Tend-R-Leen: The original no-roughage feeding program

Recent record high corn and grain prices present challenges for all livestock producers. As dairy beef producers, we must work even harder to be efficient and maximize our feed efficiency and gains. Following are some common myths, concerns, and strategies for dealing with higher feed prices.

Myth: If I purchase less feed off farm and feed silage or hay, my feed costs will be lower.

While it may seem like you are saving money by having a smaller off farm feed bill, you could well be sacrificing profit, due to increased amount of feed required to finish a steer, decreased feed efficiency, increased days on feed, and reduced average daily gains. In addition, roughage fed cattle may grade lower than steers fed on a no-roughage diet, thereby reducing your income at the time of sale.

Producer Strategy: Compare the numbers for performance and profit of steers on a roughage ration versus Tend-R-Leen fed steers. These projections are based on cattle fed from 350 lbs. to 1227 lbs.

Tend-R-Leen ration Shelled corn, haylage, protein ration

Shelled corn: $7.00/bu. Shelled corn: $7.00/bu.

Tend-R-Leen Finisher $686/ton Haylage: $55/ton

40% protein: $520/ton

ADG = 3.22 pounds ADG = 2.5 pounds

Days on feed = 272 days (9.06 months) Days on feed = 352 days (11.73 months)

Market weight in 13 months Market weight in 15.73 months

Feed cost Feed cost

78.21 bu. corn = $547.47 84.2 bu. corn = $589.40

408.48 # TRL = $140.11 4000 # haylage = $110.00

352# 40% pro. = $91.52

Total Feed Cost = $687.58 Total = $790.92

Feed cost/pound of gain = $0.78 Feed cost/pound of gain = $0.90

Yield = 61% Yield = 58.5%

That’s a difference of $0.12 in cost per pound of gain. Feeding cattle from 350 lbs. to 1227 lbs. (877 lbs. of gain) would cost $103.34 less on the Tend-R-Leen program versus the roughage program!

Myth: I can purchase a competitor’s concentrate cheaper. Why should I buy Tend-R-Leen?

Is saving $50 or more per ton of concentrate worth it? The feeding rate of the lesser expensive product needs to be considered to determine the actual cost. Also, was the product researched and designed for the type of feeding you are doing? Or is it cheaper on face value but costs more in the end with increased feed per pound of gain, lowered average daily gain, health and digestive problems, and poor quality finished steers resulting in lower profit because of added costs?

We’ve been asked the question -"Why does Tend-R-Leen^® cost more than your competitors?" Tend-R-Leen is the lowest cost per pound of gain no roughage beef feeding program researched and proven over 50 years of no roughage cattle feeding. The addition of Sodium Diacetate along with the amino acid balanced nutrition supplies the acetic acid normally produced from digestion of roughage. This serves as a buffer, assuring more consistent intake and a healthier digestive tract. Sodium Diacetate also increases feed efficiency, requiring less corn to bring an animal to market. Sodium diacetate saves you about 6 bushels per steer and one ton of TRL feeds about 4 steers. That is 24 bushels per ton of Tend-R-Leen or $168. Another reason that Tend-R-Leen may cost more than other proteins is because it also contains yeast and B vitamins. With Tend-R-Leen, protein and mineral supplementation is designed for the shift in digestion to the intestine and the higher rates of gain on less feed.

Because Tend-R-Leen has done the research on feeding no-roughage steers, we have accurate data documenting the performance of our program. Can competitive programs give you accurate numbers or any at all?

Tend-R-Leen^® products contain more natural protein than the competitors no-roughage program products. Currently Domain, Inc. utilizes only plant and vegetable protein sources to manufacture Tend-R-Leen^® products. Excluding the use of animal protein sources in our Tend-R-Leen^® products increases the cost but allows you, the producer, to certify your animals have not been fed any ruminant animal protein products with confidence.

If Tend-R-Leen^® costs $50/ton more than the competitor’s product with the same feeding rate, it only takes less than one additional ounce of gain to breakeven.

$50/ton feeds 4 steers/ton = $12.50/steer. If fed for 330 days that breaks down to 3.8 cents/day and, at $1.05/lb. fat cattle price, .03 lbs more ADG will make up the difference. This is less than an ounce per day to have the satisfaction of knowing that you are feeding your steers the BEST and the original No-Roughage Program.

If a competitive product has a 2 pound feeding rate and is boasting a $100/ton savings over Tend-R-Leen^®, you may need to look at the numbers more closely. At 2 lbs./hd/day, only 3 steers can be fed per ton versus Tend-R-Leen^®'s 4 steers per ton. When you break this down, the price ends up the same. But with Tend-R-Leen^®, you have the satisfaction of knowing your steers are getting the same high quality nutrition every time you feed.

The next time a competitor boasts of a price savings over Tend-R-Leen^®, you may want to compare all the facts such as: feeding recommendations, economic projections, rate of gain, feed efficiency or closeouts that are for operations that are similar to your own.

If you have access to the Internet, you can go to tendrleen.com and download our economic projection worksheet so you can determine your economic situation at any stage of raising steers.

Look closely at all aspects of your operation. Even small changes in your management practices can make a difference to your bottom line. Several key management practices include steer comfort, implants, vaccination and water. These all can affect performance and profitability in large ways.

To make a profit when feed prices are high you must learn to closely observe all parts of your operation.

If you want assistance in figuring out if you are doing the most to get your maximum profitability, contact your local Tend-R-Leen dealer or sales representative, or call 1-800-328-8752.