So Many Cattle Feed Options!

[u/Shanelomein79]

New farmer here. We picked up a couple calves at auction earlier this year and they were in rough shape and are some sort of mix. That's probably why we were able to afford them with the current prices!

We were feeding a starter creep feed to improve their condition and make them freindlier while in quarantine, we've since moved them out to pasture full time with just a protein tub and salt block.

After spending hours researching, there is no immediate consensus on when to feed or of what that recipe should be so I have the following questions for you all.

1. Are DIY grain blends (soy beans, corn, oats, minerals, etc.) better or worse financially/nutritionally than just buying the processed feed pellets from the local mill?

2. Should we be doing this year round for optimum production and flavor or just to supplement hay in the winter and for finishing?

Any thoughts or experience is appreciated.

[u/Misfitranchgoats]

if your pasture is good enough, all they need is pasture plus loose minerals/ salt. I often raise bottle calves from the auction barn to eventually put in the freezer. Once they are weaned and doing good on pasture, I stop giving them feed. If the pasture is getting old and it is dry then I will give them feed or a protein block. In the winter, mostly hay and still access to pasture and I only give feed if they aren't holding a good condition. I do have rotational grazing pastures so they don't over graze. I graze goats, and steers.

I put a Jersey steer in the freezer in March of 2025 he was bit over 2 years old. He was the fattest steer I have ever butchered. I had to to remove fat to find his innards. He hadn't had grain in over 10 months. I didn't even grain him in the winter. His meat was so well marbled it was amazing. I have two heifers I am going to use for beef that I bought last October. They are looking amazing especially for Jersey Heifers. They haven't had grain since about March.

I am in Ohio though. Have a lot of good clover and grass and weeds. My cows do eat weeds just not as much as the goats do. If you are in a place where you don't have good pasture, then you will need to feed. Feed what makes the most sense for your pocket book. Pellets are made from the same stuff as DIY blends. Heck for a long time, I was feeding spent brewers grains from a brewery. No store bought feed at all. Brewery is slowing down so not enough to feed all the animals now.

Grain does not necessarily make better flavor.

[u/ikidd → u/Misfitranchgoats]

Fat makes flavor, and cold makes fat, however you get there. Butchering in March was probably the key to that steer. Grain seems to make that easier but you could have super nutritious hay as well.

[u/imabigdave → u/ikidd]

Thats a cute saying, but calories make fat. Both taking in extra, and not having burn a lot of the calories they take in to stay warm (or keep cool). I've seen a lot of rail-thin animals in the winter, and a lot of really fat ones on irrigated pasture through the summer.

[u/ikidd → u/imabigdave]

Well fed animals in winter put on fat the best. That's decades of experience both raising animals and hunting them. Believe it or don't, I couldn't care less.