Supplements in Cattle and Fequency
Hi, This is Lorrie Boyer, Farm News Director for KSIR. Chris Shelley, Yuma County Extension Agent and Livestock Specialist recently spoke about supplements in cattle with me during one of my interviews.The first thing he says that producers need to do is to identify nutritional needs of cattle. Once a producer does that, then they can formulate the appropriate ration to meet the requirements of the animal. The needs of cattle will depend on age of cattle, male or female what stage of production they are in. At this time of the year, most animals are feeding on dormant range land, like grain stalks. Questions to ask is there enough to eat, is it high protein, its it limited in quantity and is it low quality? This will help dictate what you do next, according to Shelley. For low quality forage, protein supplements will be needed, especially pregnant cows. He says that 7-percent crude protein in the diet for pregnant cows is ideal for this time of the year. If lower, it is OK, as ...