Question: My daughter has a Shorthorn/Semital cross show steer that weighs 935 pounds. We are feeding Fitters Edge at a rate of 1 1/2% of his body weight along with about 3 pounds of grass hay. We have been feeding this ration for about 3 weeks with no trouble and now all of the sudden he started bloating on this. What can we do?

Answer: Gary,

Thank you for contacting the Honor Show Chow Website!

935 lb * 0.015 = 14 lb of grain * 0.90 = 12.6 lb on a dry matter basis

3 lb of hay * 0.90 = 2.7 lb on a dry matter basis

TOTAL - 15.3

If your steer was gaining ~ 3.0 lb/hd/d, his nutrient requirement is over 20 lb of dry matter. My point, you are not over feeding him.

It should take him 10-15 minutes to consume his grain. How long is it taking?
Is he aggressive when eating?
Does he act hungry at feeding time?
I would offer free choice medium quality grass hay. AVOID any legumes.

Any loose stools?
Is he for sure bloated or just “full?”
Is this steer in a drylot or a grass trap?
How many times per day are you feeding? I would recommend at least 2.
Have you increased the feeding rate recently?
Are you adding anything else to his feed - supplements, beet pulp, etc.?
Are you feeding at the same times of the day?
Are you weighing the feed each time you feed?
What was the steer eating before the use of our HSC Fitters Edge 3 weeks ago?
Any problems with digestive disturbances with this steer in the past?
Are you feeding from a feed pan on the ground or an elevated feed bunk?
Has the feed been consistent?

I apologize for all of the questions. I will respond back to you once you get back to me. I hope the free choice grass hay will take care of this issue.

Thank you,

Steven E. Myers, Ph.D.
Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC
Consulting Beef Nutritionist