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 many cows will select this own diet unless it is monoculture. In other words, cows will do a better job getting protein that the one or two clippings that you take.
If it is determined that protein is needed, then how often do you feed it? Shelley says that cows are good at nitrogen recycling. They can hold on nitrogen to process the food efficiently. He says that protein supplements are not needed daily, it can be done every other day or even three days a week. However, they do need the same amount of protein, it is is just less frequency in feeding it. This can lead to up to a 60-percent reduction in feed costs due to less truck usage and fuel and labor costs.
In addition, if there is not enough grass, energy will need to be supplemented, which has to be done on a daily basis. Energy cannot be recycled like nitrogen. Conception rates and average daily gains can actually be reduced if not done daily.
He advises producers call their local CSU extension office and/or a bovine dietitian to help identify the cattle herd needs and then develop rations and supplement strategies that are most cost efficient and productive for them.
Chris Shelley
970-332-4151
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 many cows will select this own diet unless it is monoculture. In other words, cows will do a better job getting protein that the one or two clippings that you take.
If it is determined that protein is needed, then how often do you feed it? Shelley says that cows are good at nitrogen recycling. They can hold on nitrogen to process the food efficiently. He says that protein supplements are not needed daily, it can be done every other day or even three days a week. However, they do need the same amount of protein, it is is just less frequency in feeding it. This can lead to up to a 60-percent reduction in feed costs due to less truck usage and fuel and labor costs.
In addition, if there is not enough grass, energy will need to be supplemented, which has to be done on a daily basis. Energy cannot be recycled like nitrogen. Conception rates and average daily gains can actually be reduced if not done daily.
He advises producers call their local CSU extension office and/or a bovine dietitian to help identify the cattle herd needs and then develop rations and supplement strategies that are most cost efficient and productive for them.
Chris Shelley
970-332-4151
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