Green calves and timing of high power rations
Published on February 5, 2024 at 11:54am EST | Author: frazeevergas
0By Tyler Trieglaff
Notes from the Chief
Notes from the farm…Weighing the calves last Sunday went very well. Aside from having to run the calves in circles 4-5 times to get them into the feed bunk, they cooperated.
We move them into a different feed bunk closer to the chute and corral versus the feed bunk we feed them in. The steers averaged 779 lbs., gaining 2.2 pounds per day. The heifers averaged 725 lbs. and are gaining 2 pounds per day.
The nutritionist said that is what he expected with the .47 NEg (Net Energy gain). Net Energy Gain (NEG) is a concept used in energy economics that refers to the difference between the energy expended to harvest an energy source and the amount of energy gained from that harvest.
We have tried a higher NEg in the past, but gaining too much weight too fast can prematurely fatten the calves which the buyers do not want. The feeder cattle industry uses the term, “green” to describe a calf that has not yet been given a high-power ration. The green calves are preferred as they are ready to explode in weight gain and feed efficiency.
Calves on a higher NEg can gain upwards of 3-3.5 pounds per day on a backgrounding ration. Our steer that is being fattened is gaining over 4 pounds per day on a fattening ration. He weighed 1,450 pounds on Sunday and will be hanging in the locker plant cooler by the time you read this.
One bit of humor from the past week…I needed dispatch to print some paperwork for me as they have a little more access to some of the criminal files than officers do. I went to get the paperwork and noticed the font was HUGE! It was super easy to read and probably took a couple extra pages to print. I was about to ask why the large print, then it dawned on me. I just turned 50. It must be common courtesy to print things in larger font when one crosses that threshold. Have a nice week!
Saturday, Jan. 27
12:03 a.m. Assist with a warrant arrest on Co Hwy 29.
10 p.m. Report of a disturbance between male and female. Officer tried to mediate the situation as the male was trying to get the last of his property. Female would not give up anything else. Officer told both parties that they both needed to get out of town as they have been a problem since they moved in.
10:41 p.m. Report of another disturbance at the same apartment. Officer did not hear anything that warranted knocking on the door potentially making things worse. The apartment was at normal volume when the officer left.
Monday, Jan. 29
9:44 a.m. Report of a dog at large. The dog owner was talked to about the loose dog.
12:29 p.m. Local business reporting strange behavior from a male party. Male has not been identified yet and may be trespassed once identified.
Tuesday, Jan. 30
8:21 a.m. Report of a backpack left by a business. A bystander saw juveniles leave the backpack and then pick it back up.
10:10 a.m. Report of a cell phone stolen from the high school. Under investigation.
11:20 a.m. Welfare check requested on children that are with their mother. Grandma supposedly has custody, and the kids went with mom for the weekend. Mom claims that custody is hers. The kids were ok, and we are waiting for proper court paperwork to determine who has custody.
12:50 p.m. Background check for landlord.
Wednesday, Jan. 31
Happy birthday to my mom!!!
10:52 a.m. Vehicle unlock at the high school.
11:28 a.m. Assist with a medical.
12:08 p.m. Local business reporting female harassing the business.
1:15 p.m. Background check for local business.
4:15 p.m. Assist with a medical.
4:39 p.m. Report of a disturbance/domestic incident. Iteia Mock, 22, Minneapolis arrested for domestic assault.
4:54 p.m. Tenant calling in to report disturbance from the night before. Officer told the caller that the issue is handled as the problem is now going to jail.
Thursday, Feb. 1
10:52 a.m. Stand by while property is collected from a residence as one was moving out per court order.
12:38 p.m. Tenant reporting that the upstairs renters are walking around their apartment and harassing her.
1:20 p.m. Welfare check on an adult female threatening to harm herself.
3:18 p.m. Assist high school staff with identifying some vehicles in the parking lot. Students may have been doing a little hanky panky on school property.
6:54 p.m. Assist fire department with a carbon monoxide alarm at a residence.