This publication explains feed and nutrient requirements for different ages and classes of cattle including intake, energy, roughage, grain, protein, vitamins, and minerals. It also provides two procedures and tables for balancing rations. Nutritional supplements are also discussed

Bruce, L. B.

Minyard, J. A.

English

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South Dakota State University Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange SDSU Extension Fact Sheets SDSU Extension 1984 Calculating Beef Cattle Rations L. B. Bruce J. A. Minyard Follow this and additional works at: https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/extension_fact Recommended Citation Bruce, L. B. and Minyard, J. A., "Calculating Beef Cattle Rations" (1984). SDSU Extension Fact Sheets. 1372. https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/extension_fact/1372 This Fact Sheet is brought to you for free and open access by the SDSU Extension at Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in SDSU Extension Fact Sheets by an authorized administrator of Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange. For more information, please contact michael.biondo@sdstate.edu. Historic, archived doculllent Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. SDSU ® Extension For current policies and practices, contact SDSU Extension Website: extension.sdstate.edu Phone: Email: 605-688-4 792 sdsu.extension@sdstate.edu SDSU Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer in accordance with the nondiscrimination policies of South Dakota State University, the South Dakota Board of Regents and the United States Department of Agriculture. FS 78 Calculating Beef Cattle Rations -::: ~ ---..... ~ ~ -"-,,, / ~ s I Cooperative Extension Service South Dakota State University U.S. Department of Agriculture ( ) FS 78 t ~ ~ Calculating Beef Cattle Rations L.B. Bruce, Extension specialist, ruminant nutrition J.A. Minyard Extension beef specialist To get optimum performance out of your beef enterprise, you need as many different feed rations as you have ages and classes of cattle . Finishing cattle require different rations than growing cattle; older, dry cows need different feed than heifer calves, etc. The nutrient requirements listed here for various ages, classes, and rates of gain are a guide to he Ip you determine proper rations . Feed Requirements Nine distinct groups of cattle can be readily identified: 1) growing-finishing steers (medium and large frame), 2) growing-finishing heifers (medium and large frame), 3) pregnant yearling heifers, 4) dry pregnant cows (middle third of pregnancy), 5) dry pregnant cows (last third of pregnancy), 6) 2-year-old heifers nursing calves, 7) cows nursing calves (average milking ability), 8) cows nursing calves (superior milking ab ii ity), and 9) bulls . All groups should have access to clean water and trace m inera I salt . Intake. A ration may contain the proper balance of required nutrients but still be deficient if cattle do not eat the expected amount. Cattle on full feed ·will consume about 2.5 lb of good quality feed (6-8 lb for silages) for every 100 lb of live weight. Intake is also affected by the quality and form of feed offered . Table 1 lists minimum daily dry matter needs for each group . If cattle fail to eat this minimum, the diet may be nutritionally inadequate . Energy. Energy is the most important constituent of the diet; needed energy levels must be met first. There are several ways to measure energy . Th is guide uses total digestible nutrients (TON) as a measure of energy because of ease of use and the large amount of data available on TON . Other equations and formulas are available . TON is not a nutrient; it is a term that expresses the amount of available energy in a feed . Roughage. Roughage keeps the rumen healthy and functioning. Ten to 20% of the ration is normally considered minimum for roughage. Roughages can be anything from