Typical feed efficiency values for calves and heifers




Typical feed efficiency values for calves and heifers (feed to gain; DMI to ADG)

Calves on milk 2:1 to 2.5:1

Weaned calves (25% forage) 3:1 to 4:1

Young heifers (50% high quality forage) 4:1

Heifers on TMR 6:1 to 7:1

Older heifers (poor forage) 8:1 or more (has been shown to be 15:1 in some cases)

Yearling heifers on high quality feeds and forages can easily have a 5:1 ratio of feed to gain, but this can decrease to 8:1 or more for less digestible, high forage diets. One example of allowing feedstuffs to digest longer in the rumen by not having animals on full feed was demonstrated in Wisconsin research. In this study heifers fed a controlled amount, 80% of ad-lib intakes, showed a 29% improvement in feed efficiency compared to heifers that were allowed to eat as much as they wanted. In addition, heifers fed a controlled amount produced approximately 2 pounds less manure (on a dry matter basis) each day than heifers fed ad-lib.

A last point is that a few feed additives that improve rumen function and microbial digestion have been shown to improve heifer feed efficiency. These include ionophores and yeast, both of which can affect feed and/or forage digestibility.

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