Building a Complete Nutritional Program for the Cow Herd
By Kristin Lewis Hawkins
After considerable investment in land and livestock, a good nutrition program is most likely one of the largest and most important expenses you have on an annual basis, according to Dr. Stephen E. Blezinger, a livestock nutritional consultant with ABC Nutrition Service.
When looking at the components that build a complete nutrition program, animal performance is dependent on matching nutrients and nutrient sources to the animal given its age, breed, environment, stress level and health status.
Blezinger says that when he asks about their current nutrition program, the most common answer he gets from ranchers is either range cubes and hay or “how it’s always been done.” This can be a costly mistake, he says.
“Getting cattle bred and keeping animals healthy and productive is paramount to a successful operation,” Blezinger says. “Nutrition and health are intrinsically linked. But often the costs of a compromised nutritional program are overlooked because folks think their cows are eating and look pretty good, so they must be healthy and breeding well. But this may not really be the case.”
Costs of a compromised nutritional program
Blezinger says that for a breeding operation, fertility is the name of the game. Fertility in the animal and nutrition are directly related in many ways, from pre-breeding to post-weaning. He also lists the costs of a compromised nutritional program that are often overlooked:
Poor reproduction. Cows with body condition scores that are too low or too high (BCS below 5 or above 7) will have more problems conceiving than their counterparts with better nutritional support. Short-changing cows in the nutrition department can cost you down the line.
Delayed calving. Keeping cattle bred can be as difficult as getting them bred if their nutrition is not supporting good health.
Depressed growth and development. Give calves the best foundation for a healthy immune system and optimal growth by providing a well-rounded nutrition and mineral program. This is critical from conception through calving as well as once the calf is on the ground.
Reduced health performance. Poor nutrition can result in an animal having an insufficient immune response to disease, making it unable to fight off an infection or illness. You may also not get the full value of a vaccine if the immune system of the animal is not supported with good nutrition. A vaccine can fail if the immune system is already compromised. Not only are you throwing your money away on failed vaccine response, you are risking the cost of treating animals for the disease you are trying to prevent.
Net effect. Poor nutrition can lower the pounds of beef the cattle produce, at a higher cost of production.
Blezinger says that for the cow-calf producer, fertility is ten times more important in determining profitability than are production traits such as size, growth rate, and feed efficiency. “If you don’t have calves, you don’t have revenue and profit. It’s that simple.”
Building a nutrition program — find out where you are to know where you are going
The single most valuable tool in your nutrition program is forage testing, Blezinger says. For $25 to $35, a lab test will generate a report of crude protein, fiber levels, total digestible nutrients (TDN) and energy values, among other variables. He says that different labs will give you different reports, so do some research or ask around to get a variety of opinions. Not all labs are the same.
Blezinger also recommends investing in a good hay probe and using it often. Without knowing the nutritional value of your hay, you are just guessing and possibly throwing money away on unneeded supplementation, or you may not be providing enough supplemental nutrients to maintain the condition and nutritional status of your cattle.
Hay nutritional values also vary widely throughout the season, with each cutting, and by location. Often there is variation within a field, or between two fields that seem to be managed identically. Medium- to good-quality grass hay usually ranges from 8 to 12 percent crude protein.
“Sample 10 percent of your bales,” he says. “It will give you an average number. Take samples from those bales and send it all in one bag for testing, so you’re not working from information on just one bale from one area.”
When buying hay, request hay analysis results from suppliers or test all hay you purchased and are unfamiliar with, Blezinger suggests.
The price of a good nutrition program
“A big issue many producers have with their nutrition programs is the cost. Inevitably, producers look for the cheapest fix, which is seldom good strategy,” Blezinger says. “Nutrition is the foundation of a healthy, productive animal, and if you compromise that foundation, it’s a like having an unstable building. It won’t take much to topple it.”
Grain and feed markets have been historically volatile and often subject to seasonality. Prices are often determined by basic supply and demand, weather, previous market situations, exports, bio stock for energy programs, and value of the dollar. However, Blezinger says there are things livestock owners can do to mitigate these fluctuations:
Plan, plan, plan. Sit and write it down. Individual operation needs vary so there is no one-size-fits-all answer. However, you can begin by looking at what you have, so you know what you will need.
Take a realistic look at your forage supply and what it is going to take to meet the requirements of your operation. What is your hay or forage supply, its quantity, and its quality? Do not focus only on protein levels. Other nutrients and minerals can be just as important. What is your herd’s intake? Are you supplying a well-balanced mineral?
Evaluate your forages. What is the forage composition of your pastures? Are they native? Improved? Seasonal changes, stockpiled forage, and management of stockpiled forage can all affect quality.
Determine how to best supplement what your hay and forage are not providing. Do not forget the minerals, trace minerals, and vitamins. Supplement feed to provide needed protein, energy and fiber using the most cost-effective combination of range cubes, commodities such as cottonseed hulls or trash, other feeds like pellets, loose or textured mixes and meals, blocks and tubs, and liquid feeds. Some forms can be significantly less expensive than others. Some sources can provide a significant amount of added fat which is high in energy and useful in supporting reproduction.
“Generally speaking, products that save labor are more expensive,” Blezinger says. “So, you have to take into consideration whether saving time is worth the extra money. Labor costs are definitely something you need to have in mind when looking at your supplementation options.”
Look at your anticipated needs and what each change of season could bring. Do you have cows, calves, heifers, bulls, or all the above? What is your stocking rate now? What will it be after your cows calve?
Evaluate the supplement and feed options for sources of protein, energy, and minerals provided by area suppliers. What are your resources, labor and transportation costs, and equipment needs for getting these supplies? Range cubes may be readily available, but they may not be your best option. Think “outside the box” and research which sources and industries have stocks available by season.
Take a close look at your herd. Do you need to cull? Look at the costs of keeping cows in the lower tier of production and whether this is hurting your bottom line. Do not be afraid to replace that bottom third with higher-producing animals.
Ask around for nutrition and supplementation information from local county agricultural Extension agents, feed supply representatives, animal nutritionists and your veterinarian. They are valuable resources for information and are knowledgeable about regional differences that can apply to your area. Use them!
Plan for change
Recognize that forage nutrients change. Growing plants change as they mature, and pastures can change as species become more prevalent over the growing season. They also change from one feeding source to another.
Nutrition plans will vary from year to year and require ongoing evaluation. Plan for making changes and adjustments over time. Weather, supplies, prices, and personal goals rarely stay the same year-to-year. But having a comprehensive nutrition program gives you a good place to start.
Building a Complete Nutritional Program for the Cow Herd is excerpted from the August 2018 issue of The Cattleman magazine.