cobs or hulls to hay . Grain. There is no minimum grain requirement. Some cattle, such as beef cows in early to mid pregnancy, can be adequately fed on good quality roughages alone . C rains become necessary when faster gains or finishing is required or when only poor roughages are available. Protein. Protein requirements are listed in Table 1 as crude protein. They should be considered minimum. Higher amounts of natural protein can be safely fed because the excesses are utilized as energy. However, protein feeds can be an expensive energy source . Vitamins. Ruminants are relatively efficient at synthesizing vitamin C and the B vitamins but may need vitamins A, D, and E. Of these, vitamin A will most likely be deficient, especially in poor quality roughages . Cattle, especially young calves and pregnant animals, may need vitamin A supplementation . Minerals. Salt should always be provided, and trace mineral salt may be desirable. Major minerals to be concerned about are calcium and phosphorus . Rations high in roughages will tend to be high in calcium and low in phosphorus . On the other hand, high-concentrate rations will tend to Qe relatively high in phosphorus and low in calcium . Calcium/phosphorus ratio should be in the range of 1-6 parts calcium to one part of phosphorus. Never let phosphorus exceed calcium . For high-concentrate rations, mineral supplements should be high in calcium and low in phosphorus (limestone is a good choice). With other rations, a higher phosphorus supplement such as dicalcium phosphate will generally be satisfactory . Using the Tables Table 1 I ists nutrient requirements by group, then by weight and desired gains where applicable. Table 2 shows the composition of feeds commonly used in South Dakota . Information includes feed name, percent dry matter (DM), and percent composition on a dry matter basis for total digestible nutrients (TON), crude protein (CP), calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P), Tables 3 and 4 are worksheets for balancing rations. It is best to have your feeds analyzed and use those values instead of Table 2. Balancing Rations Two separate procedures are outlined. The first helps you formulate a nutritionally balanced ration. The second checks your feed combinations for nutritional adequacy . Ration costs may be calculated for either of the procedures . When formulating a ration, use only dry matter intake and TON values for balancing, and then use supplements to correct for protein , calcium, or phosphorus def ic ienc ies . Work with two feeds at a time, or your math will be too complicated . Most on-farm rations rarely have more than two major ingredients or feed types, excluding supp le men ts . If you have more than two major ingredients, combine similar feeds and use the weighted average feed value . A weighted average (two feeds combined) value may be Table 1. Nutrient requirements of beef cattle' Growing and finishing cattle Ory Matter Basis Daily Ory Matter Weight Cain Intake TON Protein Calcium Phosphorus (lb) (lb) (lb) (lb) (%) (lb) (%) (lb) (lb) Medium frame steer calves ( 400 1 .5 10.8 6.80 63.0 1 .24 11.5 .051 .027 2.0 11 .0 7.43 67.5 1.41 12.7 .062 .029 2.5 11 .0 8.09 73.5 1 .56 14.2 .075 .033 600 2.0 15 .0 10.13 67 .5 1.57 10.5 .060 .033 2.5 14.9 10.95 73 .5 1 .69 11.4 .069 .036 3.0 13.5 11.48 85 .0 1.73 12.9 .077 .039 800 2.0 18.6 12.56 67.5 1.72 9.2 .058 .037 2.5 18.5 13.80 73 .5 1 .81 9.8 .065 .039 3.0 16.8 14.28 85.0 1.81 10.8 .071 .042 1000 2.0 22.0 14.85 67.5 1.83 8.4 .055 .042 2 .5 21.9 16.10 73.5 1.92 8.8 .059 .042 3.0 19.8 16.83 85 .0 1 .88 9.5 .063 .044 Large frame steer calves 400 1.5 11.3 6.72 59.5 1.30 11.4 .053 .026 2.0 11.7 7.43 63.5 1.47 12.7 .067 .030 2.5 11 .9 8.03 67.5 1.64 13.9 .077 .036 600 2.0 15 .8 10.03 63 .5 1.04 10.5 .063 .035 2.5 16.1 10.87 67.5 1.11 11.3 .076 .037 3.0 16.1 11.59 72.0 1 .18 12 .1 .084 .042 800 2.0 19.6 12.45 63.5 1 .82 9.3 .063 .039 2.5 19.9 13.43 67.5 1.96 9.8 .070 .042 3.0 