10/05/2026
When new cattle come in, sometimes they dont know how to eat the way we need them to. Getting them on feed and on a proper regimen takes time, attention, and calculation. Too much feed at once could lead to acidosis, bloat or death. Too little feed, they just wander around restless and hungry.
We have to adjust their rumen microbes slowly. There are two different type of rumen microbes: one for grass and hay and one for grains. Coming straight off grass pasture, they don't possess the proper bacteria to break down large amounts of grain.
In the first few days, they get fed a small amount and what doesn't get eaten, gets taken away. They have to to wait 12 hours for the next feeding. Once they start licking the feeder clean they get a few more pounds per feeding. Eventually, when they come to the bunk, stay there the whole time, pick it clean, and walk away, they will be granted full access to full feed whenever they want it.