Week 3 Flashcards
for most beef cow-calf operations. protein and/or energy supplementation is generally needed when?
late summer when forage quality declines
during winter
reasons to supplement
inadequate nutrient intake
conserve or stretch forage/hay supplies
improve nutrient utilization
improve performance
steps to designing a forage supplementation program
determine forage quality and general forage intake
consider nutrient requirements of the animal
determine what type of supplement is needed
determine which supplement is the best buy for the needed nutrients
monitor and adjust your supplementation program as actual performance dictates
determining quality of stored forages
forage testing
determining quality: pasture
forage species
growing conditions
fecal consistency
how does BCS affect supplementation needs?
Low: need more protein and energy
medium: ok protein supplement, can lay off TDN
supplementation considerations: protein needs
always supplement to make up for shortage
supplementation considerations: energy needs
supplementation will depend on cow BCS and how big the shortage is
easiest, least expensive hay feeding scenarios
no supplement needed if hay is good enough
frequent labor when needed, less expensive
a combination of energy and protein (cubes)
12% cube
high energy, low protein
20% cube
energy and protein
20% cube, breeder
higher energy, same protein
38% (40%) cube
slightly lower energy, high protein
12-14% cube energy sources
corn, soybean hulls, wheat midds, rice bran (gradually increase levels in diet)