Tips for finishing forward cattle at grass

It is important to select animals that have good condition and can be finished within 60 days. Separating out heavier, more forward cattle to finish off grass will help to lighten the load for the housing period.

Cattle should be as close to 500kg before you consider trying to get them finished off grass. As a rule of thumb, where grass is good quality and plentiful, finishing cattle will require 0.5kg of concentrate per 100kgs live weight. If grass is poorer quality and scarcer, increase feed to 1kg of concentrate per 100kgs live weight.

Feeding concentrates at grass

Start feeding cattle on 1-2kg of a low protein ration or nut such as the 14% GAIN Beef Grass Finisher nut or 13% GAIN Intensive Finisher blend and increase accordingly to match grass quality. Both feeds are ideal for feeding at grass and balance highly digestible and fermentable grass. Concentrates help to boost carcass gain, kill out percentage and confirmation scores. Both feeds include a high level of digestible fibre to aid rumen fermentation. The energy type is derived from digestible fibre and a balanced level of starch. The starch level is derived from barley and maize.

Financial benefits

Research has shown that feeding 2.5kg of concentrate at grass will increase carcass gain by 0.30kg per animal per day. At €5.00 per kg, this is worth €1.50 of carcass. The return on investment is significant with a margin of 62.5 cent per animal per day created, after concentrate costs.

Over a 60 day finishing period, this generates an additional margin of €37.5 per animal, after concentrate costs. The additional margin created on 50 cattle after a 60 day feeding period is €1875.

If you wish to have your silage analysed and a diet formulated for the coming winter please contact one of the Tirlán Twenty20 team.

If you have any animals in for feeding please contact one of the Kepak procurement team to ensure animals meet the required specifications.

First Published 4 September 2024