One of the most important aspects of developing a bull for breeding is proper nutrition. On a bull test it is extremely important to have a balanced ration set for target gains. To develop this ration we first selected the available ingredients and had them analyzed. Once we had the results from the corn silage and the hay, then a grain mixture was developed to balance the ration. The grain consists of corn, brewers grain, soybean, molasses, and a vitamin and mineral mix. On an as fed basis the ration was – 20 lbs. corn silage, 3.5 lbs. hay and 7 lbs. grain.
Ration for MAHA/NEHCA Bull Test 2000-2001
January ration balanced for 600 lbs. body weight and 2.5 lbs gain/day.
Feeds Cr Prot. NEm NEg Ca P DM
DM basis % MCAL/lb MCAL/lb g/lb g/lb %
Grass Hay 11.0 .50 2.7 1.1 92.2
Corn Silage 10.4 .61 1.7 1.2 25.8
Grain Mix 21.0 .95 .67 3.1 2.2 89.7
Total Required
Ration: (DM) 3.2lb Hay 5.2lb Silage 6.1lb grain supplied
Cr. Prot. .35 lb .54 lb 1.28 lb 2.17 lb 2.1 lb
1.02 lb grain
NEm 1.6MCAL 3.2MCAL .97MCAL 5.77MCAL 5.77MCAL
5.08lb grain
NEg 3.4MCAL 3.4MCAL 3.4 MCAL
Ca 8.6 g 8.8 g 18.9 g 36.3 g 36 g
P 3.5 g 6.2 g 13.4 g 23.1 g 23 g
Ration 3 for MAHA-NEHCA Bull test, March, 2001
Balanced for 715 lbs body weight and 2.5 lb/day ADG
DM intake allowance 19.1 lb.
Ration:(DM) 2 lbHay 6 lb silage 9.9 lb grain Supplied Required
Cr. Prot. .22 lb .62 lb 1.68 lb 2.52 lb 2.30 lb
1.3 lb grain
NEm 1.00 MCAL 3.66 MCAL 1.24 MCAL 5.90 MCAL 5.90 MCAL
7.6 lbs grain
NEg 5.01 MCAL 5.01 MCAL 5.0 MCAL
Ca 5.4 g 10.2 g 30.7 g 46.3 g 41 g
P 2.2 g 7.2 g 21.8 g 31.2 g 24 g
Ration:
(as fed) 2.2 lb 24 lb 11 lb
Grain mix contains a vitamin and mineral package to meet requirements for remaining nutrients.
There is sufficient space in the DM allowance for more corn silage consumption by the faster gaining bulls. There is also a little extra protein to match the extra corn silage consumption, should it occurr.