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Bulls born during the spring of 2018 will be entering the final phase of the intensive finishing period and should now be offered ad-lib concentrates.
As feed costs will be at their highest level when feeding concentrates ad-lib, it is important to get maximum weight gain from animals to cover feed costs.
Ad-lib feeding requires herd owners to manage bulls carefully to avoid digestive upsets.
Outlined are five steps to help smooth the transition on to ad-lib feeding.
Build up to meal levels in steps
Rather than simply filling the trough and allowing bulls unrestricted access to concentrates, move bulls on to ad-lib feeding over a period of two weeks.
Bulls weighing 500kg to 550kg will currently be consuming 8kg to 10kg/day, so the step up to ad-lib will be relatively small.
Increase concentrates by 1kg/head every three to four days.
Reduce crude protein and increase energy
When finishing young bulls, getting sufficient fat cover on animals can be an issue, especially for continental breeds.
To increase fat cover, the energy and starch content of a ration is more important than protein.
Therefore, reduce crude protein in the ration from 16% to approximately 12% to 13%.
Increase energy and starch levels by increasing the barley and maize content in the ration.
When changing ration, gradually phase in the new blend over a period of two weeks to prevent any digestive upsets.
Start by mixing concentrates to offer 75% of the old ration and 25% of the new ration.
After four days, move to a 50:50 mix and then a 25:75 mix before phasing out the old ration entirely.
Do not let the feeder run empty
Ad-lib feeding means bulls should have concentrates in front of them at all times.
Therefore, do not let the feeders go empty.
If feeders do run empty, build the bulls back up to ad-lib levels again by feeding 3kg/head in three separate feeds in morning, afternoon and evening.
Do not simply refill the feeders and allow bulls, which are in a fasted state, to gorge on fresh concentrates as there is a risk of acidosis.
Fresh fibre
When feeding concentrates on an ad-lib basis, it is important to offer a good fibre source such as straw or hay. Silage can also be offered.
Keep straw fresh and, again, make sure bulls have a constant supply.
Fresh water
When bulls move to a high-concentrate diet, their water intake is increased.
Make sure animals have fresh, clean water at all times.
If bulls are queuing for water, then there is an issue with the flow rate and liveweight gain will be reduced.
To increase water supply, a larger drinking trough may be required or piping to increase the flow rate of water in drinking troughs.
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