Good Diet Techniques for Beef Cows
On this Page
- Fundamental Points
- The Ruminant Digestive System
- Key Nutrients Required by Cattle
- Energy
- Protein
- Water
- Minerals
- Common salt
- Vitamins
- Feed Sources and Quality - Impact on Diet
- Factors Affecting Nutrient Requirements
- Determination
- Definitions
Key Points
- Gradual diet changes (over ii to iii weeks) are necessary to allow the rumen microbial population to arrange to changes in the diet
- Young, actively growing forages and legume blends can often see the nutritional requirements for normal growth and maintenance of cattle herds. Mature pastures, crop residues, or other low-quality forages may take reduced nutritive value, requiring supplementation of poly peptide, energy or additional vitamins and minerals to maintain optimal health
- Energy is necessary for maintenance (feed digestion, cadre body functions, and action requirements) and to back up growth, lactation and reproduction. Information technology accounts for the largest proportion of feed costs and is the nutrient required by cattle in the largest amount
- Neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) are indicators of the amount of fibre in a provender. Higher values signal poorer digestibility and voluntary intake may be reduced
- Protein is required for maintenance, growth, lactation and reproduction. It is a component of muscles, the nervous system and connective tissue
- Water is an essential nutrient for cattle, bookkeeping for between 50 and eighty % of an brute's live weight. Insufficient water intake reduces creature performance faster and more dramatically than any other nutrient deficiency
- At to the lowest degree seventeen minerals are required by beef cattle and are divided into ii groups: macrominerals and microminerals
- Although minerals are required in small amounts for optimum beef cattle health, a deficiency can crusade significant reductions in growth, immune function and reproduction
- Mineral needs volition vary between herds based on many factors, including water and feed sources, stress, fauna blazon and stage of production. In that location is no "one size fits all" mineral type or program
- Mineral toxicity may be indicated by decreased animal performance, anorexia, weight loss and diarrhea
- Vitamins back up many vital metabolic processes in cattle
- Forage is an economical source of nutrients; however, feed quality and mineral content can vary widely, so feed testing and appropriate supplementation may be necessary to meet nutritional requirements
- Most forage species have the highest quality at the vegetative stage, when leaves are lush and green, and stems are immature and supple. At this stage, these forages may be able to supply most of the nutrition that the cattle require
- Knowledge of fodder quality and beast requirements is necessary to formulate rations that will support and maintain a loftier plane of nutrition
- Nutritional requirements of beef cattle are influenced by the stage of production
The Ruminant Digestive Organisation
Ruminant animals take a circuitous digestive system with a four-chambered stomach. Each chamber (reticulum, rumen, omasum and abomasum) plays a function in digesting livestock feeds. Microorganisms colonize the reticulum and rumen (often collectively termed the reticulo-rumen) and allow cattle to assimilate feedstuffs high in fibre, such as grasses, straw and other forages. Balancing the requirements of the rumen microorganisms and the animal is essential for animal performance.
Cattle take large bites of feed and swallow with little chewing. Afterwards, they regurgitate masses of feed back up the esophagus and into their mouths, where it is chewed into smaller pieces and swallowed. This process is known as rumination or chewing cud. Between 60 to 70% of digestion occurs in the reticulo-rumen, which acts similar a fermentation vat where bacteria and protozoa convert most of the plant fibre and carbohydrates to acerb, propionic or butyric acid (brusque chain fatty acids) and convert much of the ingested poly peptide to microbial protein. The short chain fatty acids are absorbed through the reticulo-rumen wall and are used equally energy in body tissues. Some of the carbohydrate, starch and pectin may pass through the rumen and are then digested in the abomasum and pocket-sized intestine.
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Microbes in the rumen crave an anaerobic (oxygen costless) environment with a slightly acidic pH range (6.5 - 7.0), a supply of protein (or non-protein nitrogen) and carbohydrates to feed the microbial population2. The type of feed influences growth of the bacteria. Different rumen microbes prefer different types of carbohydrates (starch, cellulose, hemicellulose, starch, and pectin) and will increase or decrease in number depending upon the ratio of different carbohydrates within the diet. Because the various bacteria and protozoa digest cellulose, hemicellulose and starch differently, sudden changes to cattle diets can bear upon rumen activity. For example, a rapid change to a high energy diet with more grain tin issue in digestive disorders such as bloat and acidosis. Long periods of acidosis tin also damage the rumen wall, potentially allowing bacteria to colonize the liver, causing abscessesthree. For these reasons, gradual changes (over two to three weeks) are necessary to let the rumen microbial population to adjust to changes in the diet. Nutrients that are not used for the microbes' growth pass out of the reticulo-rumen to supply nutrients for the animal's growth and reproduction.
