Edward starts to introduce creep feed to cattle at five months of age before weaning at eight months and then providing 4-5kg of ForFarmers Super Grower (per animal) through the creep feeder. Once heifers hit the 400kg mark, and steers 450-500 kg, the pellets are replaced with barley for final finishing.
“I used to just feed barley as soon as cattle were weaned, but found that whilst they appeared to be growing well, when weighed, they weren’t achieving good enough weight gains,” states Edward. “I started using the Super Grower about four years ago and have found they help cattle develop a strong, solid frame which fills out quickly as they mature – significantly increasing weight gains, reducing finishing times and improving overall efficiency. A recent group of cattle achieved an average DLWG of 1.13kg, with the best achieving 1.35kg.”
The enterprise at Besshill farm has been so successful that Edward was recently recognised as the Beef Farmer of the Year in this year’s South West Farmer awards.