The breed of the animal, environmental conditions, feeding program and methods are the factors determining success in feedlots. Correct growing conditions and a well-balanced ration must be provided to the animals to ensure good results in fattening. Rations must be formulated on the basis of the current live weight of the animal and the target body weight for the end of the fattening period, considering your available concentrates, feed ingredients and forages. In farms where the ration is not offered as a total mix, the animals must have constant access to concentrates and forages in separate feed bunks. We offer various compound fattening feeds covering a range of nutrient concentrations so that you can formulate the ideal total ration for your needs. Cattle fattening should start with an adaptation period followed by fattening and finishing periods.
SELECTION OF THE ANIMALS TO BE FATTENED
The following points must be considered in the selection of the animals for fattening:
Breed, age, sex, body condition and conformation, health status and origin are important
In the conformation;
- a smallish head,
- broad chest
- short and widely spaced legs with a firm standing
- long ribs aligned perpendicular to the body, and
- a deep and wide rump are desirable features.
Animals herded for fattening are first tagged, branded, vaccinated and treated for parasites.
ADAPTATION PERIOD
The most important purpose of this period is to train the fattening calves having different feeding habits, to a common feeding pattern and to prepare the rumen to a highly concentrated fattening diet with as little stress as possible. This is done using high-quality dry forages. Animals must be fed on high-quality dry forages for the first few days and then fattening feed must be introduced gradually.