Primal Nutrients Required by Cattle
Young, actively growing forages and legume blends tin ofttimes meet the nutritional requirements for normal growth and maintenance of cattle herds. Mature pastures, crop residues, or other depression-quality forages may accept reduced nutritive value, requiring supplementation of protein, energy or additional vitamins and minerals to maintain optimal wellness. Certain nutrients are required in the daily ration, while others can be manufactured and stored in the body.
Cattle crave five primal nutrients:
- free energy
- protein
- water
- minerals
- vitamins
Energy
Free energy is necessary for maintenance (feed digestion, core torso functions, and activeness requirements) and to back up growth, lactation, and reproductionone. It accounts for the largest proportion of feed costs and is the nutrient required by cattle in the largest corporeality. The components of feed that decide its free energy content include carbohydrates, fats and proteins. On a feed examination, energy content is usually expressed equally full digestible nutrients (TDN); however, more precise terms such every bit metabolizable energy (ME) or net energy (NE) for maintenance (NEthou) or production (NEm) may be preferred by nutritionists. These terms better reflect the corporeality of free energy from feed that contributes to animal productivity. Energy deficiency acquired past low intake or poor feed quality volition limit growth, subtract milk production, reduce torso condition, and (depending on timing and duration) may accept negative consequences for reproduction.
Gross energy (GE) is the total corporeality of energy in the feed. But non all this energy is available to the animal. Feed energy is lost every bit it passes through the animal and is excreted as feces, urine, diverse gases, and heat. These losses are a normal consequence of feed digestion and the corporeality of energy lost at each step differs based on the quality of the feed. Digestible energy (DE) provides an indication of the portion of energy that the animate being can digest, with the aid of the rumen microbes. Metabolizable energy (ME) is the amount of energy bachelor to the fauna for metabolism and body functions subsequently losses in free energy from rumen fermentation (carbon dioxide, methane) and urine accept been deemed for. Net energy (NE) is the amount that is bachelor to the animal to maintain itself, grow, produce milk and reproduce.
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Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF, %) indicates the amount of fibre content in the constitute. Loftier levels of NDF (above 70%) will restrict brute intake. More mature forages volition have higher NDF levels.
Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF, %) measures the least digestible portions of the fodder plants, such as cellulose and lignin. Loftier ADF indicates poor digestibility of the feed. High quality legumes mostly have ADF values betwixt 20-35%, while grasses can range from 30-45%.
Neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) are indicators of the amount of fibre in a forage. Higher values point poorer digestibility and voluntary intake may be reduced.
NDF is a measure of the "bulkiness" of the nutrition and is mainly hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin merely due to limitations in the assay information technology besides includes a portion of the protein and insoluble ash in the constitute. When NDF increases, animals eat less. ADF measures cellulose and lignin and is an indication of digestibility and free energy intake. When plants mature, lignin content increases, resulting in college ADF and reduced digestibility. Feeds high in ADF are less digestible than those loftier in starches and sugars. The starches and sugars in feed are classified as non-structural carbohydrates (NSC). Even in forages, NSC are an of import source of energy.
Poly peptide
Protein is required for maintenance, growth, lactation and reproduction. It is a component of muscles, the nervous system and connective tissueone . Protein requirements depend on cattle age, growth charge per unit, pregnancy and lactation condition. Young, growing cattle, too as those in tardily pregnancy or lactation, accept increased protein requirements.
Most protein that ruminants ingest is broken down by the rumen microorganisms and resynthesized as microbial protein. Forages contain rough protein (CP) in two forms. The greatest portion of protein in forage is referred to as truthful protein, just forages also contain low amounts of not-poly peptide nitrogen (NPN), which rumen microbes can utilise to synthesize microbial protein.