19.9 14.33 72.0 2.07 10.4 .080 .044 1000 2.0 23 .2 14.73 63 .5 1.98 8.6 .063 .042 2 .5 23 .6 15.93 67.5 2.09 8.9 .068 .045 3.0 23.6 16.99 72.0 2.19 9.3 .076 .047 1100 2.0 24.9 15.81 63.5 2.05 8.3 .062 .045 2.5 25.3 17.08 67.5 2.16 8.5 .066 .046 3.0 25.3 18.22 72.0 2.25 8.9 .073 .048 Medium frame heifer calves 400 1.0 9.9 6.14 62.0 1.01 10.2 .036 .020 1.5 10.2 6.99 68.5 1.17 11.4 .046 .024 2.0 10.0 7.70 77.0 1.29 12.9 .057 .029 600 1.0 13.5 8.37 62 .0 1.19 8 .8 .038 .027 1.5 13.8 9.45 68.5 1 .32 9.5 .044 .029 2.0 13.5 10.40 77.0 1.41 10.4 .051 .031 800 1 .0 16.7 10.35 62 .0 1 .36 8.1 .037 .030 1.5 17.2 11.78 68.5 1.46 8 .5 .041 .033 2.0 16.8 12.94 77.0 1 .51 9.0 .047 .034 1000 1 .0 19.8 12.28 62.0 1.51 7.6 .040 .036 1.5 20.3 13.91 68.5 1.59 7.8 .043 .037 2.0 19.8 15.25 77.0 1.61 8.1 .044 .038 Large frame heifer calves 400 1 .5 10.9 6.98 64.0 1.23 11 .3 .049 .024 2.0 11.1 7.71 69.5 1.38 12.6 .060 .029 2.5 10.8 8.32 77.0 1 .51 14.1 .070 .033 600 1 .5 14.8 9.47 64.0 1.41 9.6 .049 .028 2.0 15.0 10.43 69.5 1.54 10.3 .057 .033 2.5 14.6 11.24 77.0 1.63 11 .2 .064 .035 Growing and finishing cattle Ory Matter Basis Daily Dry Matter Weight Gain Intake TON Protein Calcium Phosphorus (lb) (lb) (lb) (lb) (%) (lb) (%) (lb) (lb) 800 1 .5 18.3 11 .71 64.0 1 .57 8 .6 .046 .033 ( 2.0 18.6 12 .93 69 .5 1 .67 · 9.0 .052 .035 2.5 18.1 13.94 77.0 1.74 9.6 .060 .038 1000 1 .5 21.7 13.89 64.0 1.71 8 .0 .046 .039 2.0 22 .0 15 .29 69.5 1 .80 8 .2 .051 .040 2.5 21 .5 16.56 77.0 1 .83 8.6 .054 .039 Beef cattle, breeding ( Dry Matter Basis Daily Dry Matter Weight Gain Intake TON Protein Calcium Phosphorus (lb) (lb) (lb) (lb) (%) (lb) (%) (lb) (lb) >.--\ Pregnant yearling heifers, last 3-4 months of pregnancy 700 0.9 15.3 8.5 55.4 1 .3 8.4 .042 .031 1.4 15 .8 9.6 60.3 1.4 9.0 .053 .033 1 .9 15 .8 10.6 67 .0 1 .5 9.8 .060 .035 800 0 .9 16.8 9.2 54.8 1.4 8.2 .046 .033 1.4 17.4 10.4 59.6 1 .5 8.8 .055 .035 1 .9 17.5 11 .6 66.1 1.6 9.3 .062 .037 900 0 .9 18.3 9.9 54.3 1 .5 8 .1 .049 .037 1.4 19.0 11 .3 59.1 1 .6 8.5 .057 .040 1.9 19.2 12.5 65.4 1.7 9.0 .062 .042 Dry pregnant mature cows, middle third of pregnancy 1000 18.1 8 .8 48.8 1 .3 7.0 .033 .033 1200 20.8 10.1 48 .8 1.4 6 .9 .040 .040 1400 23 .3 J.&--7 48 .8 ;/. Lf 1 .6 6.9 .046 .046 I Dry pregnant mature cows, last third of pregnancy I 1000 0 .9 19.6 10.5 53.6 1 .6 7.9 .051 .040 r 1200 0.9 22.3 11 .8 52.9 1.7 7.8 .057 .046 I 1400 0.9 24.9 13 .1 52 .5 ..1--:-B- 7.6 .046 .053 I, , 2-year-old heifers nursing calves, first 3-4 months postpartum 700 .5 15 .9 10.3 65 .1 1 .8 11.3 .057 .037 800 .5 17.6 11 .2 63 .8 1 .9 10.8 .060 .042 I 900 .5 19.2 12 .0 62.7 2.0 10.4 .062 .044 Cows nursing calves, average milking ability, first 3-4 months postpartum I 1000 20.2 11 .5 56.6 2.0 9.6 .055 .044 I 1200 23.0 12.8 55.5 2.1 9.3 .062 .051 \ 1400 25 .6 14.0 54.7 2.3 9.0 .068 .057 Cows nursing calves, superior milking ability, first 3-4 months postpartum l 1000 20.6 13 .8 67.0 2.5 12 .3 .079 .055 1200 23 .8 15 .2 63 .7 2.7 11 .5 .086 .062 1400 26.7 16.5 61.7 2.9 11 .0 .093 .068 I Bulls, slow growth and maintenance (moderate activity) I I 1300 1 .5 26.1 15 .6 59.7 2.0 7.9 .062 .051 \ 1500 1 .0 28 .3 15.8 55 .8 2.1 7.4 .060 .053 \ 2000 0 31 .3 15 .2 48.4 2.1 6.8 .066 .066 'Adapted from National Research Council, Sixth Revised Edition, 1984 ___., Table 2. Composition of feeds. 1 Table 3. Ration Balancing Worksheet ---100% dry matter basis---Animal Requirements (from table 1) Examele Crude OM TON Prot. Ca p % % % % % Dry matter intake, lb a 20 Concentrates --Sarley 88 84 13.5 0.06 0.39 TON needed, % OM* basis b .60 Ground· ear corn 87 83 9.0 0.07 0.27 Shelled corn 88 90 10.0 0.02 0.35 ( Distillers grains, dehydrated 94 86 23 .0 0.11 0.43 Grain or Concentrate** Shelled corn Distillers solubles, dehydrated 93 88 29.7 0.35 1.37 Millet, proso 90 84 12.9 O.D3 0.34 Dry matter, % C .88 Milo 88 83 12.5 0.04 0.36 Oats 89 77 13.3 O.o7 0.38 Rye 88 84 138 0.07 0.37 TON, % d .90 Wheat 89 88 16.0 0.04 0.42 Wheat screenings 