Commercial Agriculture Program
Fall 2009
Receiving cattle: management and nutrition
By Michelle Proctor, Senior Info. Specialist
"When cattle arrive at a new facility such as a feedlot, backgrounding lot, or stocker operation, the first month after weaning is considered the receiving period," says Dr. Justin Sexten, University of Missouri Commercial Agriculture Program, beef nutritionist.
The first 28 days following cattle arrival or weaning represent the greatest feeding period management challenge due to performance, illness, and death loss uncertainties.
Because of weaning or shipping stress, the receiving program goal is to get the calf to consume two percent of its body weight as soon as possible.
Before developing a nutrition program for receiving cattle, producers should develop a location suited to encourage feed and water intake. "When calves arrive or are moved to a new location, they begin by walking the fence line," warns Sexten.
"Placing water sources and feed bunks along the perimeter of the pen will aid calves in discovering feed and water. Freshly weaned calves may have never eaten from a bunk or drank from a water tank, so they will not seek out these structures. Placing feed and water along the fence line not only aids in discovery but will minimize constant walking around the perimeter."
Provide adequate space in bunk feeding systems to ensure that all calves have access to feed. Sexten recommends 18 to 22 inches of linear bunk space per head if calves are fed once a day. Calves fed twice daily require 9 to 11 inches of bunk space per head. Adequate bunk space during receiving prevents dominant calves from over-eating and allows timid cattle to start on feed.
To help familiarize calves to bunk feeding when starting cattle on feed, offer hay in the feed bunk rather than a separate hay feeder. Feed receiving diets on top of the hay during the first week to encourage feed intake. Also, consider feeding two or three times each day at regular hours to encourage intake and observe cattle frequently.
"Remember, the goal is for the calf to consume two percent of body weight. Dry matter intake during the first seven days will range from 0.5 % to 1.5% of body weight. During the second seven days, use 1.5% to 2.5% of body weight as your goal," advises Sexten. "By the 15th to 28th day, calves should consume 2.5% to 3.5% of their body weight."
Calves prefer whole grain to cracked or ground feed. Develop the diet to minimize dust and use palatable feed ingredients. Receiving diets should contain 15%-17% protein. Protein level can be reduced as cattle increase feed intake. "Ideally, 50% to 60% of protein should be bypass protein. Distillers grains and Brewers grains are two common feed ingredients with greater than 50% bypass protein," says Sexten.
Mineral requirements increase during receiving due to stress. Once cattle consume 2% of body weight, mineral and vitamin requirements decrease to normal levels.
"Receiving management represents the most important period in the life of a weaned calf. Getting it off to a good start can prevent health problems later in the feeding period," says Sexten.
For more information on management and nutrition of receiving cattle, contact Dr. Justin Sexten at 573 882-8154 or sextenj@missouri.edu.