True poly peptide in forages tin can be further classified as rumen undegradable poly peptide (RUP or rumen featherbed protein) and rumen degradable protein (RDP). RUP are peptides and amino acids that are digested in the abomasum and absorbed in the small intestine, while RDP is degraded or broken downward past the microbial population in the rumen into ammonia and volatile fatty acids. Microorganisms in the rumen combine the ammonia supplied by RDP or other non-protein nitrogen sources (e.g. urea) with rumen digestible carbohydrates to synthesize microbial crude protein (MCP). MCP is digested in the abomasum, with the resultant amino acids captivated in the small intestine. The amount of protein that reaches the small intestine depends upon the availability of RDP and the rumen digestible carbohydrate. If energy is deficient in the diet, surplus ammonia is converted to urea in the liver and and then lost through urine. If protein is scarce in the diet, digestibility of fibre decreases due to macerated microbial activity and muscle will exist degraded to encounter the animal'due south requirements for amino acids for core torso functions.
Microbial poly peptide makes upward close to 70% of all protein absorbed from the small-scale intestine and the poly peptide contributions from microbes may be close to 100% for cattle fed low-quality forage.
In most cow-calf diets, forages with adequate digestibility will provide plenty MCP to run into the cows' requirements. But, for animals with higher protein demands, like growing calves or lactating cows, it tin can be benign to feed proteins that bypass the rumen and are absorbed in the small-scale intestine, improving protein bioavailability. Extra protein tin can be provided by feeds that are high in RUP, similar alfalfa dehydrated pellets, distillers' grains, or culling feeds like canola meal. Most forages accept college levels of RDP, particularly legumes.
During summertime months, while forages and legumes are actively growing, they may supply up to 20% crude protein (CP) with a high level of RDP, but during the wintertime, protein levels drib off dramatically. Native pasture, for instance, may test as low every bit 3-seven% CP. Putting up good quality feed is key to supplying the beef herd with adequate quality forage sources through the winter4.
Water
Water is an essential nutrient for cattle, accounting for betwixt 50 and lxxx percent of an beast's live weight. Insufficient water intake reduces animate being performance faster and more dramatically than any other nutrient deficiency. For livestock to maximize feed intake and production, they require daily access to palatable h2o of acceptable quality and quantity. Factors that make up one's mind h2o consumption include air and water temperature, humidity, wet content of the feed/forage, cattle type (calf, yearling, bull, cow), the physiological land of the creature (gestation, maintenance, growing, lactating) and water quality.
Total dissolved solids (TDS) is the main indicator of water quality and is a measure out of dissolved inorganic salts in h2o. TDS is impacted by high or depression pH levels, sulphates, nitrates, salinity, excessive mineral levels, algae and leaner. Testing h2o sources to ensure that cattle have admission to adequate amounts of quality h2o is important.
The four main functions of h2o in the body are:
- to assistance eliminate waste material products of digestion and metabolism
- a major component of secretions (milk, saliva) likewise as private and fetal growth
- equally an aid in body'southward thermoregulation processes through evaporation of water/sweat from the peel's surface and respiratory tract
- to regulate blood pressure5
Read more than about water requirements for beef cattle here.
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Minerals
At least seventeen minerals are required by beef cattle and are divided into two groups: macrominerals and microminerals. Macrominerals are those required in relatively large amounts for bodily functions, while micro or trace minerals are required in much smaller amounts.
The seven macrominerals required by cattle are calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl) and sulphur (Due south). Macrominerals are required in amounts over 100 parts per million (ppm) and are often expressed on a percent (%) dry matter (DM) basis of the creature'southward diet.
Beef cattle crave ten microminerals, too referred to as trace minerals. These microminerals, required in relatively small-scale amounts are usually expressed in parts per meg, (ppm) or mg/kg, rather than as a percentage of the diet. They are chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iodine (I), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn).
Producers strive to provide adequate levels of macro and microminerals without over-supplementing, which increases costs, can create nutritional antagonisms, and increases potential for mineral loss through manure and urinesix.
