Low-cost grain turns into profit

摘要

Many livestock producers feed grain as a convenient high-energy feed source — whether it is during drought, part of a routine supplementary feeding programme or when opportunity lotfeeding. This article looks at which grains are most suitable, rationmixes and other additives needed when feeding cattle. Grain can be cheap, easy to store and a profitable way to increase carcass weight, improve animal finish and lift the price per kilogram of cattle. The higher the percentage of grain in the ration, the higher the weight gain potential. But producers need to introduce grain to the diet slowly to avoid digestive problems in cattle and reduce the risk of acidosis. A chosen feed ration will depend on whether livestock are being fed for survival during drought or for performance and weight gain in opportunity lotfeeding.