89 71 15.8 0.15 0.39 Roughages, harvested Roughage*** Alf . hay late bloom Alfalfa, dehyrated, 17% protein 92 61 18.9 1.52 0.25 Alfalfa hay early bloom 90 60 18.0 1.41 0.22 Dry matter, % Alfalfa hay med . bloom 90 58 17.0 1.41 0.24 e .90 Alfalfa hay late bloom 90 52 14.0 1.43 0.25 Alfalfa silage, midbloom 38 58 15.5 1.41 0 .24 Alfalfa-brome, hay 91 55 16.0 130 0.26 TON, % .52 Barley, straw 91 40 4.3 0.30 O.o7 Brome hay 90 56 14.6 0.29 0.28 Clover hay 89 55 16.0 1.53 0.25 Lb grain or concentrate per hd Corn stalks 85 50 6.6 0.57 0.10 daily=~ 4.21 Corn cobs, ground 90 50 3.2 0.12 0.04 (d-f) Corn silage, well eared 33 70 8.1 0.23 0.22 Oats silage, dough stage 35 57 10.0 0.47 0.33 Lb roughage/day = a-g = h 15.79 Oats hay 91 55 9.3 0.24 0.22 Oats straw 92 45 4.4 0.24 0.06 Lb grain/cone., " as fed basis" Prairie hay, early cut 90 53 8.5 0.57 0.19 = g/c= 4.78 Prairie hay, average 90 51 5.8 0.35 0.21 Prairie hay, late cut 90 47 4.5 0.35 0.10 Lb roughage, " as fed basis" Rye straw 90 31 3.0 0.24 0.09 = h/e= 17.54 Sorghum silage 30 60 7.5 0.35 0.21 Sorghum stover 88 54 5.2 0.52 0.13 Sorghum-sudan hay 91 56 8.0 0.55 0.30 * For calculations, all percent values are expressed as a decimal fraction. Stalkage, corn and sorghum 88 50 5.2 0.30 0.10 Sweet clover hay 87 54 15.7 1.27 0.25 ** Can be a particular grain or a combination of concentrate feeds. Wheat straw 89 41 3.6 0.18 0.05 * * * Can be a particular kind of roughage or a combination of roughages . Wheat grass hay, early cut 90 57 12.0 0.35 0.30 Wheat grass hay, late cut 90 50 6.5 0.35 0.15 ( Roughages, grazed Crop residue, corn and sorghum First 30 days 38 50 6.5 0.30 0.11 After 30 days 45 46 4.5 0.30 0.08 Mixed native plants Late spring and early summer 28 56 11.0 0.38 0.22 Late summer 31 53 7.5 0.38 0.18 Early fall 37 52 6.5 0.38 0.15 Late fall 45 50 5.5 0.35 0.14 Winter, good range condition 80 48 4.5 0.35 0.09 Winter, poor range condition 80 43 4.0 0.35 0.06 Wheat grass pasture early spring and fall 28 58 13.0 0.40 0.30 Supplements, mineral Bonemeal 97 8.4 31 .53 14.22 Dicalcium phosphate 97 22.00 19.30 Limestone 99 34.00 .02 Supplements, protein Cottonseed meal 91 76 45.2 0.18 1.21 Linseed meal 91 78 38.3 0.43 0.89 Soybean meal , 44% 89 84 49.9 0.33 0.71 Urea 100 287.0 'Adapted from National Research Council , Sixth Revised Edition, 1984 ( ( Table 4. Ration check worksheet. 2 3 4 5 Feed Feed Feed Calculations Example one two three A. Feed name . xxxx Corn B. Amount of feed XXX 8 lbs used C. % dry matter of xxxx .88 feed* D. Lb dm provided BXC 7.04 E. % TON of feed XXX .90 F. Lb TON provided DXE 6.34 G. % CP of feed XXX .1 H. Lb CP provided DXG .70 I. % Ca of feed XXX .0002 J. Lb Ca provided DX I .0014 K. % P of feed XXX .0035 L. Lb P provided DXK .0246 M. Cost/lb XXX .0560 N. Total feed cost BX M .448 T. Amount of feed, DIC 8 lbs as fed basis ~ For calculations, write al I percent values as a decimal fracti o n. calculated as follows : multiply the percent (use dee imal form for each percent) of each feed by its dry matter percent and add these together (provides percent of dry matter fed). Then multiply percent of each feed by its dry matter percent and then by its nutrient percent (OM, TON, CP, Ca; or P) . Add the respective numbers together. Next divide this number by total percent dry matter provided to get nutrient percent on a dry basis . Example: What is the TON content of a 60% corn silage and 40% corn mix? .6 (percent corn silage) x .33 (percent dry matter of corn silage) = .198 .4 (percent corn) x .88 (percent dry matter of corn) = .352 .198 + .352 = .550, the dry matter content of the mix For TON : .198 x .70 (TON value from Table 2) = .139 .352 x .90 (TON value from Table 2) = .317 .139 + .31 7 = .456 .456 --;- .550 = .829, the TON of mix on dry basis . The weighted average of other nutrients can be calculated in a I ike manner. Completing Table 3 will help you determine the correct level of each feed to provide the necessary dry matter and