Question: I was wondering what feed ration would be good to use on a show steer? A ration that does the job that does not have the show feed cost. Do you offer a product that you can mix with corn, oats, etc?

Answer: Jared,

Thank you for contacting the HONOR Show Chow Website!

I think we have EXACTLY what you are looking for in the Grand 4T Fyer. You can blend this at home with local grains, or work with a local Land OLakes Purina Feed dealer/coop that has grind and mix capability.

40 to 48% Rolled Corn (adjust this based on the steer. Small frame or medium frame? If big bodied and easy feeding, use the lower inclusion)
7.5 to 20% Oats and/or soybean hulls
7.5 to 15% Cottonseed Hulls (needed to increase the bulk in the ration; not required but STRONGLY recommended)
0 to 4% Beet Pulp (if you offer free choice medium quality grass hay, this is not needed)
4 to 7% Liquid Molasses (adjust to your preference; this will depend on the animal, grain processing, mixing capability, etc)
20% HSC Grand 4T Fyer (do not change this inclusion)

The percentages in your ration need to add to 100%.

NOTE: Make sure this option is truly cheaper than the bagged HONOR Show Chow products when you are all finished. You need to keep convenience, grain quality, and feed consistency in mind here.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns.

Thank you,

Steven E. Myers, Ph.D.
Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC
Consulting Beef Nutritionist

Question: Currently we have a newborn (2 weeks old) Regular Angus bull calf and another bull or heifer calf due within 2 weeks. We are raising these calves for show. Can you tell me when and what to feed these newborn calves to start them on a show feeding schedule? We have been told to start hand feeding them at about 1 1/2 months old. Can you give me information on what to start feeding these babies in addition to their mothers milk and when?

Answer: Jean,

Thank you for contacting the HONOR Show Chow website!

I would not expect much creep feed consumption before 3 to 4 months of age (unless the dams are low milk producers; limited grass and/or hay; and extremely small pasture size). You can offer a creep product whenever you would like though. If grind N mix is an option, you can make an excellent creep feed with the use of our HONOR Show Chow Grand 4T Fyer (mixed with corn, oats, cottonseed hulls and molasses; I can help you with the recommended inclusion of each ingredient). If you need a complete feed, I would recommend the use of a commercial cattle product called 4 Square Stocker/Grower 14N (5/32” creep pellets). You can keep them on that product till weaning, or we can look at a few other options if needed. I typically do not recommend the use of our HSC Fitters Edge in a creep feeder (higher molasses level on the product can create some challenges with feed flow in the feeders, etc). With proper management, you can use the HSC Fitters Edge in a creep pen (need to keep the feed fresh). Depending on the genetics, creep feed prior to 4 months of age may not be needed. You also do not want the calves to get OVERLY fleshy if they are likely to be smaller/moderate frame size. We can effectively start a show feed program post weaning (wean on our Preconditioning/Receiving Chow followed by the use of our HONOR Show Chow Fitters Edge).

Please let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns.

Thank you for your interest!

Steven E. Myers, Ph.D.
Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC
Consulting Beef Nutritionist

Question: I have noticed a drop in feed intake with one of our show steers since adding Depth Charge to his ration. Is this to be expected or just coincidental? He has been on it for about 6 weeks. I will grant that he has definitely put on additional ribshape and depth of body.

Answer: AJ,

Thank you for contacting the HONOR Show Chow Website!

I assume you are feeding the High Octane Depth Charge to more than one head (steers)? Cattle are just like people and they are all different. Please make sure he has free choice access to clean and cool water.

To my knowledge, the use of High Octane Depth Charge has not lowered daily feed intake.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns. We appreciate your business!

Steven E. Myers, Ph.D.
Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC
Consulting Beef Nutritionist

Question: When I went to the jackpot, my steer did very well in the grand drive, but the judge said my steer had adequate top shape. Is there anything I can do to make him have really good top shape for the next jackpot? Or is that just something that will progress as he gets older?

Answer: Ryan,

Thank you for contacting the HONOR Show Chow website!

Top shape will come with more maturity (depending on the genetics), management (nutrition), and stress (water consumption and hauling to the show). The more fill you have on him, the thicker his top will look. You might want to consider our High Octane Depth Charge prior to the next show (start feeding this at home at least one week prior to the show). Remember livestock evaluation is very SUBJECTIVE! The next judge might say he has a HUGE top.

You might want to increase the amount of feed he is consuming by 2 to 3 lb/hd/d to see if that makes any difference.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions or comments.

Good luck!

Steven E. Myers, Ph.D.
Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC
Consulting Beef Nutritionist

Question: I am feeding the High Octane Champion Drive supplement to my daughters show steer. I am feeding 1 lb per day; 1/2 lb in the morning and 1/2 lb at night. Is this the most effective way to feed it, or would it work better to feed the entire 1 lb at just one of the feedings?

Answer: Jim,

Thank you for your question and for choosing HONOR Show Chow.

It is always a wise to divide everything that is fed in the daily diet into two equal meals per day. So, you are doing the right thing.

High Octane Champion Drive can be fed at higher rates (2 lbs per day) if you need more help. Not all animals respond to nutrition in the same manner, and some need more help than others. I say that not knowing if your steer falls into that category, just wanting to say that if you need to you can feed more per day.

