Cattle are the ultimate recyclers!
Examples of by-products that are used in cattle rations include
- corn gluten feed
- distiller’s grains
- soybean hulls
- fruit and vegetable waste
- bakery waste
- cottonseed hulls
- beet pulp
Incorporating these alternative feedstuffs into a balanced ration can lead to proper animal health and performance while upcycling these by-products. Without animal consumption they would generally be landfilled or composted.
Key to profitability
Providing a balanced, least-cost ration to cattle is ultimately the best management strategy and a key to profitability. A balanced, least-cost ration can be formulated from a number of different feedstuffs. Product availability and transportation costs can result in numerous different least-cost rations within a region. Not all feedstuffs are ideal; balancing the pros and cons of feedstuffs is dependent on individual operations. An improved feeding strategy can result in numerous different systems, but at the end of the day an improved feeding system should result in lowering feed costs and an increase in opportunity for profits.
Investigating alternative feeds and improved feeding strategies can lead to lower feed costs and more profit opportunity. Ultimately, proper animal nutrition will lead to healthy animals, more profit potential, and a wholesome, nutritious beef product.