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The weight of a bull that is up for sale should increase by an average of 800g to 1kg/day from weaning to sale. To achieve this, the animal must be supplemented with natural protein (moderate energy) to ensure good muscle growth while ensuring the animals does not become overly fat.
Table 1 provides an example of such rations on veld grazing and in the feedlot.
Table 1: TMR and cafeteria rations for cattle destined for auctions and shows
| Mixing instructions (as is basis) | Concentrate | TMR | TMR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Molatek Beesvet 33+ | kg | 160 | 160 | 160 |
| Grain/chop | kg | 790 | 650 | 640 |
| Molatek Bypass | kg | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Maize silage (35% DM) | kg | **** | **** | 350 |
| Roughage | kg | Ad lib | 150 | 75 |
| Total | kg | 1 000 | 1 010 | 1 275 |
| Composition (12% moisture) | ||||
| Moisture | Max g/kg | 120 | 120 | 120 |
| CP | Max g/kg | 155 | 148 | 145 |
| Urea | Max g/kg | 14,7 | 14,7 | 13,9 |
| Roughage | Max g/kg | 88 | 130 | 125 |
| Ca | Max g/kg | 8,1 | 8,3 | 7,8 |
| P | Max g/kg | 3,6 | 3,5 | 3,3 |
Quantities depend on bulls’ required growth rate and condition. If bulls put on weight too quickly, the total mixed ration (TMR) must be restricted and extra hay provided separately. Start the feeding programme at least 150 days before the auction; this allows for the concentrate to be reduced towards the end of the period while providing extra hay separately. This allows the bulls’ rumens time to adapt and makes it easier for the animals to adapt to the buyer’s farm and grazing.
Follow a comprehensive health programme for optimal production and reproduction.
Show and auction prep tips
Adapt and tame the animals early on. Provide adequate kraal and trough space as well as shade. Ensure clean, cool drinking water at around 40-60â„“/cattle/day at all times. Stimulate water intake by mixing in small amounts of molasses syrup.
Feed the cattle a high-quality diet only. For a shiny coat, replace Molatek Bypass with cottonseed during the last 30 days of preparation. Allow for an adaptation period of at least 14 days when switching animals from veld to a show ration.
Formulate your auction and show feeding strategy well in advance – breed, sex and age play a role. The ration given at shows and auctions must be the same as the one given on the farm. A portion of the grain component can be replaced with molasses meal. Reduce stress during animal handling.
Feed tips
Grind roughage through a 50mm sieve when mixing total mixed rations (TMRs).
Roughage or pasture should be available ad lib when following a cafeteria system.
Maize can be partially replaced with small grains (50% with barley or triticale, and 20% with wheat) and 50% with grain sorghum or 100% with hominy chop.
Diets that are too dry (without silage) tend to restrict intake. Add 5 to 10% water/ton of feed. Monitor and adjust intakes to attain the required condition.
This feed contains medications to combat acidosis and improve feed conversion and growth. The mixtures are suitable for backgrounding on pasture, or for preconditioning at 1 to 1,5% of bodyweight on summer or winter pasture or in camps with long hay to prepare the rumen for the feedlot ration.
Total TMR adaptation
- Day 1-5: Limit TMR to 1,8% of bodyweight/animal/day plus ad lib long hay.
- Day 6-14: TMR plus ad lib long hay.
- If animals are fully adapted and show no signs of acidosis, only the TMR is fed ad lib after day 14.
Cafeteria ration adaptation
Provide ad lib access to forage or pasture:
- Day 1-2: Limit concentrate intake to 1% of bodyweight (2kg/220kg animal/day) plus ad lib hay/roughage or winter pasture.
- Day 3-4: Limit concentrate intake to 1,4% of bodyweight (3kg/220kg animal/day) plus ad lib hay/roughage or winter pasture.
- Day 5-6: Limit concentrate intake to 1,8% of bodyweight (4kg/220kg animal/day) plus ad lib hay/roughage or winter pasture.
- Day 7-10: Limit concentrate intake to 2,3% of bodyweight (5kg/220kg animal/day) plus ad lib hay/roughage or winter pasture. – Dr Vlok Ferreira, national technical manager, ruminants, Molatek
For more information, contact Dr Vlok Ferreira at 082 464 4661 or Vlok.Ferreira@rclfoods.com.
