Feeding concentrates to weanlings is a practice that farmers often have differing opinions on. In my opinion, weanlings should definitely be fed after weaning and I would also be strongly in favour of feeding for at least a couple of weeks prior to weaning.

Response

The main question in relation to weanling supplementation is does it give a response?

Research was carried out by Teagasc a number of years ago where well-grown weanlings (258kg initial liveweight) were fed either silage alone or silage with 1.5kg or 3kg concentrates per day.

At the end of winter, the total liveweight responses were 45kg and 88kg to the 1.5kg/day and 3.0kg/day feeding levels respectively

Results for the trial showed there was a good response to concentrates in winter: 279g/day to the first 1.5kg of concentrates and 255g/day to the second 1.5kg. At the end of winter, the total liveweight responses were 45kg and 88kg to the 1.5kg/day and 3.0kg/day feeding levels respectively.

Overall, the trials showed when the concentrate level in winter is 1kg/day the conversion rate to liveweight at the end of the winter is about 4.5:1. Approximately 65% of this extra liveweight is retained to the end of the following grazing season giving a conversion rate at that time of about 7:1.

For 2kg/day, the response was 5.5:1 and for 3kg/day the response was 7:1.

Practical

First things first, you need to be practical. A weanling ration should always be very palatable, fresh-smelling and free from dust or soiling. Fresh-smelling is key here because weanlings are very curious and respond highly to smell. An enticing ration will help to get calves eating concentrates quickly.

In terms of nutritional value, a weanling ration should be high in protein and have a moderate energy value.

Protein

Protein is a key nutrient to support growth and therefore cattle from six to 12 months of age need high-protein in their diet.

In terms of a protein content, which is given as crude protein (CP), a weanling ration should have 12%-20% CP. This range is included to factor in silage quality. If you want to have your weanling diet accurate this winter, it is vital to get your silage tested.

For example, 12%-14% CP ration will suffice on a high, 14% CP silage. On a lower 10% CP silage, the ration should be 16%-20% CP. If you don’t know the CP of your silage, a 16% CP ration is a safe bet.

High protein feed stuffs include soya bean meal (48% CP) and maize distillers (25% CP) so watch out for these ingredients in a ration.

Energy

Energy is also an important nutrient for growth but more so for weight gain – hence the reason it is vital to have high energy in finishing diets, for example.

In terms of energy, weanling rations should be no less than 0.94 UFL. UFLs are the units for measuring the energy content of feed and forages for growing, store and mature cattle.

Be careful not to confuse this with UFVs, the units for measuring energy for finishing cattle.

High-energy feed stuffs include barley (1 UFL), wheat (1 UFL) and maize grains (1.05 UFL) so watch out for these ingredients.

One point of caution on this – wheat is rapidly digestible, causing a high risk of acidosis or swelling. It is best to feed rolled wheat and limit its inclusion to 2-3kg/head in a diet.

Straights

Many farmers are looking at the option of feeding their own cereals or buying straights and mixing their own ration. This is an option but does have some limitations.

Feeding anywhere from 1-3kg/head of rolled barley or rolled wheat will be sufficient if silage CP is 16% or higher. Where silage is below this, rolled barley or wheat should be complimented with an adequate level of protein – soya bean meal or maize distillers would be appropriate.

Finally, the inclusion of minerals into weanling rations is very important.