finishing steers?

strawberriesclint · Post by **strawberriesclint** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:26 pm

Hello all

Just a quick question, any ideas what else apart from cake etc..i could feed the steers to try and boost their weight.

Cyndy

AlisonKirk · Post by **AlisonKirk** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:24 pm

Hi Cyndy

We slaughter 3/4 animals per month, do not feed concentrates and finish off grass during the summer and big bale red clover / ryegrass silage during the winter, when cattle are houesd. Weights have been increased by 8%-10%.

Slaughter age ranges from 22 months up to 28 months.

Our Dexters are not huge and all fall within the breed standard (both short and non-short).

Regards

Robert & Alison Kirk
Boram Dexters

Post by **Mark Bowles** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:34 pm

Cyndy, by feeding anything but grass or winter feed of haylage or hay you will be detracting from the premium product. Just make sure you have plenty of either in front of them, don't overstock. Take them to the full 30 months if you have to.

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 10:16 am

Hi Cyndy - Yes, you should be able to finish off grass alone but at this time of year unless you have high sugar grasses and/or clover, then that can be difficult and if he's the occasionally lank lad that crops up, then it can be nigh on impossible. Or if you are high up that's difficult. If it's a shortie or a chunky non-short, then they shouldn't need any feeding, as Mark says just leave them longer, but failing this you may need to give him something. There are natural blends available. Gardeners around by us do it. Better than cake, you know what's in it!

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 7:22 pm

PS. Gardeners are a supplier of natural feeds in Cleobury Mortimer. Also, if you push him too hard you may just put on a load of fat.

Edited By Broomcroft on 1252088575