Is corn silage good for calves?

Is corn silage good for calves?

Corn silage contains 70% energy, which is somewhat lower than barley, but considerably more than dry hay. ration including some additional protein and supplements. “Calf growth was generally very good and the mixed diet was easy to feed, with no digestive upsets or calf losses,” Anderson says.

How much grain does a 700 lb calf need?

The average weight for the next month will be about 770 pounds. The average amount of grain will be: o 770 * 1.5% = 11.55 pounds/88% Dry Matter o = 13 pounds of grain per day. The increases need to be done slowly so the calf does not get acidosis and go off grain feed.

How do you feed corn silage to cattle?

Consider adding 5 to 6 lb per head per day of low quality forage like straw or corn stalks. Adding 6 lbs of ground corn stalks (50% TDN, 5% crude protein, 88% D.M.) on a D.M. basis to the diet will help in mixing and delivering the silage. These cows should gain body condition under typical winter conditions.

How much silage should I feed my calf?

Cattle will commonly consume corn silage at a rate of 5 to 7 pounds per 100 pounds of body weight. A 500-pound feeder calf may consume 25 to 35 pounds of corn silage as-fed daily. Corn silage is higher in energy than other stored forages as a result of the grain content.

How much grain should I feed my 600 lb calf?

For example, a 600 pound calf will eat 15-18 pounds of dry matter (2.5-3% of body weight) and a 1000 pound calf will eat 20-25 pounds of dry matter per day (2-2.5% of body weight).

How much silage do calves need for winter?

Calves will need 4 to 5 pounds of a grain-protein mixture per head daily to average 1.2 pounds daily on winter fescue pastures (Table 3). Forage sorghum, small grain and grass legume silages work well for wintering calves but are lower in energy than corn silage.

How much corn silage does a cow need to gain weight?

A full feed of good-quality corn silage supplemented with protein, minerals and Vitamin A will produce from 1.5 to 1.8 pounds of daily gain on a 400- to 500-pound calf. Some grain additions will usually be needed to get 2.0 pounds daily gain.

What is backgrounding in cattle farming?

Backgrounding is the growing of steers and heifers from weaning until they enter the feedlot for finishing. It is suited to farmers who do not want to maintain a cow herd, do not want to finish cattle, but do want to put added weight on calves after weaning. Backgrounding seems to fit the farmer who:

How big do steer calves need to be for backgrounding?

Steer calves weighing 400-600 pounds in thin to moderate condition are best suited for most backgrounding programs. These calves are ready for finishing when they reach 850-1,000 pounds and usually are in high demand by cattle feeders.