In this article, we will look at the Phase 2 of a balanced diet for cows. This is the part of the diet that contains non-structural carbohydrates. These carbohydrates should make up approximately 35% of the DM in a lactating cow’s diet. However, this portion should be significantly less for far-off dry cows and post-weaned growing heifers.
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Phase 2 of a balanced diet for cows
In order to provide your cows with a balanced diet, you need to understand the basic requirements for the cow’s body. Cows have four primary functions that determine the nutrients they need. Hall, of Virginia Cooperative Extension, led a research team that focused on the nutritional needs of cow-calf herds.
During lactation, a cow’s body demands a significant amount of protein. This is derived from dietary sources as well as mobilization of lean tissues within the body. Increasing the cow’s protein intake during lactation is critical to maintaining acceptable conception rates.
Crude protein
While protein is a major component of livestock nutrition, the amount of crude protein in a cow’s diet may vary greatly. For example, feedstuffs can contain only 10% crude protein, while formulated feeds may have as much as 60 percent crude protein. Crude protein can be derived from natural sources, non-protein nitrogen sources, or a combination of both. The ratio of supplemental protein to forage nitrogen can vary widely.
Cattle require various amounts of crude protein depending on their stage of production and their weight. Larger cattle require more crude protein per day than smaller cattle. As cattle gain weight, they require higher amounts of forages and higher-quality feeds. The amount of protein in a cow’s diet increases with the rate of gain. High levels of protein are essential for milk production and the reconditioning of the reproductive tract after calving. In addition, young cows need high amounts of crude protein in their diet for growth and muscle development. It is important to feed forage containing at least 15 percent crude protein.
Digestible energy
A cow’s diet should be rich in digestible energy. This energy is needed for the body to function properly and sustain life. It’s also important for a cow’s reproductive performance and growth. When a cow is under-nourished, it can show signs of weakness and decreased appetite. This can also lead to poorer growth and reduced milk production. Providing the animal with an adequate amount of digestible energy is crucial to its overall health and productivity, and it also helps keep a ranch profitable.
In order to measure digestible energy in cow diet, it is necessary to feed a test diet to several cows for two weeks. Then, the total feed intake is recorded. The fecal output is also measured and the energy content is estimated by using a digestibility marker. However, this method is time-consuming and expensive. Therefore, several other methods have been developed. The concentration of digestible energy is dependent on the composition of the entire diet and the amount of feed consumed by the animal.
Fat soluble vitamins
The Fat soluble vitamins, or FVs, are important for the body. They are important for normal vision, growth, reproduction, and skin and bone development. In humans, these vitamins are synthesized in the body. In cows, however, FVs cannot be synthesized by the body and must be supplemented.
Animals need fat-soluble vitamins to grow and maintain their health, and limiting the inclusion of these nutrients in feeds can be a major problem. Fortunately, there are ways to supplement these nutrients in a way that meets your cow’s daily needs. The recommended daily allowance for fat-soluble vitamins is provided in international units.
In general, cows require 50,000 to 1 million IU of vitamin A per day. Increasing the amount of vitamin A in feed can help improve cows’ fertility and milk production. Moreover, milk production increases after supplementing cows with vitamin A during the dry period.
