Lactating Beef Flashcards
How much water should cattle be drinking?
7% of their body weight
Ratio of Water in Dry Matter in a Non-Lactating Beef Cow
3:1
For every gallon of milk a cow produces, how muc extra water should they intake?
1 gallon
Effect of environmental temperature on water needs
increase in temp increases water needs
Common limiting factor in cattle diet?
protein
Do cows have a salt appetite?
yes!
4 Determinants of Forage Intake
- Feed type
- Feed quality
- Feed quantity
- Protein content
Do cows balance to dry matter intake or nutrients?
dry matter (they eat what they like not what they need)
4 Stages of the Biological/Nutrition Cycle for a Lactating Beef Cow
- Post-calving
- Pregnant and Lactating
- Mid-gestation
- Pre-calving
During what nutritional period are nutrient needs the highest?
post-calving!
By what percent do nutrient needs increase after calving?
30-40%
Consequences of Nutrient Deficiencies during Post-Calving Period
lower milk production, lower calf growh, poor fertility
Consequences of Nutrient Deficiencies during Pregnant and Lactating Period
possible abortion/lower fetal viability
Consequences of Nutrient Deficiencies during Mid-gestation
decreased fetal health, quality
Consequences of Nutrient Deficiencies during Pre-Calving
low calf weight, low survival, poor colostrum quality, poor milk production, poor transition
LCT (Lower Critical Temp)
cutoff to increase ration by 1% for every degree below said cutoff
Based on season and what sort of coat (summer/winter/wet/dry) each cow has
LCT for wet coat?
59 degrees F
Ways to divide a herd for appropriate feeding
Age, BCS, open or pregnant, etc
Positive Effects of Higher BCS
higher % of cycling cows
higher % of pregnant cows
higher # of calves with high IgG
BETTER OUTCOMES
