When feeding cows beef, it is important to consider several factors. These include nutritional status, cost, and mineral toxicity. It is also important to consider the impact of toxicity on the cow’s performance. The best beef cow ration provides a balanced protein diet, along with sufficient mineral intake. A good ration should include 8% crude protein and 20% total protein.
Nutritional status of a beef cow
A beef cow’s nutritional status influences her reproductive efficiency, so it’s vital to provide the optimal amount of nutrients. While most of a cow’s nutritional needs can be met through forages, there are certain adjustments needed before and after calving. The nutrition of a cow before calving is particularly important, because it plays an important role in the diet of her newborn calf. Insufficient nutrition during pre-calving can affect colostrum production, which may lead to calf disease, decreased feedlot growth, and higher mortality rates.
A cow’s nutritional status varies based on the type of feed it receives and the conditions in which it’s raised. The basic nutritional requirements of a beef cow are proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water. The amount of protein a cow requires depends on its age, weight, and production stage. A lack of protein can reduce an animal’s appetite and ultimately result in an unthrifty animal.
Vitamin A and vitamin D are important for cattle. The cow’s body can convert provitamin A into active vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. However, cattle are less efficient at this process than monogastric animals, so supplemental vitamin A is often recommended. Vitamin A is fat-soluble, and it’s stored in the liver. The levels of vitamin A in beef cattle depend on a variety of physiological factors.
Nutritional status is important at all stages of production. Poor nutrition during early pregnancy can affect the dam’s metabolic status and compromise the calves’ growth and yield. It may also impact the fetus’ growth and performance. In addition, it can result in reduced muscle mass and greater fat deposition.
Cost of feeding beef to a beef cow
Feeding beef to beef cows is very expensive. Depending on breed, the beef from one cow can cost anywhere from $700 to $1,500. Calves can be cheaper, however, as the costs of raising them are lower. Typically, the cost of raising a beef cow ranges from $500 to $1,000, including the cost of feed and care.
To estimate feed costs, you need to know the number of cattle you’ll need to feed. There are a variety of rations available, including corn, barley, alfalfa grass, and hay. In the case of beef cows, litter can be an economical feed source if it is well-managed. It is important to make sure the litter is dried and stacked well. Generally, beef cows are able to adapt to litter feed without any issues.
Feeding cattle is one of the most expensive expenses of any cow-calf operation. It’s also very difficult to feed a herd during the winter. Regardless of the hardships and harsh conditions, cattle must eat. Feeding cattle has been a challenge for many cattle producers, but producers have held their heads high and pushed through the storms to provide for their herds. Now is the time to plan ahead for winter feeding and build a little extra room into your budget.
For the winter feeding period, we used bales of bahiagrass hay, a high-quality hay that is high in protein, and a ration that used hay for feed. This ration was used from November 15 to March 15, a period of 120 days. Our beef cows weighed about 1,200 pounds and required 24 pounds of dry matter per day. This was a diet with 54% digestible nutrients and 8% crude protein.
Impact of mineral toxicity on performance of a beef cow
Mineral toxicity can affect a beef cow in a variety of ways. It can occur as a result of excessive mineral concentrations in feeds, municipal waste, and animal manure. Too much of one or more of these minerals can cause a number of health problems, including decreased performance, anorexia, weight loss, and diarrhea. Excessive amounts of specific minerals can also cause specific disorders, including urinary calculi from excess phosphorus, grass tetany from excess potassium, and polioencephalacy from excess sulfur. While most cases of mineral toxicity can be remedied by adjusting rations, a severe case can lead to chronic health problems and even death.
Mineral toxicity can also cause gastrointestinal problems in cattle. Phosphorus is a common mineral that cattle consume, but cattle that do not get enough of it often exhibit signs of deficiency. This includes licking their own urine or other animals’ urine, and it may even result in diarrhea. Another effect of mineral toxicity on beef cattle is lower feed intake.
In the simplest terms, salt increases the phosphorus in cattle’s diet. It also makes it more soluble, increasing water intake and mineral solubility. Moreover, cattle can tolerate a high calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of up to 7:1. However, excessive amounts of calcium inhibit the absorption of phosphorus and many trace minerals, including phosphorus and magnesium. Therefore, producers should strive to maintain an ideal Ca:P ratio of at least 1.5:1.