1. Cattle Nutrition Ruminant Herbivores Calf- young animal Heifer- female calf that has not given birth and is less than 30 months old Cow- older than 30 months old, or has given birth Bull- intact male Steer- castrated male up to 4 years old Ox- castrated male, more than 4 years old
2. Dairy Cattle Main objective- increase dry matter intake to produce higher levels of milk production Key factors: energy, ration digestibility, rumen fill, palatability, body weight( BCS), environment, frequency of feeding and water
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5. What to feed in Phase 1 Increased grain for energy ( corn, wheat, soybeans) Protein supplementation to meet amino acid requirements ( dried brewers grain, distillers grain, corn gluten meal) Increased concentrates and fats to increase energy density of feed ( soybeans, sunflower seeds) Sodium bicarbonate “ buffer” to reduce acidosis and maintain ruminal ph
6. Phase 2 Begins 10 weeks post calving and can continue to 20th week Highest dry matter intake happens here Nutrient intake is finally in balance with nutrient needs
7. What to feed in Phase 2 Lower protein levels because requirement is met by supplementation in Phase 1 Adequate fiber Limited grain intake Frequent feeding ( minimizes digestive upset)
8. Phase 3 “late lactation period”, cow is pregnant again Nutrient intake exceeds requirement for production Main period for restoring body reserves for next lactation
9. What to feed in Phase 2 Easiest phase to manage because cow is pregnant and milk production is declining Increased amount of forage instead of concentrates Lower protein
10. Phase 4 Most of the “ dry” period Final regaining of any lost body weight happens here Goal is to get cow in good condition for parturition, but not excessively fat ( BCS of 3.5 out of 5.O scale)
11. What to feed in Phase 4 High protein, energy, Ca and P needs Combination of legume-grass hay and corn silage ( with added vitamins and P0 Long stem grass hay ( length of hay matters) Limit grain to energy and protein needs
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14. What to feed in Phase 5 Gradual increase in grains Small amounts of all ingredients used in the lactation ration Maybe decrease Ca in “ milk fever” prone cows
15. Beef Cattle Nutrition Most critical factor influencing performance of cattle on forage diet is the amount of Dry Matter Intake Young, growing grass and pasture crops usually have ample nutrients old pastures, crop residues and harvesting methods cause reduction in nutrients
16. Biological Cycle Goal: optimal nutrition at each stage, not maximum nutrition Cycle is made up of 4 periods that span 1 year: 3 trimesters and 1 postpartum period
17. First Trimester ( 95 days) Begins the 1st day of conception Nutrient needs are for maintenance and lactation if the cow has a calf with her Milk production is declining at this stage
18. Second Trimester ( 95 days) Calf is weaned, lactation requirements end Lowest nutrient requirements at this point Feed minimally Easiest and most economical time to increase a thin cows BCS
19. Third Trimester ( 95 days) Rapid fetal growth causes rapidly increasing nutrient needs Watch BCS carefully, cow gains 1 lb per day Too thin cows experience dystocias, weak calves and decreased milk production
20. Postpartum Period ( 80 days) High lactation requirements Feed intake is 35-50% higher than non-lactating cow Nutritional stress at this point causes problems during the cow’s next breeding ( usually 80 days post partum)
21. Energy Requirement Energy is considered first in balancing diet for beef cattle, it’s the largest portion of the ration Energy utilization determines cow’s ability to use other nutrients Good quality forage satisfies adult energy requirements Poor quality forages need to be supplemented with concentrates
22. Protein Requirements 50% of all protein and amino acid needs are met by microbial protein synthesis Protein deficiency is common when cows consume straw and low quality hay Urea is commonly used as a protein supplement
23. Beef Cattle, Water requirements Need abundant supply at once daily Range cows consume 2 ½ gallons daily in winter and up to 12 gallons per head in summer When salt is added, water need is increased Fresh succulent feeds or silage help reduce need
24. Beef Cattle mineral requirements Salt- need more when eating succulent forages than when eating drier forage Calcium- depends of Ca concentration in soil, higher needs in growing and lactating cows Phosphorus- Low P levels in roughage, so P is often offered free choice in a mineral mix Cobalt- required for rumen microorganisms to synthesize vitamin B 12
25. Minerals continued Copper- Simental and Charlois have a higher requirement than Angus Iodine- deficiencies in Northwest and Great Lakes area soil; supply via iodized salt
26. Beef Cattle Vitamin Requirements C, D, E, K and B complex- no need for supplementation; ruminalmicroflora synthesizes B complex and K, Vitamin C is synthesized in tissues, Sun dried forages contain lots of Vit D and E A- roughage and grains are low in Vit A, causing a deficiency. Cattle on pasture can store large amounts of Vit A for 2 months in liver, so deficiency isn’t immediately apparent. Look for signs of rough coat, diarrhea, excessive lacrimation
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28. Cow grazes 1 area for the entire season up to 1 year
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30. 1 pasture would not be grazed from spring to mid summer in order to allow desirable plants to flower and reach seed maturity
