According to Adele Harty, a former SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist, feeding cows later in the day has a number of benefits. Not only does it increase the number of calves born during daylight hours, but it also allows farmers to monitor their cattle more easily. A later feeding regimen was developed by Gus Konefal, who also developed a method that involves twice-daily feedings.
Increased calving rate
Feeding cattle at the best time of day can increase the rate of calving. Several studies have demonstrated this effect. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, feeding cattle late in the evening and early in the morning can decrease the calving rate. However, this effect only applies to the earlier part of the day, and feeding cows earlier in the day will have some benefit.
A study on calving time found that feeding cattle during the right time of day can increase the chances of calves being born with good colostrum. The amount of feed a cow eats prior to calving is not as important as what it needs after the birth. After calving, cows need twice as much food energy as they did before, and if they are not getting enough, their weight will decline and their milk production will suffer.
A study of the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) station in Miles City, Montana found that there were 153 calvings associated with prolapse of the reproductive tract. Of these, 124 were vaginal and 29 were uterine. The subsequent pregnancy rate was 28% for first calf heifers and 57.9% for adult cows.
Increased calves’ survival rate
Increased calves’ survival rate can be achieved by feeding cattle during the optimal time of day. This can be done by monitoring nutrient intake during preweaning. The milk yield response of calves is influenced by factors that stimulate protein synthesis, including energy intake. However, these factors were not directly studied in this study.
The study also showed that feeding a higher-protein milk replacer improved the growth of neonatal mammary gland cells. This increase is not attributed to a greater milk yield, but to changes in the way the mammary glands respond to nutrient supply. Further research is necessary to understand how these changes affect the calves’ growth.
In one study, the USDA station in Miles City, Montana reported 153 calvings with prolapse of the reproductive tract. Of these, 124 were vaginal prolapses while 29 were uterine prolapses. This prolapse resulted in decreased oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, decreased respiration efforts, and decreased heart rate. The calves were then too weak to nurse and died in 12 to 24 hours.
Increased calving rate with Konefal method
One of the most effective ways to increase calving rate in cows is to adjust feeding schedule. A recent study from Iowa State University found that introducing the Konefal method into a cow’s feeding routine can increase the rate of calving. Using this feeding schedule, the researchers found that 75 percent of cows calved within six hours of a 4 p.m. feed time. In addition, 90% of heifers calved within that same timeframe.
The time of day a cow is fed has a major impact on when it calved. In the morning, a cow’s body temperature is higher than during the evening. The late feeding method was developed by Gus Konefal, a Hereford breeder from Manitoba. It involves feeding a cow twice a day – once in the morning and once in the evening – for one month prior to the first calving.
This calving method is not suitable for every situation. It is most effective when the cows are in a dry lot, but it may not work for every situation. Some cows may still calve at night, and the time of day they calve may depend on weather conditions. During storms, cows may not come to the bunk, resulting in a reduced calving rate.
