I watch a lot of ESPN. Especially, Mike and Mike in the morning from 5 to whenever I move off the couch to go do chores. I like them. I also like the 30 for 30 series. And I like keeping up on sports. It doesn’t matter what sport it is, the athletes are specialized. Football–this is a 3rd down & mid range back as he could run it or swing out & catch a pass. Baseball–this pitcher is wicked against left handers with 2 or fewer people on base in late inning situations. Basketball–3 point specialist or even a defensive specialist. Whatever. There used to be a time when a football player would play both ways. Or a baseball player could hit & pitch. Basically, the best players played–all of the time. Now, they have certain players for certain situations. Whatever.
We are “kind of” that way in the stock show world anymore. Especially when it comes to livestock nutrition. It is “kind of” specialized. Classes like Feeds & Feeding or Livestock Nutrition used to be taught. Now? Why bother?
There was a time when you could actually mix your own ration and get a show animal fed out right. It didn’t matter the species, you could actually buy your ingredients locally to mix a proper ration. Work your Pearson Square, get your feed stuffs and grind/mix the ration. Now? Not so much. Even if you actually still mix your own base ration, you will have to go get some additives. Structure problems–feed this. Need him fatter–add this. Attitude problems–here you go. Need to add muscle–yep, this stuff will pop ’em. And I’m talking all legal additives.
And most people feeding this stuff don’t have a clue about the actual nutritional sciences behind these additives or even the feed that is in the sack. Each additive might actually work, but in conjunction with the others–it just doesn’t balance out. For instance. I kind of like salty foods. I really like foods with a bit of spicy kick to it. But, if I get something that is really salty and wicked spicy–I’m out. Animals are the same. Even though this feed program is designed with the best intentions, it just doesn’t balance out. In today’s environment, there can be too much specialization when feeding show animals.
I may be wrong, but I would venture to say, that in the current stock show world, there are four types of livestock feeders.
–The first is feeding whatever is the current fad. This is the newest additive, the best feed, whatever. They don’t know what they are doing, but just look at all of those winners in those magazine ads. Hey, this stuff is supposed to make them float. I better get some of that. They saw/heard that so-and-so was mixing this with that and it worked. Sure–maybe it was true. But it only worked on that ONE animal. Feed stores LOVE this kind of feeder. They buy EVERYTHING! But, they also HATE this kind of feeder as they will have to stock this kind of feed, but when the feeder changes gears, they now need another type of feed and the store is stuck with the stuff in stock. Hog feeders are the worst. This type of feeder is good for the economy, but they can rarely be helped.
–The second is feeding whatever they can get at their feed store of convenience. This isn’t all bad because you might actually learn how to feed that brand of feed. I’ve had experiences with Show Rite, Honor, Sure Fed & Special K. I can tell you how to feed each one. They will all work if managed right. If you are tied to a certain brand, call somebody that has had CONTINUED success with that feed. Call the feed rep. If they can’t hook you up with proper directions, then you better drive a bit farther to get help from someone that can help.
–The third type is feeding whatever they were told to feed. Exactly as they were told, even though it may not be right. This is GOOD and BAD. The GOOD is when the instructor/coach/jock sees them on a REAL REGULAR basis and can therefore make proper adjustments. The BAD is when they are just FEED DUMPERS. And when things don’t look right, they will ALWAYS have the same reply when you ask the question, “What/how much are you feeding?” The reply will be……wait……wait…..wait for it. It will ALWAYS be, “We’re feeding what you told us to feed.” Wait…I’m sorry but I’ve only seen 50-100 wethers since I last saw yours. Please refresh my memory of what you were told last month. Or, they are on full feed. Well, that doesn’t help. If you are trying to get one to grow, or if you are holding one, you need to know the amount of daily consumption. That full feed deal may not be eating as much as you think. Likewise, that limit feeding animal that is in a pen with another, just might be eating more than you thought. They don’t all eat at the same pace.
The good feeders will notice that they aren’t cleaning everything up. Or they leave some certain feedstuffs in the pan. AND then get help to correct it. The bad ones are just dumping feed.
–The fourth is the minority. These type prescribe to the theory of “It’s not what you feed, but how you feed it.” They know what they are doing. They pay attention to new additives, brands, trends, but don’t have a knee-jerk reaction to automatically try something new. They also, most likely have a feed trial going on, somewhere, someplace dealing with some new additive or trend. This type of feeder is not hard to find, but they are consistent, regardless of species. They will always tell you that clean water and consistent feeding patterns are of utmost mportance. Use proper feedstuffs. Be careful of over-feeding additives. Ruminants will need roughage. Watch their daily intake and growth patterns. Weigh on a regular schedule. Monitor animal health. Feed towards the genetics.
And no matter what kind of feeder that you are, you MUST consider the genetics as well as the phenotype of the animals. If you feed several head, all sired similar, odds are that you can feed them similar. Now, if you end with 8 pens of 5-8 genetically or phenotypically different animals, then you may need numerous types of feed, types of additives and/or amounts of feed intake, not to mention different exercise patterns. This type of feeder better have lots of knowledge, lots of experience and/or proper help which usually requires a big checkbook.
Hunh? Maybe, just maybe, there is still a place for Feeds and Feeding as I am pretty sure that is what was taught back in the 60s, 80s and it is still in style by those that fashion their ribbons to be the colors of blue and purple.
I know, I know. Some will say that there is another kind of feeder. Nope. Those aren’t feeders. That kind misses feedings, steals feed and half asses it when they do feed. Those aren’t feeders. But there is a special kind of place for that type.