Minerals are required for several functions:
- skeletal development, os, molar formation and maintenance (includes Ca, P, Mg, Cr)
- energy, growth, immunity, and reproduction (includes P, Cu, Zn, Mn, Se)
- milk production (includes Ca and P)
- nervous system role and carbohydrate metabolism (Mg, K, Na, Cl, S, Co, I, Iron)
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Although minerals are required in relatively small amounts for optimum beef cattle wellness, a deficiency can crusade meaning reductions in growth, immune office and reproduction. The concentration of individual minerals in forages varies greatly depending on soil, found, and management factors. It is important to include mineral analysis of forages every bit part of regular feed testing. There are likewise several interactions that tin can occur between minerals, vitamins and water or feed sources that can limit availability or absorption. As a effect, the minerals that are actually available to the cattle may be much lower than anticipated considering of these interactions. Even though concentrations found in forages may appear to be sufficient, availability to the animal may exist significantly less. This can cause deficiencies which may not be noticed past producers until a significant reproductive or wellness issue arises.
In this blog, a Saskatchewan producer explains the problems that he experienced with copper deficiency.
Dr. Cheryl Waldner, NSERC/BCRC Industrial Research Chair in I Health and Production-Limiting Diseases, and Professor at the Western Higher of Veterinary Medicine explains that get-go and 2d dogie heifers are most likely to exhibit signs of copper deficiency, such as lower conception rates. The cost of open cattle can quickly impact profitability. Waldner suggests that a properly balanced, palatable mineral mix exist offered year-round to ensure optimal herd wellness and fertility. Contempo inquiry in Saskatchewan revealed that forages sampled in jump and fall contained inadequate levels of copper and zinc for beef cows and growing calves in all soil zones. Additionally, upwards to 43% of the cows involved in the study were deficient in copper. Producers may observe some early signs of copper deficiency manifesting as a brownish or cherry-red tinge in black haired cattle.
Other problems that can arise due to mineral deficiencies include grass and winter tetany, white muscle disease, weak bones, hairless calves, goiter, scours, foot rot, retained placentas, low weaning weights, and reduced fertility.
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Trace mineral supplements are divided into three groups: inorganic, organic and hydroxy trace minerals.
Inorganic minerals are bonded to an inorganic molecule such equally sulphate or oxide. They are usually less expensive but often have more than variability in formulations and are less bioavailable. Inorganic minerals are oftentimes a first pick for producers due to affordability but may sacrifice availability and assimilation. The absorption of inorganic mineral from the gastrointestinal tract can be less than five pct7. In certain instances, such as with copper, inorganic minerals may be more than prone to antagonisms with other minerals8. Just feeding more inorganic mineral to outset these potential bug will not exist successful and may cause more problems if levels of particular minerals go also high.
- Organic (chelated) minerals are bonded to a carbon containing molecule. These are usually more expensive simply have improved assimilation and availability to the animate being. Producers generally employ chelated minerals if mineral antagonisms exist in their expanse, such as loftier molybdenum or sulphur, which reduces copper availability. Chelated minerals are also used when animals are stressed, such equally during weaning, or to ensure a loftier nutritional airplane for procedures such as synchronization or bogus insemination on heifers.
- Hydroxy trace minerals accept a crystalline structure that protects metal ions and allows trace minerals to bypass rumen digestion, thereby increasing bioavailability. Oft bachelor at a mid-range cost, they are being utilized by some producers for cattle in high stress situations, such as weaning or artificial insemination.
With improved trace mineral absorption, producers report heavier weaning weights, increased boilerplate daily gain, improved reproductive efficiency, improved calving outcomes, and fewer health issues. Some also report reduced incidence of pinkeye, human foot rot, scours and respiratory problems.
Mineral needs will vary between herds based on many factors, including water and feed sources, stress, animal type and phase of production. There is no "one size fits all" mineral type or plan. Many mineral mixtures are available on the market place, from loose mineral that can be offered free choice or mixed into a ration, to various molasses-based lick tubs that contain vitamins, minerals, and often some poly peptide.
When rations comprise grass hay, alfalfa, or a mixture of the ii, calcium and phosphorus unremarkably demand to be supplemented in a 1:1 ratio (i office calcium to one function phosphorus). When feeding cereal forage rations, such as oat or barley greenfeed, a 2:1 or even 3:1 mineral mixture may be required to provide a balanced mineral mixture. Exist certain to consult with a nutritionist to ensure proper supplementation.
