|---|
|
Dry Corn
|
11.4
|
25
|
|
Hay
|
1.4
|
3
|
|
Supplement/Premix
|
.7
|
1.5
|
Cost of Ration #8 (High Corn Diet) Calculated at Three Different Corn Prices
Assumptions
- ADG - 3 lbs/day
- Supplement - $350/t
- Dry Hay - $100/t
Table 1
|
Corn Price
|
Total Daily Feed Cost
|
Total Feed Cost/lb. of Gain
|
|---|---|---|
|
$100/t
|
$1.50
|
50�
|
|
$120/t
|
$1.74
|
58�
|
|
$140/t
|
$1.98
|
66�
|
As indicated in Table #1, the price of corn can have a huge impact on cost of gain. The other important factor that can influence the cost of gain is performance of cattle. Average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency or feed conversion are both good measures of performance. Factors affecting performance are:
- The Ration - quality of feed and balanced for essential nutrients.
- Environmental - air quality, animal comfort and bunk space.
- Quality of Cattle - genetics, body condition and health.
By Dennis Martin - Beef Feedlot Specialist/OMAFRA
Government of Ontario Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Government of Ontario Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Source
OMAFRA publicationRelated topics:
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