Typical Beef Feedlot and Background Diets

Agdex#:	425/60
Publication Date:	March 2006
Order#:	06-017
Last Reviewed:	21 April 2006
History:	Not Available
Written by:	Dennis Martin - Beef Feedlot Specialist/OMAFRA

Balancing the cost of feed with the rate of gain is critical to improving the margins in your operation. The key is to ensure the ration is balanced to achieve your target rate of gain. The sample feed rations shown will help balance costs with the nutritional needs of the animal.

Typical Beef Feedlot and Background Diets

Producers retaining calves in the fall and backgrounding them on farm should develop a ration that will meet the requirements of the calves and ensure a reasonable rate of gain while controlling cost. Listed below are a number of different rations utilizing common feed ingredients found on farm or as close as the local feed store. These rations were developed to achieve 2 lb/day gain. Testing forages is key to ensuring calves are receiving the appropriate amount of grain and sup­plementation. Unbalanced rations may result in lower average daily gain and actually increase feed cost/lb of gain. In extreme cold weather, rations may need to be adjusted.

Assumptions

• Average daily gain (ADG): approximately 2 lb/day
• Average weight:
  700 lb (starting weight 500 lb, end weight 900 lb)
  318 kg (starting weight 227 kg, end weight 408 kg)
• 200 days on feed

Dry matter (DM) intake: approximately 2.5% of body weight

A 200-day feeding period for sample ration #1 would require about 1 t of hay and 1/2 t of grain corn per calf.

A 200-day feeding period for sample ration #2 would require about 1 t of hay and 2/3 t of mixed grain per calf.

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A 200-day feeding period for sample ration #3 would require about 1/2 t of hay, 1 1/2 t of corn silage and 1/2 t of corn screenings per calf.

A 200-day feeding period for sample ration #4 would require about 1 1/2 t of corn silage and 1/2 t of haylage per calf.

A 200-day feeding period for sample ration #5 would require about 2 t of corn silage, 1/2 t of high moisture corn and cob meal and 1/2 t of corn gluten per calf.

Typical Beef Feedlot Diets

High-energy feed, such as grain corn, is most often used in finishing diets, however, other feeds, generally 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 lb/month or an average daily gain of 3 lb 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 lb/day

Finishing diets (Rations #3 to #8): average daily gain (ADG) approximately 3 lb/day

Dry matter (DM) intake: approximately 2% of body weight for finishing diets

Plus Salt

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