Nutrition of Beef Cattle Flashcards
5 Basic Nutrients
-water (most limiting)
-protein
-energy
-minerals
-vitamins
Measuring Nutrients
based on dry matter
–> 2.5% of body weight consumed on DM basis
Protein
build muscle and bone
-sources: soybean meal, protein tub, non-protein nitrogens
Energy
effect on body condition and warmth, TDN=total digestive nutrients
-sources: forages, high starches and sugars, fats and oils, concentrates (corn, wheat, milo, oats,), seeds (energy dense)
Minerals and Vitamins
-Calcium:Phosphorus Ratio (1.5:1)
less concern when fed high quality forages
Cow’s Palate
-six lower incisors
-dental pad=no upper incisors
-premolars + molars
-long rough tongue
___ acres per cow per year average
2.5
Tall Fescue
-cool season grass
-endophyte fungus can cause fescue foot
Rotational Grazing
prevent overgrazing, optimal growth of plant, same piece grazed multiple times
Roughages
fiber, cellulose, hemicellulose, low energy, viable protein, hay, grass, grain hulls
Grains
high energy, low fiber, moderate protein, corn, barley, oats
Oilseeds
high protein, high energy, soybeans, cottonseed meal
Byproducts
viable nutrients, distillers grains, bakery waste
Forage Probe
tool to take samples and determine if there is a uniform feed sample
Stocker Diet
grazing
–> weight gain from forages
Backgrounder Diet
primarily forages, some supplementation
-TMR
–> 2-4 lbs gain per day
Feed:Gain Ratio
how much a cow is fed to the weight gained
Feedlot Diet
High Concentrate Rations
-concentrate: cracked corn, gluten pellets, shelled corn, finisher pellets
-roughage: alfalfa and Timothy round bale
Average Daily Growth
ADG
–> feedlots = 3-3.5 lbs
Feed Additives
probiotics, antibiotics, coccidiostat, ionophores
Nitrites/Nitrates
negate hemoglobin function, concern during drought
Grass Tetany
lack of magnesium
Bloat/Acidosis
can’t belch, stomach swells
Mycotoxins
fungi on feed, produce metabolites
Sulphates
cause polio/PEM, neuro symptoms
Fat Cattle Issues
-hoot/foot problems
-heat stress
-short life span