Producers must monitor animals for signs of deficiencies or potential toxicity, and work with their veterinary and nutritionist to ensure adequate levels and to correct whatsoever issues. Mineral toxicity may exist indicated by decreased beast performance, anorexia, weight loss and diarrhea. It can atomic number 82 to urinary calculi from excess phosphorus or inadequate calcium to phosphorus ratio, grass tetany from excess potassium leading to reduced absorption of magnesium, and polioencephalomalacia from excess sulphur. Some minerals such every bit copper, tin can become "tied upwards" or bound to other minerals present in feed and h2o. In these instances, the mineral volition not be available to the cattle in the amounts required. If producers are using feed tests to balance mineral needs, animals may still exist deficient due to reduced bioavailability.
An animal's diet or ration will decide the type of mineral mix required to meet animal requirements. Grass is often low in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and sodium, while alfalfa or other legumes are generally higher in calcium.
The following label contains the breakdown of a loose mineral that would exist considered a iii:one calcium to phosphorus ratio and may be used by producers feeding cereal greenfeed forages.
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In the post-obit video from Beefiness Enquiry Schoolhouse, Dr. John McKinnon explains what factors producers should consider when designing a mineral plan. He besides provides tips for achieving ideal consumption.
Salt
Examples of salt blocks in various formulations. Photo credit Tamara Carter.
Although the salt requirement for beef cattle is relatively low, cattle will seek out common salt. Loose salt mixed into mineral blends can help increase intake to ensure adequate amounts are existence consumed. Salt tin too exist used to encourage cattle to graze underutilized areas of pastures, by placing farther abroad from h2o and areas where cattle tend to congregate.
Many producers choose an iodized salt block to ensure adequate iodine intake, especially in areas known to have iodine deficient soils. The normal requirement for iodine in a beef cattle diet is 0.5 ppm of the total diet and tin usually be provided with iodized salt blocks. Boosted iodine may exist necessary if feeding encompass crops such as brassicas including turnips, rapeseed or kale which contain compounds that inhibit iodine uptake from the gut. While higher cost, salt blocks that contain trace minerals such as copper, zinc, cobalt and selenium may be used for herds that take experienced problems with foot rot. While these salt blocks tin supply small amounts of certain minerals, additional supplementation with loose or lick tub formulations may still exist necessary to provide and maintain adequate mineral levels.
Vitamins
Vitamins back up many vital metabolic processes in cattle. They are inorganic compounds that are required in small amounts. The age and production status of the brute will impact vitamin requirements. Vitamins A, D, East and Thou are fat soluble and are stored in the animal's fat tissue and liver. Considering of this, they do not need to exist supplemented daily if the animal has adequate reserves. These vitamins are present in feed sources and are responsible for fundamental metabolic processes within the animal, and thus are of import to monitor to ensure deficiencies exercise not develop. Fresh, leafy forages mostly contain adequate levels of vitamin A and E, all the same, drought, forage processing and extended storage periods can reduce levels. While supplementation of A, D, E and K may not exist required during the summer months, supplementation is recommended during winter months, especially prior to calving. The main functions of vitamins A, D, E and K are:
- Vitamin A - essential for bone, teeth and nerve development, eyesight, kidney function, and soft tissue maintenance. Vitamin A is often low in newborn calves, and young animals generally have smaller reserves than older animals. Deficiencies, which may manifest initially as rough hair coat, dull optics, diarrhea and pneumonia, can progress and cause reduced os development and density, decreased fertility, night blindness, reduced feed efficiency and increased susceptibility to disease. Cows with deficiencies may arrest, have weak calves, or be difficult to settle. Vitamin A is stored in the liver, but without an exterior source, these liver stores will be depleted afterward 2 to three months. Carotene is converted to vitamin A from beta carotene, plant in green forages and yellow corn,9 in the small intestine. Weather that may require supplementation include periods of greater stress, such as weaning or transportation, feeding stored forages during winter that have reduced carotene levels, and feeds or h2o with college nitrate levels.
- Vitamin D - required for calcium and phosphorus metabolism, equally well equally teeth and os development. It is synthesized past the sunday or by eating sun cured forages. Early on signs of deficiency include poor appetite, decreased growth in calves, weakness, stiff gait and laboured breathing. Soft basic, rickets, and bloated joints develop if deficiencies continue. Pregnant animals with a vitamin D deficiency may abort or have weak, plain-featured or stillborn calves.
