VOERMOL BEEFMAKER

BY Ulrich Muller - 21 April 2010

VOERMOL BEEFMAKER

Reg.No. V7535 (Act 36/1947 – RSA)

Voermol Beefmaker :

is a concentrate for the fattening of cattle in a feedlot.
is designed in such a way that no or very little hay is used.
contains the necessary protein, fibre, minerals, trace minerals, Vitamin A and additives.
makes the fattening of weaners easy as no or very little mixing and milling is required.

The Voermol Beefmaker Feeding System is an advanced feeding system which allows cattle to regulate their own consumption of Voermol Beefmaker and Hominy Chop, whole maize or other grains. The use of Voermol Beefmaker results in an efficient feed conversion ratio.

Composition:

	g/kg		mg/kg
Protein* (min)	240	Zinc	74
Moisture (max)	160	Manganese	49
Urea (max)	56.2	Copper	25
Crude Fibre (max)	120	Iodine	0.98
Calcium (max)	39	Iron	74
Phosphorus (min)	5.9	Cobalt	0.98
		Selenium	0.5
*72.2% derived from NPN		Vit. A (IU/kg)	30 000

Contains medicaments such as an ionophore and others.

Voermol Beefmaker Feeding System:

i) Follow the normal vaccination and dosing programme as prescribed by a veterinarian.
ii) Animals that have been starved of feed need to be given hay/grazing and clean water for a day.
iii) During the first 14 days of adaptation, feed a mixture of 20% Voermol Beefmaker and 80% Hominy Chop or other grains and Voermol Beefmaker separate. Feed both fractions ad libitum. No hay must be fed. See Diagram I.
iv) Once the animals are adapted (after about 14 days), feed the Voermol Beefmaker separate in about 15% of the available trough space and the Hominy Chop or other grains in the remainder 85% trough space. Both ingredients must be fed ad libitum. See Diagram II.
v) Feed the Voermol Beefmaker and Hominy Chop or other grains separate until the cattle are ready for slaughter. No hay must be fed.
vi) It is important that there is Voermol Beefmaker and Hominy Chop or other grains available at all times (24/7).
vii) Ensure that the Voermol Beefmaker and Hominy Chop or other grains remain fresh and palatable. Do not feed too much at a time. The regular consumption of Voermol Beefmaker is essential to the well being of the cattle.

Diagram I – First 14 days of adaptation

Voermol Beefmaker

15% of trough space

20% Voermol Beefmaker

mixed with

80% Hominy Chop or other grains

85% of trough space

Diagram II – After adaptation until slaughter

Voermol Beefmaker

15% of trough space

Hominy Chop

85% of trough space

Energy Feeds:

In the recommendations above reference is made to Hominy Chop and other grains. Hominy Chop is the first choice of energy source to be used in the Beefmaker Feeding System. However if Hominy Chop is unavailable or other sources of energy are readily available at a competitive price, these can be considered. Simply replace some or all of the Hominy Chop with an alternative energy source. Energy sources to consider:

Whole maize – can replace up to all the Hominy Chop.
Grain Sorghum – can replace up to all the Hominy Chop. Grain Sorghum has to be milled.
Wheaten Bran – can replace up to 15% of the Hominy Chop.
Small grains such as Wheat, Barley and Triticale can replace up to 30% of the Hominy Chop. These have to be milled.

Consult your Voermol representative or nutritionist about these substitutions.

Problems:

The following is a list of problems that are often experienced when using the Voermol Beefmaker Feeding System.

i) Adaptation is not done properly. Ensure that the correct procedures for adaptation are followed for at least 14 days.
ii) Calves are too light when introduced onto the Voermol Beefmaker Feeding System. Minimum weight 250kg. See special adaptation procedure for calves lighter than 250kg.
iii) A small % of cattle experience problems to adapt to this feeding system or do not adapt at all. Move these calves into a separate paddock where there is less competition.
iv) Cattle are not properly sorted. Small and large or cattle of different sexes are in the same paddock. This increases unfair competition and cattle do not adapt properly. Ensure that cattle of the same sex and weight are kept together.
v) Bloat. If bloat is experienced make sure that the correct quantity of Voermol Beefmaker is consumed (minimum 1.2kg/head/day).

Calves lighter than 250 kg:
A special adaptation procedure has to be followed for calves that weigh less than 250 kg when introduced into a feedlot. After processing, feed the following Starter Ration until calves have reached the minimum weight of 250 kg. Then introduce these calves onto the Voermol Beefmaker Feeding System starting with the 14 days of adaptation.