Cattle | Feed Management

Good bunk or self-feeder management means providing cattle with fresh, nutritionally balanced, palatable feed and keeping it available to them at all times. Cattle establish consumption patterns early in the feeding pens — usually within the first two weeks. The dry matter intake of feedlot cattle can be a key to animal performance and profitability. Each pound of ration you add, over and above that needed for maintenance, increases gain by approximately .25 pounds/head/day

1. Keep fresh feed constantly available to cattle.
2. Feed cattle two to three times a day.
3. Don’t let cattle stand without feed longer than 30 minutes to an hour. They will charge the bunk, loading up on the ration to the extent that acidosis and bloat can become a serious problem.
4. It’s ok to let cattle clean up bunks at least once a day — but make sure they are not out of feed to the extent that they turn restless or engorge at the next feeding.
5. Clean bunks at least once a week to remove old, stale feed. It’s preferable to clean them three or four times a week.
6. Mix rations properly because improper mixing can mean:
   • A protein content that varies from 2-3%
   • Poor delivery of feed additives
     
7. Remember the mixing order:
   For finishing rations: Grain ® Supplement ® Roughage
   For growing rations: Roughage ® Grain ® Supplement
   
   

Principles of Self-Feeder Management

1. Mix rations properly.
2. Adjust gates to maintain a two-finger width.
3. Use pellet concentrates with corn.
4. Inspect the feeder every day for:
   • proper feeding of ration through the gate
   • signs of stale feed
   • physical separation of ration mix
     
5. Clean feeders regularly to avoid a build-up of fines in the bottom of the self-feeder which cattle usually reject until they become quite hungry. If forced to consume these fines, bloat and acidosis will occur. Remember this rule of thumb: A 5% reduction in feed intake reduces gains by 10%

Ingram Feed & Seed has joined with doctors Jeremy and Erin VanBoening to bring our producers animal nutrition answers and veterinary services all in one location. The small animal clinic for the Franklin Animal Center is located inside our showroom at Ingram Feed & Seed. There is also a new large animal facility located just north of our store with easy access from Hwy. 10. The Franklin Animal Center can be contacted by phone at 308-425-3703. They carry a complete line of animal health products and have the expertise to get you what you need.

We carry a complete line of pet foods from PMI.  No matter if your pet is a wild barn cat, a junkyard dog, or a very pampered part of your close family, we have a pet food to fit the need.  The Exclusive line of pet foods from PMI uses the finest ingredients available, including fresh chicken as the #1 ingredient in our chicken/rice formula.  Exclusive pet foods have no soy or wheat.  All adult formulas have glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate right in the formula for healthy joints.  We firmly believe you can not buy a better pet food than Exclusive at any price!  We have a buy six get one free program on Exclusive pet foods!

NEW! Exclusive Chicken & Rice Performance Formula

Exclusive Chicken & Rice Performance Formula is specially formulated for hardworking dogs that are being used actively. The Energy On Command system allows for rapid energy release, sustained endurance, and rapid recovery. If you have a hunting dog this is the food you have been looking for. the food has 30% protein and 20% fat with both glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate built in! This diet will keep active dogs going on those long hunting days. This formula contains no corn, sorghum, or wheat..none of our Exclusive pet foods do. Available in 35# bags for an introductory price of $29.00 plus tax.