- Vitamin Due east - required for muscle development and occurs naturally in feedstuffs.
- Vitamin 1000 - required for blood clotting and is commonly sufficient in dark-green forages. Rumen bacteria generally make sufficient quantities of vitamin Grand from feed sources. Feeding some clovers, especially if mouldy, interferes with the production of vitamin Grand due to a chemical compound called dicoumarol nowadays in clover.
Vitamin C and the B vitamins (thiamin, niacin, choline) are h2o soluble. Calves receive vitamin B from milk, and in one case the rumen becomes functional, these vitamins are synthesized by rumen microorganisms and do non usually require supplementation unless free energy and protein balance in the diet is not acceptable6.
Feed Sources and Quality - Impact on Nutrition
Cattle can apply a broad multifariousness of feedstuffs. Different feeds have different benefits and limitations when information technology comes to supplying nutrients:
- forages - loftier in fibre, lower in energy, with varying protein content; examples are hay, grass, greenfeed, silage
- grains - high in energy and depression in fibre, moderate to high protein content; examples are corn, oats, barley, wheat
- oilseeds - high in protein, loftier in energy, loftier in fat, variable fibre content; examples include soybeans, canola meal
- by-products - variable nutrient content, may be high moisture; examples are distillers' grains, baker waste matter, grain screenings, hulls
Each of these feeds provides unlike nutrients, with each nutrient fulfilling specific roles in cattle growth, maintenance and reproductive health. Balancing nutrient costs with the intended management objectives for the cattle is key. While forages are a foundation of most feeding systems, backgrounders and feedlots will utilize more grains and by-products in their rations. In the cow/calf sector, forages make upward the largest portion of the animals' diet, both while grazing during summer and in the wintertime while consuming conserved feeds. Cattle producers often apply grains and alternative feeds to provide acceptable nutrition and reduce feed costs. Optimizing the growth charge per unit of rumen microbes to amend fermentation and microbial growth requires a balance of feedstuffs.
Forage is an economical source of nutrients; however, feed quality and mineral content can vary widely, so feed testing and appropriate supplementation may be necessary to run across nutritional requirements. Forage quality directly impacts animal performance, growth, reproduction and profitability. Well-nigh provender species have the highest quality at the vegetative stage, when leaves are lush and light-green, and stems are young and supple. At this phase, these forages may exist able to supply most of the diet that the cattle require. Harvesting and feeding high quality hay can reduce the amount of supplemental minerals and vitamins that may be required.
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The level of minerals in a forage will depend on many factors including soil blazon, establish species, stage of growth, the weather, and overall management of the stand. Maturity at harvest, too as harvest techniques and storage will also affect forage quality. In addition, the assimilation of trace minerals from forages in the gastrointestinal tract tin exist very depression. Every bit Dr. John McKinnon explains in this web log, antagonistic interactions between minerals can reduce levels absorbed even further, sometimes even to aught.
Low quality forages generally reduce voluntary intake, which can result in poly peptide and energy deficiencies. When high quality forage (vegetative growth) is consumed, dry matter intake tends to be 2.v-3.0% of alive body weight. When forage is of lower quality, dry out thing intake can drop closer to one.8% of body weight, reducing protein, energy, and mineral consumed. In some instances, when the animal'southward needs are not being met (e.g. feeding a ration containing very low quality forages or straw during common cold temperatures in winter), they may actually over-eat low quality feed, as they attempt to derive enough energy from the feed. This over-consumption of beefy, low quality feed can cause compaction, which prevents feed from moving through the digestive tract and tin can crusade expiry. Analyzing feed samples volition provide an indication of protein and free energy levels available. While feeding lower quality feedstuffs tin be an economic manner to stretch feed supplies, producers must monitor consumption and animal condition to avoid potential issues with under or over consumption of low quality feed. Employ of tools such every bit the Winter Feed Price Comparison reckoner can assist producers with cost comparisons.
Knowledge of forage quality and animal requirements is necessary to formulate rations that will support and maintain a high plane of nutrition. While almost producers recognize that grazing forages can provide an economical source of nutrition, the relationship betwixt forage quality and profitability is oft unappreciated. Producers must manage grazing in response to environmental conditions and pasture growth during the season to avert either overgrazing, which reduces forage yield, and under grazing which tin lower the overall provender quality due to over-mature vegetation and may also increase provender waste matter. Proper grazing management tin can support both nutrition and profitability.
