Build Your Future!In modern cattle management, precision nutrition has become a key factor in improving production efficiency and economic returns. Cattle at different growth stages and with different production goals have distinct nutritional requirements: calves require support for digestive system development, fattening cattle focus on rapid weight gain, while lactating cows need stable milk yield and composition.
Complete Cattle Feed Processing Guide
This article will comprehensively analyze how to achieve precision nutrition for different cattle herds—from feed formulation, cattle feed production processes, to processing equipment selection—helping readers who intend to set up a feed factory or purchase a cattle feed machine to grasp critical investment points.
Feed Production Strategies for Different Cattle Herds (Formulation and Precision Nutrition)
I. Precision Nutrition and Feed Formulation for Calves
Calves are young cattle from birth until weaning, typically 3–6 months old. During this stage, their digestive system is not fully developed, and immunity is weak, making management crucial for later growth and health.
- Neonatal period (1–5 days after birth): Calves rely primarily on colostrum, which contains 4 times more protein than regular milk and 10 times more albumin and globulin. Timely intake of colostrum within 2 hours after birth can enhance immunity and promote organ development.
- During the nursing period (1 week–3 months), gradually introduce plant-based feed and high-quality hay to promote rumen and digestive gland development. When supplementing with concentrates, ensure sufficient nutrition for rapid growth while avoiding excess that may impair stomach development.
Reference Calf Mixed Feed Formulation:
| Ingredient | Proportion |
|---|---|
| Corn | 35% |
| Soybean Meal | 35% |
| Wheat Bran | 27% |
| Bone Meal | 1% |
| Salt | 1% |
| Additives | 1% |
II. Nutritional Enhancement for Fattening / Growing Cattle
Post-weaning, growing cattle gradually develop digestive functions but still require high-quality roughage and a proper concentrate ratio to support rapid weight gain. Daily rations are based on green roughage, with supplementation of quality hay or silage during dry seasons, combined with mixed concentrates. Reference formulation:
| Ingredient | Proportion |
|---|---|
| Corn | 62% |
| Bran | 15% |
| Oilseed Meal | 20% |
| Bone Meal | 2% |
| Salt | 1% |
Daily weight gain should be maintained at ≥0.4 kg to ensure future reproductive performance. Minerals and trace elements are crucial for bone development, with proper calcium-to-phosphorus ratios and moderate trace element supplementation. When replacing roughage with silage, pay attention to moisture content: 80% moisture allows a 4.5:1 replacement ratio, 70% moisture allows 3:1. Excessive substitution may limit stomach capacity and growth. After 12 months, as the digestive system matures, additional concentrate can be fed according to roughage quality, about 1–3 kg per head.
III. Precision Feeding Strategies for Cows at Different Stages
Cow feed management should be tailored to physiological stages. Precision nutrition can improve conception rates, milk yield, and overall health.
- Dry cows: The goal is to maintain moderate to good body condition, avoiding being too thin or overweight. Excess concentrate combined with insufficient exercise may lead to obesity, affecting estrus; underweight cows should receive nutritional supplementation 1–2 months before breeding to improve conception rates. Special attention is needed during winter and spring to ensure energy and health.
- Pregnant cows: Reference formulation: corn 52%, bran 23%, soybean meal 20%, baking soda 1%, premix 4%. After the third month of gestation, feed a soaked mixture of soybean 40%, corn 30%, barley 20%, and wheat 10%. Nutritional supply should be enhanced in the mid to late stages, especially in the last 2–3 months, with a focus on roughage supplemented with concentrates, emphasizing protein, minerals, and vitamins while preventing excessive fat to reduce calving difficulty.
- Lactating cows: Divided into early lactation (10–15 days postpartum), peak lactation (16 days–3 months), mid-lactation (4–5 months postpartum), and late lactation (1 month before drying). The concentrate-to-roughage ratio should be adjusted according to stage: peak 50:50, mid 40:60, late 30:70. Early lactation focuses on easily digestible hay and concentrates, gradually transitioning to more succulent feed combined with concentrates to ensure milk yield and quality.
If you wish to obtain customized livestock feed formulation, please provide the following information when contacting us so we can design the most suitable solution:
- Cattle herd type and quantity (calves, fattening cattle, lactating cows, etc.)
- Growth stage or lactation stage of the herd
- Available roughage and concentrate types and supply
- Farm location, climate, and seasonal conditions
- Target weight gain or milk production goals
Impact of Feed Pellet and Extrusion Processing on Digestion and Nutrient Absorption
The physical form of feed directly affects intake, digestion efficiency, and nutrient absorption in cattle. Compared with traditional mixed feed, pellet and extruded feed offer higher uniformity and palatability while reducing raw material waste. Through pelletizing and extrusion, feed density increases, anti-mold properties improve, and rumen digestion efficiency of roughage and concentrate mixtures is enhanced.
Animal Feed Extruder Machine at Factory Price
Cattle Feed Pellet Processing and Machinery
Pellet feed processing mainly relies on high-pressure compaction of raw materials. Pellet diameter should matched to herd: Calves: 2–3 mm; Fattening cattle: 3–5 mm; Dairy cows: 4–6 mm.
Raw material grinding → formulation mixing → conditioning (heating and moistening) → pelletizing → cooling → sieving and packaging
Cattle Feed Extrusion Processing
Extrusion feed processing involves high-temperature and high-pressure treatment to expand raw materials and partially gelatinize proteins, commonly used for high-energy concentrate feeds, especially suitable for dairy and fattening cattle requiring high digestibility.
Raw material grinding and formulation → extrusion → cooling and drying → sieving and packaging
Contact us for a customized cattle feed production solution: Please provide target herd type, daily ration formulation, raw material types and moisture, expected daily output, and pellet specifications. We will design the most suitable cattle feed pellet/extrusion process and equipment configuration, ensuring precise nutrition and efficient production.
