ALL SMILES
a fat score of 2+, they can also get on the QPS Grid for bonus payments.
I have long advocated the intensive feeding of bulls for this market.
I am aware of a reluctance amongst some farmers to pursue this production system which is stemming from the perception of higher input costs when compared to finishing steers at grass or using a high forage finishing system, for example.
However, the superior feed efficiency (ie kilogramme of feed dry matter necessary to achieve 1kg live weight gain) of these bulls can go a long way to offset the alternative systems.
Management and the choice of feeds in the remaining 120 days has a huge effect on performance, feed efficiency and carcass fat score.
Efficiency
For optimum feed efficiency of any animal, it goes without saying that the rumen has to be functioning correctly. With young bulls which are fed high levels of concentrate, the challenge is to avoid rumen acidosis.
While feeding a suitable concentrate ad lib and at the same time leaving straw available for the animals may be convenient from the farmer’s perspective, it does increase the risk of acidosis as there is no control in the concentrate intake by the animals.
Straw is arguably the best effective fibre, however as we are all well aware, it is very scarce on a lot of farms this year.
If straw scarcity is a reality, I would recommend as next best alternative the option of some grass silage or maize silage to be retained in the finisher ration. The use of a good quality yeast and a suitable buffer will also offset the risk of acidosis.