Food for Thought

Just as in humans, nutrition is an on going scientific exploration in cattle. People continue to modify and fine tune their feeding programs to achieve a program that works for the cattle and the breeder. The search for the right feed has been going on for years and years. Here is a little history on the topic...

Back in the day, the countless feed supplements we have available to us were not convenient. Stockmen, were often searching for feed and supplements that would provide better results. As I mentioned in an earlier post, my great-grandpa fed turnips and sugar beets to give nutrients to his cattle. At one point in time most cattlemen fed their animals bone meal, as it was a source of phosphorus.

Not only did the cattleman create the feeding program, but he mixed the feed himself as well. The feed mill  now does the blending, but years ago it was done by hand. People would cook and mix all of their feed at home. My grandma recalls bringing a mixing box to every cattle show as cattlemen would not have feed pre-prepared. Boile barley was popular for feeding show cattle. As the years went by, rolled grain became preferred over grinding (chop). The texture was better and nutrition wasn't lost. Liquid molasesses was fed to improve feeding, but could only be used in moderate weather. It became easier to use when it became available in a dry form. My grandpa found that feeding a mix of rolled oats, bran, along with mineral, slat, beet pulp and econolass was a good ration. Corn and barley were added at the appropriate time depending on the animal and it's use. While the feed has always been changing, providing cattle with salt and mineral has been imperative, as it is an important part of their nutrition and fertility needs. Cattlemen understood what was necessary as far as nutrition and then would fine tune their feeding program with added supplements and nutrients.

Currently, the involvement of the breeder has changed, as feed mills, such as Master Feeds, UFA and Feed Rite, do the mixing. Since we no longer mix the rations ourselves, we need to put our trust in the feed company and their advisors. There are numerous supplements on the market for every species. Their are specific feeds for putting on fat cover on market animals, adding muscle, soundness, improving joint health, fertility and probiotics  for better feed efficiency. Not only that, but now feed supplements can even grow hair on animals! Yes, American cattleman Kirk Stierwalt invented Shag, the amazing feed supplement that has proven to grow hair on your cattle. Pretty neat!



Shag, the new feed supplement that is taking the
show cattle world by storm

 Having a good feed program is an important part of the herd health program that you implement. Not only is it important when feeding a show animal to achieve its optimal potential, but also to the entire herd to maintain health and nutrition. A ration that you feed to a fat animal (market) will differ from one you will give to a breeding female or to a herd bull.

There was alot of experimenting in the earlier years, but cattlemen now turn to nutrition specialists. With this evolving information, we now have more knowledge about feed and nutrients to maintain herd health.