How much grain should I be feeding growing cattle?

[Stubbornhillfarm]

3 steer and 1 heifer to be exact. One steer to possibly go to the freezer in Feb. We have no grazing worth a hill of beans, so their main food is hay and grain. They also have access to mineral and salt. What amount of grain is recommended? Just want to make sure that we are giving them the best we can offer.

Thanks!

 

[WildRoseBeef]

If they're new to the grain thing, start by feeding them only a pound or two a day. Then progressively increase those amounts until you're feeding around 10 lbs per head per day. Or, you would be feeding them one full five-gallon pail per day, especially during winter time when their energy needs are greater.

 

[Stubbornhillfarm]

Yikes! The poor things. They have only been getting about 2 pounds a day. Guess I better get with the program! Thanks.

 

[WildRoseBeef]

When we were feeding up a steer for our freezer we would be giving him a half to two-thirds of a 5-gallon pail a day, plus free-choice hay and grass wherever he could graze, all two to three weeks before we shipped him to the local slaughter house. Sure was good eating!

So one five-gallon pail is probably enough for your heifers, but you may want to somehow get your steer to eat a little more grain two to three weeks before slaughter.