TON for an animal. Begin by filling in animal requirements . Use values 6 7 8 9 Totals provided Animal Feed by Requirement Difference four feeds (lbs) (Col 7-8) xxxx XXX XXX XXX XXX xxxx XXX XXX xxxx XXX XXX xxxx XXX XXX xxxx XXX XXX xxxx XXX XXX xxxx XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX from Table 1, or if you have more than two major ingredients, the calculated values for each kind of feed. Here's a way to make the table easier to use: You can quickly check two feeds to see if they have the mathematical potential to balance a ration. Find the percent TON the animal requires from Table 1. This must be between th~ two TON values of the feeds considered . For example, a particular animal requires 60% TON . A feed that is 80% TON and one that is 50% will "balance ," but two feeds that have values of 80% and 65% TON will not. After completing Table 3, you will have calculated the amount I Table 5. Choosing supplement levels. Choosing Supplements: Nutrient that' s deficient Supplement to be used Amount of nutrient needed (Col. 9, only if negative) a. Percent of the nutrients provided by supplement b. Amount of supplement needed (a/b) C. Percent dry matter of supplement d . Amount supplement as fed (c/d) e. of feed needed (lb/day, dry matter basis). The· ration is now balanced for TON, but needs to be checked for crude protein, calcium, and phosphorus. Ration Check. Use Table 4 to check the ration you are now using or to finish work you started in Table 3. For either purpose, the table works the same except at the start. If you are checking an existing ration, the quantity of each feed will be on an "as fed" basis. Enter pounds of feed, as fed, in row B. If you are working from Table 3, the feeds are already on a dry basis; begin by entering these amounts in row D . Example Protein 44% SBM 1 lb .499 2.00 lb .89 2.25 Fill in rows C, E, G, I, and K for each feed. Refer to Table 1 or analysis results for nutrient values . Row M can be cal cu lated by dividing the cost per unit by the pound per unit (example: hay at $55/ton = $55/2000 = $.0275/lb as fed basis). Row T calcu I ates the "as fed " value of your feed if you are formulating a ration. You should now calculate values called for in other rows. The table is completed by adding the values for each feed and placing the total in column 7. From values given in Table 1, fill in column 8. Subtract column 8 from column 7 and place that value in column 9. Negative values in column 9 indicate the amount of that nutrient needed to balance the ration . Positive values in column 9 indicate excesses . To correct deficiencies, proceed to Table 5 and choose supplements . You have now formulated a ration (( that is nutritionally complete . Common Sense There are many "mathematical" combinations of feedstuffs that are nutritionally complete, but you wouldn't use them in practical situations. For example, finishing rations should be at least 10% roughage. Other pitfalls to watch for include creating a ration with more phosphorus than calcium . Urea should not be more than 1 % of the ration (on a dry basis). You may want to use implants and a feed additive such as lasalocid or monensin for some cattle groups. These are proven products and can add to your profit. Whichever feed combination you put together, look it over first, using your own good judgment to avoid any mathematical traps that might have shown up in the calculating. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914. in cooperation with the USDA, Delwyn Dearborn , Acting Director of CES, SDSU. Brookings. Educational programs and materials offered without regard to age, race, color, religion , sex. handicap or national origin . An Equal Op-portunity Employer. Fi le : 4 .1-2- 4M - 8-84m b- ES 228-84-2 . .,, ti'> '-I 00 

Calculating Beef Cattle Rations

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Calculating Beef Cattle Rations

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