THE final weigh-in for 2014 for the Richmond Rabobank Beef Challenge was conducted last week on Wilburra Downs Station and although it has been an extremely dry and difficult year, the cattle showed a continual weight gain until just two weeks prior. At that point their weights plateaued.
Information gained crush side at the weigh-in show an average daily weight gain for the mob of 0.43kg/day for the 7/11/14-25/11/14 period. This compares to 0.51 during the previous period – an expected drop due to the difficult conditions - yet still a weight gain.
It must be noted that the cattle have only been receiving supplements since October 6, 2014 and this average daily weight gain is from August 7 to November 25. It is expected that the real effects of the supplements will be revealed at the next weigh-in.
The mob is from 10 different herds and of various breed and age groups when entered into the Challenge.
To assist graziers choose the best supplement for a particular age group or breed, one third of each of the 10 representative herds are fed different supplements
One third are now being fed a loose lick supplied by Stocklick Trading, one third a molasses (M5U) based lick with a Novus Nutrition additive and one third the Beachport mineral supplement which will be added to their water.
The following results were revealed at this weigh-in:
Group 1 (17 per cent urea loose lick) = 248kg and 0.44kg/head/day
Group 2 ( Beachport Minerals water medication) = 242kg and 0.41kg/head/day
Group 3 ( molasses based supplement) = 250kg and 0.45kg/head/day
DAFF field officer Emma Hegarty pointed out that there was no significant difference in average live weight and average daily gains between the three treatment groups at this stage. She added that that could change as the year gets hotter and natural fodder becomes more scarce.
“When looking at the walk over weighing data, it can be seen that the steers live weights have plateaued over the past two weeks,” MS Hegarty told graziers who attended the weigh-in.
“I am yet to get the November dung sample back but I suspect that the diet quality has dropped enough now meaning that from now on we should see a benefit from feeding the supplements to the cattle.
“Prior to now the diet quality has been sufficient to meet their requirements,” she said.
She told graziers that the cattle had recently been wormed and later testing showed the cattle were worm free.
Graziers involved in the Challenge decided to wait until the first week of January to decide on whether or not to continue the challenge.
If it has not rained by then they will conduct a weigh day where a decision will be made as to what to do with the cattle.
If it has rained it is envisaged that the Challenge can continue until the following weigh-in most likely after the wet season.
