PX Feeders,LLC
What is GrowSafe?
GrowSafe is a platform that measures and records the feed efficiency in cattle. By measuring individual animal gain and market value, it allows our customers to maximize profit. The high tech system calculates the amount of residual feed intake by each animal, sends the data to the home base, and generates organized charts and graphs. We can then analyze the information to better comprehend the efficiency of cattle and their overall health. By being able to examine our cattle’s feed efficiency, we can run more cattle on less land.
How does GrowSafe Work?
Upon delivery your cattle will be placed in a warmup pen for 30 days. These pens do not have GrowSafe technology in them. They are strictly for allowing your cattle to adjust to our feed ration and the new environment. After the 30-day warmup period, they then start the 60 day GrowSafe test. This test is divided up into two main segments: a 10-day warmup period in the GrowSafe pens and a 50 day data collection period. The crucial 10 day warm up period allows the cattle to adjust to the new feed and water bunks, without it affecting test data. Essentially, this is where they become “bunk broke.” The next 50 days will be used to collect actual data. During these periods, the cattle will be fed unlimited feed. They will have feed in the bunks 24/7. The GrowSafe feed and water bunks send the data directly to GrowSafe in Canada. This ensures secure, raw data. At the end of the test, the animals will be ultrasound. Next, they go through a 30 day “recovery” period. They will be taken out of the GrowSafe pens and placed in regular pens, where they will have a set amount of feed.
Does my animal qualify for the test?
The two main requirements for the test are weight and age, ranking in that order. Within each pen, the cattle must be within 300 pounds of each other. Age is also a factor. They must be between 9-18 months old. In the pens, they are grouped within 90-day birth windows, meaning they are all born within 90 days of each other. If all the animals are not within 90 days of each other, they can still be tested together, but they will not compete against each other. They will only compete against other cattle that are within 300 pounds of then and were born within 90 days of their birthday. We require cattle to have been weaned for a minimum of 45 days prior to arrival. This requirement results in a smoother transition for the cattle and a more accurate test. An additional requirement we have is that they have a minimum of 1 round of vaccines. We greatly prefer 2 rounds. Regardless, your cattle will be revaccinated upon arrival, for the safety of your cattle and others.
You will receive data at two separate times: mid test and end test. This data will include residual feed intake, average daily gain, scrotal/pelvic measurements, hip height, hip height, ultrasound data, and performance index.
