Weanling rations - % protein

RobinBanks

Hello All,

There are several threads already started on this topic but I was looking for more information. Its regarding the level of protein in weanling rations. Last year I was feeding NCF weanling crunch early in the year but for the last month or so they were getting Stewarts Super beef + maize mixed with barley. I wouldn’t have a clue what the % protein would be in this mix but would be interested to know. Anyway my A.I man was asking me what level of protein they were getting. I told him that I was giving them the NCF mix (16%). He said they should be getting a mix with ~20% protein. Now I looked on the net and every company seems to be around the same 16-18% so don’t know where he gets his, it may be a home brew to get it up to 20%.

So my questions are:

1. What % protein would be considered best for weanlings from 6-8 months old
2. What suppliers tend to produce the best rations for weanlings and
3. If I bought straights and mixed at home to get 20% protein what cereals / products would I include e.g. Bull nut, Barley , Maize meal, Soya bean meal, etc

Thanks in advance for any replies.

jeff greene

This is a useful tool for home mixing.
http://www.gpfeeds.co.uk/ration.htm

Generally weanlings need higher protein rations but it depends on the rest of they're diet.

rancher

RobinBanks wrote: »

Hello All,

There are several threads already started on this topic but I was looking for more information. Its regarding the level of protein in weanling rations. Last year I was feeding NCF weanling crunch early in the year but for the last month or so they were getting Stewarts Super beef + maize mixed with barley. I wouldn’t have a clue what the % protein would be in this mix but would be interested to know. Anyway my A.I man was asking me what level of protein they were getting. I told him that I was giving them the NCF mix (16%). He said they should be getting a mix with ~20% protein. Now I looked on the net and every company seems to be around the same 16-18% so don’t know where he gets his, it may be a home brew to get it up to 20%.

So my questions are:

1. What % protein would be considered best for weanlings from 6-8 months old
2. What suppliers tend to produce the best rations for weanlings and
3. If I bought straights and mixed at home to get 20% protein what cereals / products would I include e.g. Bull nut, Barley , Maize meal, Soya bean meal, etc

Thanks in advance for any replies.

900 kgs of your16% ration plus 100 kgs of 46% P soya would give you a tonne of 19% P ration, at least thats the way I increase my ewe ration near lambing!!!!

49801

20% sounds more like a ration for dairy cows like dairygolds dairypride.

are they at grass? if they are why feed?
whats your intended market?

RobinBanks

rancher wrote: »

900 kgs of your16% ration plus 100 kgs of 46% P soya would give you a tonne of 19% P ration, at least thats the way I increase my ewe ration near lambing!!!!

Sounds like a plan! Is soya meal severe on the calves stomach though?

snowman707

RobinBanks wrote: »

Sounds like a plan! Is soya meal severe on the calves stomach though?

soya is severe on the cheque book

waste of time feeding high protein mixes if cattle haven't access to roughage
feeding over 17% on grass is a waste of time (and money) unless you include a high fibre content


. "If I bought straights and mixed at home to get 20% protein what cereals / products would I include e.g. Bull nut, Barley , Maize meal, Soya bean meal, etc"

not mention of fibre here

RobinBanks

snowman707 wrote: »

soya is severe on the cheque book

waste of time feeding high protein mixes if cattle haven't access to roughage
feeding over 17% on grass is a waste of time (and money) unless you include a high fibre content


. "If I bought straights and mixed at home to get 20% protein what cereals / products would I include e.g. Bull nut, Barley , Maize meal, Soya bean meal, etc"

not mention of fibre here

Thanks for the feedback. So now that we have determined i know very little on the subject would it be ok to ask what are recommended sources of fibre for weanlings at grass. Pardon my ignorance, I must have been out sick when the teachers covered this subject in school.

rancher

RobinBanks wrote: »

Sounds like a plan! Is soya meal severe on the calves stomach though?

I find soya a great source of protein, very palatable and easily digestible, I don't know a lot about formulating rations so I just up the protein in someone elses ration.
Surely there's lots of fibre in grass!!!!

pakalasa

Most weanling rations are about the 16% mark. While protein is vital for growing animals, it is expensive so going over the 16% will not be cost effective, unless maybe for show animals etc. That's always been my understaning anyway.

Some good info here also -
"For weanlings, there is no need to go above 14%"
This from;
http://www.farmersjournal.ie/2008/0927/farmmanagement/beef/feature.shtml


Also some info here on different rations for different applications, cows, finishing, weanlings etc.
http://www.quinns.ie/animal-feed-agriculture.htm

RobinBanks

pakalasa wrote: »

Most weanling rations are about the 16% mark. While protein is vital for growing animals, it is expensive so going over the 16% will not be cost effective, unless maybe for show animals etc. That's always been my understaning anyway.

Some good info here also -
"For weanlings, there is no need to go above 14%"
This from;
http://www.farmersjournal.ie/2008/0927/farmmanagement/beef/feature.shtml


Also some info here on different rations for different applications, cows, finishing, weanlings etc.
http://www.quinns.ie/animal-feed-agriculture.htm

Thanks Pak, Very helpful response