Many
things have changed since Tend-R-Leen was
introduced in 1963 as the first
no-roughage feeding program for
Holstein
steers.
Some things, however, have remained
the same – such as Tend-R-Leen’s
commitment to providing a high quality,
consistent product that offers producers
the lowest cost per pound of gain, and a
significant return on their investment.
Here is a brief look at the past 45
years in Tend-R-Leen’s history:
Late
1950’s
Research begins on a program to produce
beef at the lowest possible cost.
1959
The
first steers are fed a no-roughage ration.
1960-1963
Numerous
trials were conducted as the program was
tested and perfected.
1963
The
Tend-R-Leen program was introduced to the
marketplace as the very first no-roughage
feeding program.
1964
The
program switches to using whole shelled
corn.
1975 Rumensin was added to improve feed
efficiency.
1982 Bovatec
was cleared for increased rate of gain and
improved feed efficiency.
1987 Deccox
was added to calf feeds to control
coccidiosis.
1990’s Tend-R-Leen
Ultra Finisher, code 536, was introduced
as a complete product, offering more
convenience and improved efficiency.
2008 Tend-R-Leen
celebrates 45th anniversary and
introduces new products
~ An Agricultural Comparison – 1963 and 2008 ~
How
much has agriculture changed in the last 45
years? Check
out the chart below for some interesting
statistics.
|
|
1963
|
2008
|
|
Total
number of farms
|
3,572,200
|
2,075,510
|
|
MN
# of farms
|
149,000
|
79,000
|
|
IA
# of farms
|
167,000
|
88,400
|
|
WI
# of farms
|
130,000
|
76,000
|
|
Average
# of acres
|
303
|
441
(2002)
|
|
Total
U.S. ag exports
|
$5.76
billion
|
$81.9
billion (2007)
|
|
Price
of corn/bu.
|
$1.11
|
$6.80
|
|
Price
of soybeans/bu.
|
$2.54
|
$14.85
|
|
Price
of wheat/bu.
|
$1.95
|
$8.45
|
|
Price
of fat steers/cwt.
|
$22.23
|
$95.00
|
|
Price
of milk/cwt.
|
$3.67
|
$19.20
|
|
Price
of barrows/gilts/cwt.
|
$15.01
|
$72.00
|
*2008
prices at time of printing
**
Sources:
Economic Research Service, USDA;
University
of
Illinois
Mixing
Accuracy Can Affect Your Bottom Line
When
we formulate a dairy cow ration, there is
the tendency to overformulate. If the
hayalge is 24 % protein, we may only give it
credit for 22% because we aren’t sure if
all 24% is available. Then, if the bulk tank
average is 80# we will balance for 90-95# of
milk. The reason is that the range of
production in a dairy herd is usually very
wide and we need to be sure we are giving
the early lactation cows all the groceries
they need for high performance.
In
a feedlot however, the performance between
animals is not as wide. There is no need to
overformulate for steers. That means there
is no “wiggle room” for the mixing of
the corn/Tend-R-Leen. We need to be right on
for the most cost effective performance and
of course to be sure we aren’t loosing
money due to overfeeding.
The
Tend-R-Leen program calls for an 92%-8%
corn:pellet mix from 650#-finish weight. If
the mixture is 7% vs. 8%, the crude protein
is 2.5% below the requirement level.
According to the NRC tables, that could be
up to .2# ADG loss of production. Equally
important is that the minerals, vitamins,
and medications will be lowered also. They
can each have additional negative effects on
performance.
If
the mix is 9% vs. 8%, the additional feed
using today’s cost is about $8.75 per
steer from 700#-1350#.
Mixing
accuracy is more important with younger
animals. If you look at the chart you will
notice that from 130# to 650#, each month
the calf should have the corn pellet mix
changed. If you bring in groups of calves
and keep them together, that isn’t hard to
do. However many growers have groups with a
wide range of weights. One of the
difficulties with a group that ranges from
400#-800# is, what mixing rate do you use?
An 8% pellet rate will be far below what the
400# calf needs and a 13% pellet rate that
the 400# calf needs is very expensive to the
800# steers. If you can keep groups within a
200# weight difference, you will improve
performance, reduce costs or both.
Stressed
corn can be lower in protein than the
Tend-R-Leen program has been designed for.
If you think that the steers performance
isn’t where it should be, consider
sampling the corn for moisture and protein
to see if the pellet rate needs to be
increased.
|
|
Product
code
|
Pounds/hd/day
|
Pounds/hd/
month
|
Mixing schedule
|
Feed used to date
|
|
Month
1 (100-130 lbs.)
Tend-R-Leen
Milk Formula
Tend-R-Leen
Calf Starter
|
1300
411
|
.75
1.5-2
|
35
50
|
|
85
|
|
Month
2 (130-189 lbs.)
Tend-R-Leen
Calf Grower
Whole
shelled corn
|
532
|
1.5
|
45
117
|
28%
72%
|
247
|
|
Month
3 (190-264 lbs.)
Tend-R-Leen
Calf Grower
Whole
shelled corn
|
532
|
2
|
60
162
|
27%
73%
|
469
|
|
Month
4 (264-346 lbs.)
Tend-R-Leen
Calf Grower
Whole
shelled corn
|
532
|
2.5
|
75
240
|
24%
76%
|
784
|
|
Month
5 (347-441 lbs.)
Tend-R-Leen
Ultra Finisher
Whole
shelled corn
|
536
|
1.5
|
45
313
|
13%
87%
|
1,142
|
|
Month
6 (442-542 lbs.)
Tend-R-Leen
Ultra Finisher
Whole
shelled corn
|
536
|
1.5
|
45
382
|
11%
89%
|
1,569
|
|
Month
7 (542-654 lbs.)
Tend-R-Leen
Ultra Finisher
Whole
shelled corn
|
536
|
1.5
|
45
442
|
9%
91%
|
2,056
|
|
Mos
8-14 (654-1297 lbs.)
Tend-R-Leen
Ultra Finisher
Whole
shelled corn
|
536
|
1.5
|
45
541
|
8%
92%
|
6,163
|
