Tend-R-Leen Training Manual Module 4 Module 4: Tend-R-Leen 525 and Creep Feeding

Tend-R-Leen – Not just for Holsteins anymore!

Tend-R-Leen formulations for beef cattle:

  • 525 NBC Base R120
  • Tend-R-Leen 525 NBC All Natural DC 80

Pelleted, medicated 25% protein concentrates for growing beef calves and cattle to be mixed with grain for growing diets as a supplement to forage.

Product Positioning:

  • Calves and growing cattle from nursing to 1000#
  • The ideal grain creep balancer!
  • Growing beef breed/crosses on self-feeders
  • Ideal with whole shell corn, tested on cracked corn
  • Always provide free choice forage
  • Focused on rumen health, not intake limitation

Tend-R-Leen 525 NBC Base R120

Tend-R-Leen 525 NBC All Natural DX 80

Tend-R-Leen 525 NBC

Base Features:

  • Tend-R-Leen Branded Attributes
  • Excellent Pellet Quality
  • High Quality Fiber for Rumen Health (16% Crude Fiber)
  • Multiple Source Proteins for Amino Acid Balance
  • Sodium Diacetate
  • Stealth 5
  • Aromax Essential Oils
  • Bio-Available Trace Minerals

Product Flexibility:

  • One Inventory Product from calf to 1000#
    • 16% (18% DM) mix as a First Stage Creep from week 1 to grass
    • 16% (18% DM) High Protein Creep
    • 14% (16% DM) Creep Mix
    • 12% (14% DM) Grower
      • Excellent bull or replacement grain mix limit fed!
      • Can be used as the supplement in background diets
    • 10.5% (12% DM) Grow-Finish
      • Beef-Cross heifers/moderate framed fleshy
      • 1000#-Finish Steers – Switch to TRL 529 Ultra PE

Feeding Recommendations:

  • Always adapt the calves for at least 3 weeks with the 16% mix. This will program their intakes.
  • Calves will consume roughly 2/3 (2%BW) of their diet from the WSC/525 mix and 1/3 (1% BW) from the forage source(s) offered. Remember additional forage must be offered.
  • Reduced cost for producers who are farther from a manufacturing plant. There is about a $17.00 per ton of WSC/525 NBC mix less freight than a traditional pelleted creep feed.
  • Use the Tend-R-Leen 525 NBC All Natural Decoxx 80 for starting calves and natural programs.
  • Use the Tend-R-Leen 525 NBC R-120 for all other self-fed applications.
  • Whole corn is preferred however the corn may be rolled. Be cautious about getting the grain too fine.
  • Oats, Barley, and other small grains can be used as well.

Tend-R-Leen 16% Creep Grower Complete DX

39639-312

This product can be used as the Phase One Starter feed at one week of age and is available from Stewart and New Richmond feed plants.

It is a very palatable way to get Deccox into young calves.

Stage 1 Creep Feeding

In years past many beef producers have used a texturized dairy calf starter as a Stage 1 creep feed for their baby beef calves. Over time, we have been able to focus on the details of animal’s requirements and diets to make improvements in the performance of the different segments of livestock. Since the formulation for a dairy starter is based on a larger calf with a higher projected intake, a new approach for beef calves is in order.

The primary goal of a first-stage calf creep during the calving season is to provide a palatable option for coccidiostats in a nutrient-dense feed to assist fall-out calves needing extra nutrition. How do we get a suckling beef calf to properly medicate itself for Coccidiosis? It requires medication at the correct level and for the calf to eat the proper amount of starter for their body weight. The mix needs to be both nutrient dense and palatable to achieve the desired results. This is where whole shelled corn shines. The Tend-R-Leen program has shown for years the value of dry whole shelled corn in the starter feed for dairy beef.

The benefits include:

  • Fewer fines than a processed feed reduces the opportunity for acidosis issues.
  • Less waste is probable.
  • Calves really like whole corn.
  • Whole corn is easier to keep fresh.
  • Whole corn and pellets are more difficult to sort.

The whole corn needs to be free from excessive fines. If there is a high level of fines, screening the corn will have a substantial impact on the calf performance. Whole oats can be use but only if they are not dusty, moldy or full of weed seeds.

Give ½ whole shelled corn and ½ creep supplement such as our Tend-R-Leen 525 NBC DX a try this calving season and let us know what you think. Simply provide it at 1 week of age in a designated creep area. Compare your current creep feed to the cost of this mix, also taking into consideration the possible increases you may achieve in gains. It may cost less than what you are currently using.

Source:  Creep Feeding Beef Calves

Effects of creep feeding calves are covered in this NebGuide

Richard J. Rasby, Beef Specialist, Steven W. Niemeyer, Extension Educator

Tend-R-Leen 525 NBC Base Field Demo

FAF Res. Rpt #1701, 2018

Tend-R-Leen 525 NBC Base Field Demo

FAF Res. Rpt #1801, 2018

Mixing Tend-R-Leen 525 NBC

FEEDING DIRECTIONS:

Tend-R-Leen 525 NBC Base R-120 is designed to be mixed with grains at the rate of 400 to 1,000 lb per ton, to produce rations for growing cattle. A source of free choice forage/roughage must be available at all times.

Creep Feeding Tips

If you decide to creep feed, follow these tips for best results:

  • Locate the feeder close to water, shade, mineral tubs, or any area that cows frequent.
  • Allow 4 to 6 inches of trough space per calf.
  • Large pastures and range situation may require additional feeders.
  • Sprinkle some feed on the ground near the feeder to entice calves.
  • Use a calf that is already eating to train new calves.
  • Move the feeder if damage to the vegetation is observed.
  • Clean and adjust feeders often.
  • Do not let the feeders run out.
  • Add Hydro Lac® a week prior to moving the calves. Hydro Lac provides electrolytes and energy, which have been proven to facilitate dry matter intake and reduce the loss of vital nutrients which occur due to moving and stress.

BENEFITS OF CREEP FEEDING:

  • Increased weaning weight, increased weight per day of age.
  • Pre-condition/bunk break calves, which can reduce stress at weaning.
  • Decrease grazing pressure. Calf’s intake preference is first milk, then creep, then forage.
  • Improved forage utilization. A high protein creep can improve rumen function.
  • Calves of the same age grow to a more uniform size.
  • There is less shrinkage at weaning time.
    Lusby and Gill ; Rasby and Niemeyer

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN DECIDING TO CREEP FEED:

  • Forage/milk resources and the dams’ milking ability
  • Labor availability
  • Feed cost/cost of gain
  • Frame size of calves
  • Feeder calf prices
  • Retained ownership/ Replacement heifers
    Lusby and Gill ; Rasby and Niemeyer

CREEP FEEDING CAN INCREASE PROFITABILITY:

  • High calf prices.
  • Low feed prices.
  • Pastures begin to decline in quality.
  • Dams are first calf heifers or old cows with insufficient milk production.
  • The growth potential of the calf isn’t being met with milk and forage.
  • Calves are being reared when grazing is impossible.
  • Registered bull calves are being raised for breeding stock.

TIPS FOR STARTING CALVES ON CREEP FEED:

  • Include palatable feeds such as ground oats, cottonseed hulls, or molasses.
  • Locate the feeder close to water, shade, mineral tubs, or any area that cows frequent.
  • Allow 4 to 6 inches of trough space per calf.
  • Use an older calf that is already eating out of a bunk.
  • Sprinkle some feed on the ground near the feeder to entice calves.