Drought Feeding
Trial Objective: To determine the effectiveness of using MegaMin as an alternative to feeding Urea during dry weather and drought conditions. Animals: 27 Hereford weaner steers with 3 pens (each with 3 animals) per diet. Average weight of stock: 285kg. Location: Kirby Feedlot, University of New England. Duration: The trial was conducted over two periods with period one being on low quality feed and period two being an even lower quality feed to simulate deepening drought conditions. Period 1: Low Quality Feed (64 Days) The cattle were fed a roughage mix of 80% Barley Chaff and 20% Lucerne Chaff with three pens receiving MegaMin (29 grams/day) and three receiving Urea (75grams/day) as a supplement. As a control, three pens received no supplement. During this period all cattle gained a marginal amount of weight. Period 2: Drought Feed Ration (49 Days) To simulate deteriorating fodder quality as would be experienced during a drought, a reduction in the amount of lucerne from 20% to 5% of the ration was implemented in the second trial period. Three pens received MegaMin (44 grams/day) and three receiving Urea (94 grams/day) as a supplement. As a control, three pens received no supplement. Over the course of the 49-day period, all cattle lost weight with the steers fed MegaMin having the lowest weight loss. Average weight loss for total trial period (113 days) Control - 19.8kg Urea -15.0 kg MegaMin - 6.1 kg While the differences in weight loss were not statistically significant, the reduced weight loss in animals using MegaMin is commercially important when cattle are experiencing prolonged exposure to low quality feeds. Reduced weight loss = $$$’s SAVED Steers on MegaMin lost less weight than the animals on the control and urea rations. Using the sale price of $2.00 / kg, the charts on the right show the substantial cost savings for the animals that were fed Superior. During Winter and drought conditions, reduced weight loss and lower costs for supplements = increased profits for YOU Following the trials, the cattle were returned to pasture for two months. Animals that had been fed MegaMin during the trial period showed an increased weight gain of 67 grams / day compared to the control group.