Compensatory growth in Weanlings

Tomjim

I have weanlings circ 270 to 330 kgs, some are bucket reared and the remainder are from sucklers.

They are on silage and meal (about 1kg to 1.5kg of meal). Question is if I cut out the meal will I get compensatory growth?

delaval

Is there any way you could get them out? Nothing gets them going like the outdoors and continue with 1kg

Tomjim

Naw no grass

Farmer Pudsey

If you intend holding them after you get them out. I for one would cut out the ration. Feed some minerals on top of the silage. You can do this 6-8 weeks pre turnout. If they are average 300kg bucket feds they are fairly good weanlings. Also for the last week preturn out I cut back the silage so they will put the noses down when they go out. However if you limit there feeding they all need to be able to access it at the same time to feed

bob charles

In a normal year yes, but this year maybe not, all would depend on your silage quality. What sort of a system are they going for, heifers, bullocks, 16 month bull beef etc, what are your plans

signinlate

I would take them off the meal. They will go back a bit but a few weeks after getting out they will more than have it made up again. I never found it a good thing to have cattle on a high plane of diet before turning them out.

Farmer Pudsey

More than likly you are within 2-3 weeks of turnout I take them off as well. Nothing worse than cattle going to grass hot and taking off all over the place.

If your weanlings are that weight more than likly your silage is fairly good. Mind you neither are they super heavy.

49801

as said it depends on the silage quality but in a normal year i'd cut out the meal 4-6wks prior to turn out.

Bulls weanling I would not cut though. it keeps them happier and they perform to it well.

blue5000

OP are they bulls or heifers and when are they going to grass?

If they were mine I'd divide the lighter ones, and give them 3-400 grams of soya bean meal and mins until they go out. But if it is good quality silage just give them silage and mins. Soya is about 14-15e a 25kg bag.