Question: We have a simm x angus heifer that we are feeding to show. She has alot of belly to her which makes her look really deep but yet she does not look full. She looks like she needs more water to be filled out, we have taken the beet pulp out of her diet and most of her grass hay. We use grand fortifier because we hand mix our feed for individual calves. What ration would you recommend we use to keep her full for shows yet keep her building frame and growing?

Answer: Neal,

Thank you for contacting the Honor Show Chow Website!

What is the birth date of your heifer?
How are you mixing (% of each ingredient) your current HSC Grand 4-T-Fyer ration?
Why did you remove the beet pulp?
Why are you restricting the amount of grass hay fed?

I would stay with the HSC Grand 4-T-Fyer if that is convenient for you. Regarding the ration…

32.5-37.5% Corn
30-35% Oats
2.5-5.0% Beet pulp
7.5-10% Cottonseed hulls
~ 5% Molasses (adjust this based on the amount of fine material from your grain processing and personal preference)
20% HSC Grand 4-T-Fyer

I would feed 15 to 20 lb/hd/d depending on the age and weight of the heifer plus FREE CHOICE grass hay.

If this does not work to your liking, offer 2/3 of the grain mix and 1/3 of our Preconditioning/Receiving Chow (non-medicated; tag is attached).

Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

Thank you!

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