Factors Affecting Nutrient Requirements
Stage of Product
Nutritional requirements of beef cattle are influenced by the stage of product. This production wheel, which is based upon a well-managed, good for you cow in good condition (Trunk Status Score = 3) maximizes profitability past producing a dogie every 365 days. The annual product bicycle, based upon ideal length of time for each phase, includes:
- Calving, postpartum, early lactation (day 0 to day 82)
- Conception, early gestation, tardily lactation (day 83 to mean solar day 199)
- Mid gestation (24-hour interval 200 to day 274)
- Late gestation, pre-partum (twenty-four hours 275 to twenty-four hours 365).
Phase 1 - begins at calving. This is the menstruum of greatest nutritional need for the cow. She must lactate, repair her reproductive tract, resume heat cycles, breed, and if she is a young moo-cow, she must also continue growth and development. Her voluntary feed intake is highest at this point and as this blog explains, she requires a high energy and protein nutrition of at least 62% TDN and xi% CP. If she is not fed to run across nutritional needs, she will lose weight and may not rebreed.
Stage 2 - begins with conception. The cow is now supporting herself, her calf (through lactation) and her fetus. Nutritional demands are still loftier as she reaches peak lactation but are lowered by 8-13% compared to the first phase. Cows that produce more than milk volition have higher food requirements. The fetus is small, and its growth is deadening, only cows and heifers often lose weight during this time.
Stage three - is when the cow is in mid-gestation. Immediately after calves are weaned, nutritional needs are at their lowest due to the end of lactation. Free energy and protein requirements drib by up to 35% when compared to the elevation need. Fetal growth remains slow, and voluntary feed intake is the lowest during this period. This is the all-time time to put weight back on cows to assistance them gain conditionten. Meet the body condition information to learn more almost how to ensure beefiness cattle are in ideal condition.
Phase 4 - is the terminal phase prior to calving, and cows must be in proficient body status to give birth to a healthy calf, produce milk and re-breed quickly. Energy and poly peptide needs increase by xx% compared to mid-gestation. During this menstruum, the fetus tin can gain up to 60 pounds and the placenta is growing as well. Nearly 75% of fetal growth occurs during this phase11. Cows demand to gain 0.5 kg (1 lb) to 0.68 kg (1.5 lbs) per day, while weight gain for heifers should target twice that amount. The cow has reduced rumen chapters due to the growth of the dogie, then a reduction in feed intake usually occurs in the latter portion of this phase.
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Producers often modify their feeding strategies during the almanac production bike of the beefiness cow to marshal with her energy and protein needs as she moves through the cycle. For case, lower quality feeds such equally straw reduce costs during Phase 3, when the moo-cow's nutritional requirements are at her lowest. In Stage 4, as the rumen has less room for feed due to the growing fetus, she will benefit from higher quality feed such as good quality alfalfa hay or some grain to provide extra energy. A common rule of thumb is 55-60-65% for total digestible nutrients (TDN) and 7-9-xi% for crude protein (CP) for mid gestation, tardily gestation, and lactation. More information on nutritional requirements can be can be establish here.
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Producers oftentimes divide the herd into different feeding groups to tailor the feeding plan to provide an adequate level of nutrition. These groups may include:
Group 1 - Mature cows in good status - Boilerplate quality hay supplemented with grain or pellets, minerals, fortified salt and vitamins, volition by and large meet the nutritional needs of this grouping.
Group 2 - Bred replacement heifers and 2nd calf heifers - Young, growing animals do non compete effectively for feed with mature cows. Heifers require good quality hay, silage or alternative feeds, or grain to meet their needs for growth and development. These animals are nonetheless growing and gaining body weight, in add-on to developing the fetus. These animals may do good from organic (chelated) or hydroxy trace mineral supplements, which take greater bioavailability, to support growth and reproduction.
Group three - Thin, former cows - These cows volition demand extra energy, particularly during winter months. These cattle may do good from boosted vitamin and mineral programs to avoid deficiencies.
Grouping 4 - Yearling steers, bulls - Steers and bulls will require different feeding programs depending on their size and if they are on a maintenance program or are backgrounding or finishing.
