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Nutritional Considerations for the Cow Herd

Nutritional Considerations for the Cow Herd. (based on calving season). What do they need? When do they need it?. Energy. Result of CHO and Lipid metabolism ( eg . Converting hay to VFA) Requires the majority of feed intake Most commonly deficient nutrient for the brood cow.

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Nutritional Considerations for the Cow Herd

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  1. Nutritional Considerations for the Cow Herd (based on calving season)

  2. What do they need? When do they need it?

  3. Energy • Result of CHO and Lipid metabolism (eg. Converting hay to VFA) • Requires the majority of feed intake • Most commonly deficient nutrient for the brood cow

  4. Estimated Net Energy Requirementsfor 2-, 3-, and 5-year old Cows Breeding Season Calving Wean Mcal/d Months Since Calving 1996 Beef NRC

  5. Protein • Cattle have 2 protein requirements • N needs of rumen bacteria • Amino acids of the animal • Degradable Intake Protein (DIP) • Breakdown in rumen and supply N to bacteria • Undegradable Intake Protein (UIP) • Escape rumen, digested in gut, supply AA

  6. Protein Needs for Cows 30 lb peak milk production

  7. Macro Salt (NaCl) Calcium (Ca) Phosphorous (P) Magnesium (Mg) Potassium (K) Sulfur (S) Micro Copper (Cu) Selenium (Se) Zinc (Zn) Manganese (Mn) Cobalt (Co) Iron (Fe) Chromium (Cr) Molybdenum (Mo) Iodine (I) Nickel (Ni) Macro & Micro Minerals

  8. Mineral Content of Forages • Grasses are low in P, Mg, Se, Cu, Zn, Mn and others • Grasses are high in Ca and K • Grains are low in Ca, K, and many TM

  9. Vitamins • Fat Soluble • A, D, E and K • Water Soluble • B complex and C • For the cow, A is the only vitamin deficient under normal circumstances

  10. Water • Factors affecting water intake • Temperature • Feed moisture • Body size • Production status

  11. Objective Meet the nutritional needs of the cow herd as economically as possible….

  12. …generally on fescue-based pasture systems which minimize the need for stored (hay, silage) or purchased (supplements) feeds.

  13. Critical Critical

  14. Goals(Spring Calving Cows) • Feed a least-cost, balanced ration • Have healthy, vigorous calves and a good milk supply • Cycle early and rebreed before extreme heat (in July)

  15. Requirements of Spring Calving Cows

  16. Fescue Production vs. Spring Calvers

  17. Goals(Fall Calving Cows) • Feed a least-cost, balanced ration • Rebreed in December/January • Extra feed for calves during February 15 to April 15 (creep graze or feed)

  18. Requirements of Fall Calving Cows

  19. Fescue Production vs. Fall Calvers

  20. How do you make up the deficiency from pastures?

  21. Quality of Hay High Low Classes of Cattle Young Calves Weaned Calves Replacements Yearlings Bred Heifers 2-year old Cows Lactating Cows Mature Cows, last 1/3 of gestation Mature Bulls Mature Pregnant Cows, first 2/3 of gestation Allocation of Hay to Various Classes of Cattle Based on Quality

  22. How much hay does a cow have to have daily?

  23. Or use your forage analysis to estimate dry matter intake…120 / NDF (%) = DMI (% BW)

  24. Approximate forage intake by beef cattle

  25. Find out how much hay the cow will consume and make up a deficiency with energy or protein supplement

  26. Balance the ration for needed nutrients

  27. Sort Cows and Increase Feed After Calving

  28. Energy Deficiencies Affect • Cow Rebreeding • Calf Health/Survival • Calf Growth Rate

  29. Timing of Deficiency Influences Effect • Pre-calving deficiency  days of post partum interval • Post-calving deficiency  % conception

  30. How do you monitor the nutrition adequacy of your feeding program?

  31. Beef Cattle Body Condition Scoring • Reflects adequacy of feeding program • BCS is a visual assessment of body fat • Scoring range of 1 to 9, 1=thin, 9=obese • A score = 4 to 5% empty body fat and 65 to 85 lbs of body weight

  32. Body Condition Score (BCS)in Beef Cows • Highly related to reproductive efficiency • Calving time BCS very important • Thin cows at calving have  days return to heat and  pregnancy rate

  33. Putting it all together

  34. Forage System 1 (Control)

  35. Forage System 2 (High) = creep gate

  36. Forage System 3 (Low) = creep gate

  37. Forage System 4 (High) = creep gate

  38. Forage System 5 (High) = creep feeder (soyhulls)

  39. Latest Research in Mineral Supplementation

  40. Parameter Evaluated Affects Animals Mineral Requirement Immunity > Fertility > Growth > Maintenance

  41. Factors influencing mineral intake from forage • Forage mineral content • Forage mineral availability • Antagonists • Dry matter intake

  42. Organic vs. Inorganic Minerals • Absorbed by a different system • Use in presence of antagonists • Better at immune stimulation

  43. Situation: Selenium (a trace mineral) is presently supplied as sodium selenite at 3X NRC recommended level, yet deficiencies seem to appear (impaired immunity, etc.) FDA max. daily allowable is 3mg/hd/da in supplement

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