Grain Rations for Beef Cattle: A Complete Guide

Feeding grain rations to beef cattle can significantly improve weight gain, feed efficiency, and meat quality, but improper feeding can lead to health issues. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about supplementing your cattle’s diet with grain rations to maximize growth and maintain health.

What Are Grain Rations?

Grain rations refer to cereal grains such as corn, barley, wheat, oats, or sorghum (milo) used as energy supplements in cattle diets. These grains provide a concentrated source of digestible starch, which delivers more energy per pound than roughages like hay or grass. While forage should form the basis of a beef cow’s diet, grain rations can be added to meet increased energy needs during specific production phases.

Benefits of Feeding Grain to Beef Cattle

Here’s why supplementing with grain rations can be beneficial:

• Increased Average Daily Gain: Grain concentrates boost energy intake, allowing cattle to gain 2-4 lbs daily.
• Improved Feed Efficiency: Cattle convert grain into muscle more efficiently than roughages, leading to less wasted feed.
• Higher Quality Grades: Grain increases intramuscular fat (marbling), leading to higher-quality grades like Prime or Choice.
• Greater Carcass Weights: Faster weight gains result in heavier carcasses at slaughter, increasing profitability.
• Higher Market Prices: Grain-finished cattle often fetch higher prices than grass-fed beef due to improved meat quality.

Types of Grains Used in Beef Cattle Rations

Different grains can be incorporated into beef cattle diets, each with its own benefits:

Grain	Key Features
Corn	Highly palatable, energy-dense, and low-cost. Needs processing (grinding or steam-flaking) for better digestibility.
Sorghum (Milo)	Heat and drought-tolerant, with 90-95% of corn’s feeding value. Needs processing.
Barley	Higher in protein but lower in energy than corn. Should be rolled or ground. Rapidly fermented.
Oats	High in fiber and protein. Improves rumen health on high-grain diets. Best when roasted or steamed.
Wheat	High energy (120% of corn’s value). Limit to 50% of the grain ration to avoid digestive issues.
Grain Byproducts	Include wheat middlings, distillers grains, and corn gluten feed. Rich in digestible fiber and protein.

Example Grain Ration for Finishing Beef Cattle

Here’s an example of a finishing ration for feedlot cattle:

Ingredient	Percentage
Steam-flaked corn	55%
Dry rolled sorghum grain	15%
Wheat middlings	15%
Corn gluten feed	10%
Chopped alfalfa hay	5%

This ration provides around 13% crude protein, 4.5% fat, and 80 Mcal/cwt net energy for gain. It balances grain for energy and fiber for rumen health, and should be fed in 15-25 lbs/head/day across two feedings. Grain rations should be increased gradually over a 3-4 week period to allow rumen microbes to adapt to the higher starch levels.

When to Feed Grain to Beef Cattle

Grain rations are most beneficial during specific production phases:

• Backgrounding: Feed weaned calves grain-based rations for 30-90 days to prepare for the feedlot.
• Feedlot Finishing: Cattle consume high-grain rations for 120-300 days to promote fast gains and fat deposition.
• Late Gestation Cows: Thin cows receive 5-10 lbs of grain daily in the last 90 days of pregnancy to improve calving outcomes.
• Lactating Cows: Grain supplements during early lactation help maintain body condition. Feed 1 lb of grain per 3-5 lbs of milk produced.
• Replacement Heifers: Heifers benefit from 0.5-2% of their body weight in grain to reach adequate weight before first calving.

Grain Feeding Recommendations

Follow these guidelines to ensure healthy grain supplementation:

• Transition diets gradually over 2-3 weeks to avoid digestive upset.
• Limit grain to 0.5-1% of body weight daily (10-20 lbs for a 1,200 lb cow).
• Split grain feedings into two meals per day to prevent overconsumption.
• Provide at least 1 lb of roughage per 100 lbs of body weight to promote healthy digestion.
• Ensure free-choice salt and clean water are always available.
• Regularly test grain for nutrient levels to ensure a balanced ration.

Avoiding Potential Problems with Grain Feeding

Improper grain feeding can lead to health issues. Here’s how to avoid common problems:

Issue	Cause	Prevention
Acidosis	Excessive starch intake	Gradually introduce grain and include buffering agents like sodium bicarbonate.
Bloat	Large grain meals	Include ionophores like Rumensin, and avoid feeding too much alfalfa.
Liver Abscesses	Acidic rumen environment	Feed antibiotics or limit grain to 0.5-0.75% of body weight daily.
Polioencephalomalacia	Thiamine deficiency on high-grain diets	Ensure proper vitamin supplementation.
Laminitis	Carbohydrate overload	Transition grain gradually and provide a mix of fiber sources.

Conclusion

Grain rations can be a highly effective supplement in beef cattle diets, improving weight gain, meat quality, and overall profitability. However, careful management is essential to prevent health issues. Always introduce grain gradually, provide sufficient roughage, and work closely with a cattle nutritionist to develop the right ration for your herd.

By following these guidelines, beef producers can use grain to enhance cattle performance while maintaining animal health and welfare.