|
Post by Glenn on Dec 20, 2014 12:31:17 GMT -6
I have always just "winged" it on feeding bulls from weaning to yearling. I decided to seek outside help this time. The feedmill has specialist (glorified salesman) and I talked with him in the fall and got his ideas on a few products and what a few other guys were feeding (Limo and Angus guys). He said they all had good luck with Accuration. I have started feeding it (the least concentrated form Accuration 20) and he was right it really does limit the intake. I have fed two 4 ton loads and am surprised they are only eating about 9# per head per day. I was leery of putting out a self feeder as I have never done that, I have always hand fed. They have access to free choice wheat hay as well (medium minus quality) and am surprised how long it lasts as well.
I was scared they would overeat but it seems to work. And I can sort of see why as the stuff stinks to high heaven. The fish meal has about as fishy a smell as you can imagine.
I can tell the bulls are growing but aren't getting "fleshy". I need to weigh to see what they are gaining.
Just wondering if you guys had tried it and knew of any pros or cons.
The feed guy says when I feel like it we can up the concentrate and feed an Accuration30 or even Accuration40.
|
|
|
Post by whiteface on Dec 20, 2014 13:31:27 GMT -6
Glenn, I've been feeding Purina Accuration Complete for 2 years now. Very expensive stuff - like $400-500/ton I think. I usually buy an entire semi load to get it cheaper. Cost is the con. The pros of the Complete is the handiness of it. I have a full time job owning an ag business so I decided that I'd try the self feeder to cut down on the work morning and night. I was told to put hay out for 1 week and then pull it, leaving them only the Accuration Complete. You can adjust the corn content in it if you do small loads.
I am very satisfied with it. I have only fed my replacement heifers with it. Usually 50. I've never fed out bulls with it. I send the bulls to a local feedlot that feeds seedstock for other breeders as well and who know more than I do about feeding.
I will say my heifers do get a tad fleshy but nothing too bad. I've handfed my heifers before and it might just be my eyes but I think they developed better on the Accuration. No bloating, sickness or problems. Its very safe. I'm probably going to continue writing that check to Purina every year.
|
|
|
Post by Glenn on Dec 20, 2014 15:21:26 GMT -6
Thanks for the feedback. This ration has to be fed with hay or pasture he said. I think the higher you go in concentrate the less hay/forage they will eat. I will probably have to step it up a notch on the next batch. I paid $293 a ton for this stuff. He said the higher concentrate would be more money.
|
|
|
Post by strojanherefords on Dec 20, 2014 19:01:48 GMT -6
I have not fed any Accuration but I have had problems with calves not eating enough wheat hay meet their intake requirements. I have done better feeding finer stemmed, less expensive pasture hay than feeding the coarse stuff. Could you post a feed tag and Ingredients list for the Accuration mixes you are feeding?
Our pasture hay is composed of headed out ryegrass, fescue, etc.
|
|
|
Post by Glenn on Dec 20, 2014 19:50:24 GMT -6
It's a custom mix bulk delivered by the mill. I'm sure I could get a list if need be. I have had much better luck through the years feeding wheat hay in comparison to Bermuda grass hay.
|
|
talin
Yearling
Posts: 201
|
Post by talin on Dec 22, 2014 18:13:18 GMT -6
Glenn
Here is an accounting ?. I use the solar feeders pay about a 30% premium but then can use byproduct feed saving about 50% over cubes.
I went this route basically so I can feed at an exact time and program the cattle to be at a certain place at a certain time for penning etc.
I don't know I spent probably 5K more on 3 feeders they have held up the past 3 years and hope to get another 5-10 years out of them
? If this is better or self regulating feed is better
|
|
|
Post by herefordjock on Dec 22, 2014 20:18:42 GMT -6
I feed ration manager its the more course not so many fines version of accuration. I start all my weanlings on 60/40 and keep my heifers on that till breeding. The steers and feeder hfrs are on 75/25 now and will go up the step ladder to 95/5 until they reach the kill floor. The higher the mixture the cheaper it should get
|
|