Evolution HI-PRO
19% protein textured base feed for growing show lambs needing muscle mass and shape — medicated Lasalocid 25 g/ton; fishmeal; roasted soybeans; DDGS; ammonium chloride; fed continuously as sole ration
Always read and follow product labels for feeding and sheep safety.
Overview
Evolution HI-PRO is the muscle-building base feed in Evolution’s two-feed show lamb system. At 19% protein with fishmeal, roasted soybeans, and dried distillers grain solubles (DDGS), it’s positioned for growing lambs that need to add muscle mass, shape, and structure during the show program. The fishmeal provides high-quality bypass protein and essential amino acids; the DDGS adds degradable protein and fat. Medicated with Lasalocid (Bovatec) 25 g/ton — an ionophore that is approved and safe for sheep at labeled rates. Ammonium chloride included for urinary calculi prevention. Fed continuously as sole ration alongside free-choice salt and water.
Manufacturer Specifications
Guaranteed Analysis
| Nutrient | Level |
|---|---|
| Crude Protein (min) | 19% |
| Crude Fat (min) | 3% |
| Crude Fiber (max) | 8% |
| NPN (as equivalent crude protein) | 0.70% max |
| Copper | Not confirmed |
Key Ingredients / Active Components
- Corn — primary energy source
- Soybean hulls — digestible fiber buffer
- Wheat middlings — energy
- Soybean meal — protein
- Barley — complex carbohydrates
- Roasted soybeans — fat and bypass protein
- Dried distillers grain solubles (DDGS) — protein, fat, and yeast cultures
- Molasses products — palatability
- Fishmeal — high-quality bypass protein; essential amino acids
- Ammonium chloride — urinary calculi prevention (male lambs)
- Mineral and vitamin supplements
- Lasalocid (Bovatec) 25 g/ton — ionophore coccidiostat
Official Feeding Rate
- Rate: Feed continuously as the sole ration
- Introduction: Post-weaning for lambs needing muscle mass and shape
- Species notes: Show lambs; no specific per-pound rate listed
Show Circuit Use
Sources: belstramilling.com
How Experienced Feeders Actually Use It
Evolution is a newer brand (2022) with primary distribution in the Midwest/Indiana. Circuit-specific feeder data is limited. HI-PRO occupies the standard “muscle/growing” position in a two-feed show system: reach for it when a lamb is lean, needs to fill out, or is in the early-to-mid growth phase where muscle development is the priority. Feeders familiar with other high-protein show feeds (e.g., Show-Rite’s 19% protein feeds, Kalmbach HI-PRO-style feeds) would use it the same way.
Real-World Feeding Rate
- Typical rate: Ad libitum (free-choice) as sole ration; adjust based on lamb condition
- Introduction timeline: After weaning; can run from project start through final prep depending on lamb type
Common Deviations from Label
No deviations found. Ad-lib feeding is standard for base feeds of this type.
Breed-Specific Notes
No breed-specific notes found. The muscle/shape positioning suggests best use on frame-forward or lean breeds that need mass — Suffolk, Club Lamb crosses.
Phase Protocols
Weeks 12–9 | Foundation Phase
Start HI-PRO post-weaning when early muscle development is the priority. Fishmeal and roasted soybean amino acid profile supports structural growth.
Weeks 8–6 | Condition Building Phase
Continue if the lamb still needs mass and muscle. If the lamb has achieved target muscle and is becoming over-conditioned, consider transitioning to LO-PRO.
Weeks 5–3 | Fill & Shaping Phase
Evaluate lamb condition. Feeders may continue HI-PRO or switch to LO-PRO depending on whether cover or muscle is still needed. No Evolution-specific supplement exists for sheep, so third-party fill/bloom supplements would be stacked here if needed.
Weeks 2–1 | Final Prep Phase
Hold or transition to LO-PRO if fat cover needs to be tightened for the ring.
Stacking Protocols
No dedicated Evolution lamb supplements exist. To add bloom, fill, coat quality, or energy on top of HI-PRO, stack with products from other brands (Show-Rite, Sunglo, Kent, Kalmbach, etc.).
Do not feed alongside Evolution Revolt or Evolution Prime — both contain monensin, which is lethal to sheep.
Cross-Brand Notes
Comparable muscle/protein base feeds:
- Kalmbach Power Takeoff — 18% protein, Deccox 45.4 g/ton; fishmeal + roasted soybeans; similar positioning
- Show-Rite Lamb 19 DQ — 19% protein, Deccox; established competitor
- MoorMan’s ShowTec 18 Elite Lamb — 18% protein, Bovatec or Deccox SKUs; molybdate for copper binding
HI-PRO’s Lasalocid-based medicated status vs. Deccox in most competing feeds is the key differentiation — note for content on program switching or feed transitions.
Budget Alternatives
- Commodity mix (cracked corn + soybean meal + fishmeal) — achieves similar protein/energy without Lasalocid, mineral stack, or Belstra’s formulation consistency
Community Tips
Reserved for verified community submissions — do not populate during initial documentation.
Avoid Combining With
- Evolution Revolt
- Evolution Prime
Direct Substitutes
Products that do the same job at the same point in the program — compare alternatives across brands in the directory.
| Product | Brand | Form | Budget | Feeding Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Umbarger Lamb 19% | Umbarger Show Feeds | Textured | Mid-Range | 3% body weight/day – 4% body weight/day |
| Apex Show Lamb Enhancer | Hi-Pro Feeds | Pellet | Mid-Range | — |
| Honor Show Showlamb Grower 15% DX | Purina Animal Nutrition | Textured | Mid-Range | 2.5% body weight/day – 4% body weight/day |
| MoorMan's® ShowTec® UpNext™ Lamb 16 BT | MoorMan's ShowTec | Textured | Mid-Range | 1 lb/head/day – 4.67 lbs/head/day |
| Show Lamb Gale Force HE 18DQ | Kent Feeds | Textured | Mid-Range | 0.25 lb per 10 lb body weight daily |
| 16% Sheep and Goat Pellet | Hi-Pro Feeds | Pellet | Budget | 3.0–4.0% of body weight |