If the ration is based on straw or low-quality hay, or if feed intake is express, information technology is even more of import to carve up the herd into different feeding groups to lucifer the nutritional needs of each grouping. Use feed testing and ration balancing software like Cowbytes to make up one's mind the appropriate ration and amounts of feed for each group.
Conclusion
Cattle require energy, protein, water, vitamins and minerals in acceptable amounts for optimal diet. The requirements for these nutrients volition vary depending upon the class, age, condition, and stage of production of the beast. Ecology factors will also influence brute nutrition and nutrient levels both in the feed and water sources. Feed costs represent the greatest expense associated with beef production. Nutrition is the well-nigh of import factor for cow fertility, which is a primary driver of profitability. Supplemental vitamin and mineral programs can improve livestock wellness, immune office, performance and fertility.
Each operation is unique; work with a nutritionist to identify and correct nutritional deficiencies early, earlier herd health and profitability is compromised. Identify groups of cattle that may require additional or customized feeding strategies. Feeding only low-quality feedstuffs to relieve feed costs will generally increment reproductive losses, unless offset past what is likely to exist a more expensive supplementation program. A properly balanced ration will improve cattle performance, productivity and ultimately profitability.
Definitions
Acrid detergent fibre (ADF) - a chemical analysis that estimates the full fibre (including boxy lignin) in the feed. A high ADF indicates reduced digestibility and likely lower voluntary feed intake.
Amino acids - nitrogen-containing molecules that are the building blocks used to create protein in the body.
Bachelor protein - the portion of crude protein that can be digested by the animate being. It represents the proportion of total poly peptide later deducting the ADF-N fraction of a feed.
Sugar - a source of dietary energy that includes starches, sugars, pectins, cellulose and hemicellulose. All carbohydrates contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, and are usually divided into 2 types: structural (fibre from plant wall) and non-structural (sugars and starches from institute prison cell contents).
Cellulose - a fibrous carbohydrate that is the main part of institute cell walls.
Chelated mineral - a chemic bond formed between an organic molecule and a mineral that increases mineral bioavailability to the animate being and can reduce excretion of excess minerals in manure.
Crude protein (CP) - an judge of the total protein content of a feed determined by analyzing the nitrogen content of the feed and multiplying the result by half dozen.25. Rough poly peptide includes truthful poly peptide and not-protein nitrogen sources such as ammonia, amino acids and nitrates.
Digestible energy (DE) - the apparent energy that is available to the creature by digestion, measured as the difference between gross free energy content of a feed and the energy contained in the creature'southward feces.
Fat soluble vitamins - stored in the animate being's fat reserves or liver, including A, D, E, and One thousand.
Hemicellulose - a carbohydrate found in plant cell walls that is more than complex in structure than sugars only less complex than cellulose.
International unit (IU) - a standard unit of potency of a biological amanuensis, such as a vitamin, hormone, vaccine, or antibody.
Neutral detergent fibre (NDF) - an insoluble fraction containing all plant jail cell wall components left later boiling a feed sample in a neutral detergent solution. A loftier NDF indicates lower digestibility and voluntary feed intake.
Non-poly peptide nitrogen (NPN) - urea and ammonia are compounds that can be used by the microorganisms in the rumen to form truthful protein, that tin then be converted to meat or milk by the animals. When feeding low quality, depression poly peptide feeds, urea tin assist the ruminal bacteria to create true poly peptide.
Not-structural carbohydrate - comprised of sugar, starch and pectin, this is the non-NDF fraction of feedstuffs.
Rumen degradable poly peptide (RDP) - the portion of dietary poly peptide that is degraded in the rumen. Information technology feeds the rumen leaner, supplying microbial protein.
Rumen undegraded protein (RUP) - the portion of dietary protein that escapes degradation by ruminal microorganisms and passes into the small intestine where it is digested and absorbed.
Structural saccharide - the fibrous, cell wall or support structure of the plant, containing cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin.
Water soluble vitamins - include the B complex vitamins and vitamin C. They are more often than not not supplemented to cattle after two months of age, due to the ability of rumen microbes to manufacture them in adequate amounts12.
This topic was final revised on March 23, 2022 at seven:53 AM.
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Source: https://www.beefresearch.ca/research-topic.cfm/beef-cattle-nutrition-107
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