Typical Background Diets for Calves

Producers retaining calves this fall and backgrounding them on farm need to 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 lbs/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 lbs/day
• Average weight - 700 lbs (starting weight 500 lbs, end weight 900 lbs)
• 200 days on feed
• Yardage cost - 30¢/hd/day or 15¢/lb of gain
• Dry matter (DM) intake - approximately 2.5% of body weight

Feed Conversion (DM basis) - lbs. 8.64

A 200 day feeding period for ration #1 would require about 1 tonne of hay and ½ tonne of grain corn per calf.

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Feed Conversion (DM basis) - lbs.- 8.62 

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

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Feed Conversion (DM basis) - lbs - 8.66

 A 200 day feeding period for ration #3 would require about ½ tonne of hay, 1½ tonnes of corn silage and ½ tonne of corn screenings per calf.

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Feed Conversion (DM basis) - lbs. - 8.67

 A 200 day feeding period for ration #4 would require about 1½ tonnes of corn silage and 1½ tonnes of haylage per calf.

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Feed Conversion (DM basis) - lbs. - 8.65

 A 200 day feeding period for ration #5 would require about 2 tonnes of corn silage, ½ tonne of HMC and cob meal and ½ tonne of corn gluten per calf.

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