Thanks again

Dr. Kevin Burgoon
HONOR Show Chow Nutritionist

Question: My steer weighs 1,200 lbs and has good cover. He is medium to large frame with 98 days to show (slick sheer). Is that too long to hold one or can he still be fresh looking on show day? Also, what weight is too heavy for most judges?

Answer: Raymond,

Thank you for contacting the HONOR Show Chow website!

I would not get too worried about holding him until he gets fairly mature (condition over the rib, pins, brisket, cod and flank). I realize 98 days is quite a while.

If you feed him to 1,380 lbs (shrink him to 1,340 lbs with the haul, management prior to the show?), 180 lb of gain / 98 days = 1.84 lb/hd/d average daily gain.

When you want to moderate the gain process, you might want to consider the use of our HSC Full Control. Feed 10 to 12 lbs/hd/d. Monitor his gain. If acceptable, add 1 to 2 lbs/hd/d of our High Octane Depth Charge. I would also offer free choice medium quality grass hay and clean water. We have had excellent luck holding/maintaining with this program approach for this period of time.

Do not hold my feet to the fire on the final question! This will vary with the individual judge. Range: 1,280 to 1,350 lbs (show weight). Average: 1,320 to 1,340 lbs (show weight). Anything over 1,360 lbs (show weight) seems to be too heavy for most judges.

I hope this helps!

Steven E. Myers, Ph.D.
Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC
Consulting Beef Nutritionist

Question: My son has a Shorthorn show steer weighing 1,125 lbs. Our target show is the OYE (Oklahoma Youth Expo) on March 16th. The steers weight gain seems to be fine and my son is feeding him HSC Finishing Touch, 11 lbs 2 times per day along with 8 oz of Vitafirm Sure Champ with prairie hay only at night. The steer is kept under fans during the day and turned out at night. Has fresh water 100% of the time. Is there anything else my son can do to make sure this steer has the finish that he needs? I have heard to add Rice Bran and Power Fuel.

Answer: Connie,

Thank you for contacting the HONOR Show Chow website!

22 lbs of feed / 1,125 lbs of body weight = ~2.0% of body weight

200 lbs of gain (?) / 60 days = 3.33 lb/hd/d needed. What has he been gaining?

I generally do not recommend feeding more than 20 lbs/hd/d of HSC Finishing Touch. I think you are maxed out on that.

When finishing you do not need extra protein. The VitaFerm Sure Champ pellet are not needed or helping to optimize fattening.

HONOR Show Chow Finishing Touch is formulated with extruded fat nugget technology. This base feed is 5% fat on an as fed basis. The High Octane Power Fuel is an option. I would stay at the lower feeding rate. Our NEW High Octane Heavy Weight is also an option. Again, stay at the lower feeding rate and introduce this product GRADUALLY. If stool quality or feed intake changes with either supplement, lower the feeding rate. I would offer free choice medium quality grass hay (if you aren’t already).

You cannot change the past, but it may help you in the future. When did you start him on a HSC Finishing Touch? Depending on the animal, it is best to start them on a high energy ration early in the feeding season to promote finishing earlier in the feeding phase.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns. We appreciate your business and look forward to seeing you all at the Oklahoma Youth Expo!

Thank you,

Steven E. Myers, Ph.D.
Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC
Consulting Beef Nutritionist

Question: I have heard through a breeder of mine that Purnia Show Chow is coming out with a new product called heavy weight and was supposed to be out by January 1st. When am I supposed to be able to purchase it?

Answer: Shannon,

Thank you for contacting the HONOR Show Chow website!

The NEW High Octane Heavy Weight product is available on a REGIONAL BASIS at this time. Current availability will depend on where your local dealer orders/receives his Land OLakes Purina Feed products.

The ordering code is 3000374-112, 206T

Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

Thank you,

Steven E. Myers, Ph.D.
Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC
Consulting Beef Nutritionist

Question:Why does my show heifer not take in Depth Charge?

Answer: Luis,

Thank you for contacting the HONOR Show Chow website!

I am sorry to learn of your intake challenges with our High Octane Depth Charge.

Palatability of this product has been quite good. The High Octane Depth Charge does have a unique aroma/flavoring. As with any new product I would recommend that you introduce it gradually. Start with a 0.25 lb (4 ounces)/day (mixed into the grain), and adjust in 0.25 lb increments every other day (up to the targeted feeding rate; 1 to 3 lb/hd/d).

If you continue to have challenges, please let me know.

Thank you,

Steven E. Myers, Ph.D.
Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC
Consulting Beef Nutritionist

Question: Heard that Honor Show Chow has a new fat supplement coming out? Just wanted any information you have on it.

Answer: Ed,

Thank you for your question and interest in High Octane Heavy Weight.

High Octane Heavy Weight is a dry, high fat (70%) product. It has milk replacer like qualities (water miscible), and contains coconut oil.

During testing animals loved it. You can feed this to any species. However, ruminants may take 3 to 5 days to make the adjustment. My suggestion would be to start slow (1 to 2 oz per day) with ruminants and increase slowly ever 3 to 5 days.

It should now be available through our Fort Worth distribution center for your local Purina dealer to order.

Thanks again,

Dr. Kevin Burgoon
HONOR Show Chow Nutritionist