Livestock Weight
Every market show animal has an endpoint. That is true, no matter where you live, the time of year your county or state fair is, or what show you are ultimately feeding for. If you have an animal on feed for an early August fair, that’s your endpoint. Perhaps you are feeding a project for a winter show; your feeding schedule and regimen appear a little different. Managing show livestock weight doesn’t have to be a challenge, but it is essential to keep it top of mind.
At Sure Champ®, maker of a line of products that support the health and well-being of show livestock, we know that weight gain and performance are directly correlated to animal health. A healthy, happy animal has a functioning immune response.
How to Reach Your Target Show Livestock Weight
With careful planning, diet, and exercise, you can effectively and successfully manage show livestock weight to their ideal target weight. Follow these 3 steps.
1. Determine your Endpoint
When purchasing specific animals, determine which show you are feeding them for. Are they a short-term project? Or are they with you for the long haul? Once you know when you want them to be dialed in for their final show, determine how many days on feed they have between right now and that show. That way, you know how many days you have them to feed.
2. Take an Initial Weight
Weigh your project animal within the first week or two of it arriving in your barn. Then, familiarize yourself with your target show’s rules to know the show’s minimum and maximum livestock weights. This will help you determine just how many pounds of gain you have until the final endpoint, and help you calculate your ideal average daily gain
3. Weigh Weekly
Determine a weekly weigh day and stay consistent. Weigh-day Wednesday is a good way to remember it’s time to weigh. Whichever day you select, do it at the same time and way each week. If you weigh empty initially, keep weighing empty. If you weigh full, then weigh full. If you weigh in before school, consistently weigh in the morning. Consistency is key and record those livestock weights so you can tell if the project is gaining consistently.
Following these three steps and providing a complete show feed regimen based on the number of days remaining should help enable your livestock project to reach its target weight by show day.
Other Considerations
Targeting
Perhaps you have an animal that will present itself more ideally at a lower weight than is considered ideal. You will want to “target” that animal to weigh that ideal livestock weight. This might take some additional management, but you will likely be pleased with the animal’s outcome. The main priority is keeping your animal fresh and acquiring appropriate mass, shape, and center, while maintaining a good skeleton, joints, and comfort
Holding an Animal
Conversely, there are times when you must hold an animal that is gaining too big too fast. If you have planned accordingly, you know what the expected average daily gain should be for your show date, and you can control the feed intake accordingly. It is easier to start holding an animal in the first half of the feeding phase than the second part of the feeding phase, and it keeps them fresher appearing.
The Final Push
You will want your animal to go into the show with the freshest look possible. Typically, the last 21 to 30 days are a good time to increase energy and protein to achieve the look you want. Regardless of if you are in the final push or any other phase of feeding a show animal, hydration is key. If you animals don’t drink, they probably are not eating either.
Sure Champ Can Help!
The key to getting your animals to the proper weight by show day – having healthy animals that will eat and drink. That is how Sure Champ can help. Sure Champ offers multiple daily supplements to stimulate appetite as well as rapid-response products to help your animals during stressful situations.;
Sure Champ products are easy to feed and are palatable for the animals. Most of all, we know that appetite and hydration work synergistically, and the Amaferm helps drive both feed and water intake.
Sure Champ Products for Cattle
Of course, 40 years ago, cattle were the primary show species, so our flagship product is one specifically for cattle – Sure Champ® Cattle. We have two other products specifically for cattle. Let’s explore.
Sure Champ® Cattle
Sure Champ Cattle is a pelleted supplement with protein, vitamins and minerals for show cattle to support performance. It contains Amaferm, stimulates consistent appetite and ensures that cattle receive the vitamins and minerals they need to succeed.
Sure Champ® Cattle Drench
Sure Champ Cattle Drench, known as “the green stuff” upports digestive health before, during and after challenges. This drench contains enzymes that generate a more rapid digestive response. It also contains Amaferm and MOS (mannan oligosaccharides), which lp maintain appetite and create bloom while at the show.
Sure Champ® Ration Builder
Sure Champ Ration Builder is a pelleted base mix for cattle with 32% protein, Amaferm, vitamins and minerals for diet fortification. It is customizable to build complete creep, growing and finishing rations by adjusting inclusion rates and supports optimal animal performance during all stages of life.
Show Animal Supplements for all Species
The rest of the Sure Champ products are designed to work across cattle, sheep, goats and swine. Liquid Boost is also labeled for poultry and rabbits.
All of these, except Sure Champ® Joint Juice, contain Amaferm.
Sure Champ® Extreme with ClariFly®
Sure Champ Extreme with ClariFly is a daily supplement for show livestock with ClariFly for use in extreme heat – when temperatures are above 70 degrees. Designed for all species, it contains Amaferm and MOS, which encourages appetite and water intake while also supporting the immune system.
It also contains HEAT technology, a combination of essential oils and garlic, and ClariFly to support animals when heat and insects are a challenge.
Sure Champ® Liquid Boost®
Sure Champ Liquid Boost provides immediate support to the animal’s digestive and immune systems. Formerly known as Vita Charge Liquid Boost, this fruit punch flavored product, drives feed and water intake. It’s a must-have for the barn and the show box.
Sure Champ® Appetite Plus Gel
Sure Champ Appetite Plus Gel provides immediate support to the animal’s digestive and immune systems. Formerly known as Vita Charge Gel, it works fast to encourage animals to eat and drink.
Sure Champ® Climate Control Gel
Sure Champ Climate Control Gel supports digestive health and recovery when temperatures are above 70 degrees. Formerly known as Vita Charge Climate Control, this gel contains Amaferm and HEAT® technology, a combination of essential oils, to support animals when heat is a challenge. It promotes feed and water intake.
Sure Champ® Clench Gel
Sure Champ Clench Gel supports normal digestive function during occasional diarrhea or scours. Formerly known as Vita Charge Clench Gel, it includes Amaferm and MOS, and it contains electrolytes to support rehydration.
Sure Champ® Joint Juice
Sure Champ Joint Juice supports using joint health patented technology. Joint Juice contains MHB3®, a patented high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid. It lubricates joints and supports mobility and soundness, crucial to today’s stock show success.
The Final Word
Managing livestock weight to your target endpoint is not an easy task. However, most things in life worth having take more than a little effort. With proper planning, knowing how many days you have to feed and weekly weight monitoring, you can have your livestock project dialed in to its ideal weight by show day.
Keep in mind, a healthy animal is hydrated, is housed in a clean environment and fed twice daily about 12 hours apart, on a regular schedule. Add in the appropriate Sure Champ products, and you’re on your way to a successful project!
Get your Sure Champ Today
Show animal supplements are easier to purchase than ever. But that doesn’t mean you need to use every one of them! Find the difference in the Sure Champ brand, research-proven for 40 years to help increase gut health, increase appetite, help alleviate stress and much more. We hope that part of the equation for success will include Sure Champ products.
You can get your Sure Champ products as easily as ordering online today.
Do you prefer to support a local Sure Champ dealer? Find a dealer near you to find all your favorite Sure Champ and other BioZyme products.
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