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Beef Cow Nutrition

Beef Cow Nutrition. John B. Hall, Ph.D. Extension Beef Cattle Specialist VA Tech. Beef Cow Production Cycle. Calving. 50. 110. 82. 123. Influence of Pre- and Postpartum Nutrition on Reproduction in Cows. Pre-calving Physiological events. Rapid fetal growth Cows need to gain weight

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Beef Cow Nutrition

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  1. Beef Cow Nutrition John B. Hall, Ph.D. Extension Beef Cattle Specialist VA Tech

  2. Beef Cow Production Cycle Calving 50 110 82 123

  3. Influence of Pre- and Postpartum Nutrition on Reproduction in Cows

  4. Pre-calvingPhysiological events • Rapid fetal growth • Cows need to gain weight • Intake decreases • Prepare for lactation

  5. Pre-Calving Nutritional Needs • TDN = 12 lb./day • Protein = 1.7 lb./day • Calcium = 27 g/day • Phos.=21 g/day • Vitamin A = 27,000 IU/day

  6. Pre-CalvingType of feed • Forage needs to be good quality • Poor quality forages need supplement • Cold weather may require supplementing good forages • Good orchardgrass hay, fescue-clover hay, grass-alfalfa, corn silage, grazing-vegetative

  7. Heifers Must Calve in BCS 6 or Better

  8. Effects of Energy During Late Gestation on Calf Growth and Survival

  9. PostpartumPhysiological events • Lactation • Repair of reproductive tract • Start heat cycles • Maintain body weight (grow) • Increase activity

  10. PostpartumNutritional needs • TDN = 15 lb./day (25% increase) • Protein = 2.4 lb./day (41% increase) • Calcium = 33 g/day • Phos. = 27 g/day • Vitamin A= 40,000 IU/day (48% increase)

  11. PostpartumFeed needs • Highest energy, highest protein forage available • Low quality forages require grain supplement • 1st calf heifers need grain • good alfalfa/grass mix, alfalfa hay, grass hay and supplement, excellent pasture

  12. Pregnancy Rates as Affected by Nutrition in Postpartum Cows Selk et al., 1988

  13. Lactating and PregnantPhysiological events • Lactation - peaks then decreases • Pregnant - little fetal growth • Maintain or lose less than 5% weight • Activity still high • Continued growth in 2 and 3yr olds

  14. Lactating and PregnantNutritional needs • TDN = 13 lb./day (13% decrease) • Protein = 2.2 lb./day (8 % decrease) • Calcium = 30 g/day • Phos. = 23 g/day • Vitamin A = 37,000 IU/day

  15. Lactating and PregnantFeed needs • Good to average quality forage • Abundant forage • Poor quality forages should be supplemented (cow) • High quality grazing, alfalfa-grass hay, silage, hay-corn-litter

  16. GestationPhysiological events • Pregnant - slow fetal growth • Increase body condition if needed • replacement and 1st calf heifers growing at 1 to 1.5 lb. per day

  17. GestationNutritional needs • TDN = 10 lb./day (23% decrease) • Protein = 1.4 lb./day (36% decrease) • Calcium =18 g/day • Phos. = 18 g/day • Vitamin A = 25,000 IU/day (32% decrease

  18. GestationFeed needs • Poorest quality feed can be used • Good quality feeds can be limit fed • Supplementation is rarely needed • Overmature hay, poor quality alfalfa, stockpiled grazing

  19. Stage of Forage Maturity Vs Cow Needs

  20. Forage growth vs. Cow needs

  21. Forage growth vs. Cow needs

  22. Forage growth vs. Cow needs

  23. Forage growth vs. Cow needs

  24. Milk vs. Growth • Peak lactation occurs at ~ 8 weeks • By 5 months of age milk supplies less than 30 % of the needed nutrients for the calf

  25. Some Diets for Late Pregnant Cows

  26. Some Diets for Late Pregnant Cows

  27. Stockpiled Fescue • Graze off field • 80 units of N - Aug. • Don’t graze ‘til after frost • Grazing from Nov-Feb • High quality - • 60+ % TDN • 10 - 12 % CP • Low Cost - High Value • Use strip grazing

  28. Energy Value of Stockpiled Grasses

  29. Protein Content of Stockpiled Grasses

  30. Some Diets for Lactating Cows

  31. Some Diets for Lactating Cows

  32. Energy Value of Manufactured Feeds TDN = 84 - (% CF - 1) * 1.5 Feed is 11 CF (max) TDN = 84 - (11 - 1) * 1.5 = 84 - (10)*1.5 = 84 - 15 = 69 % TDN as fed 69% / .90 = 76.6 % TDN

  33. Replacement Heifers • Need to grow at 1.25-1.75 lbs / day • Target Weight • 60-65% of mature weight (British) • 65-70% of mature weight (exotic) • Protein requirement may depend on muscling of heifer Dietary requirements 65% TDN, 11-12% CP

  34. Using Target Weight to Plan a Feeding Program Weaned 500 lb. heifer on October 15 Breeding on May 15 780 lb.-500 lb. = 280 lb. 280 lb./211 days = 1.31 lb./day

  35. Impact of Ionophores on Replacement Heifers • Increased growth rate and body weight • Earlier puberty • Improve pregnancy rates • May have extra rumenal effect as well

  36. Deficient Copper Selenium Sodium Zinc Marginal Calcium Phosphorus Magnesium Iodine Deficient Minerals In VA

  37. Minerals supplement - Commercial

  38. Mineral Supplements - Commercial

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