Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Botany > week 8 - Suckler cow nutrition > Flashcards

week 8 - Suckler cow nutrition Flashcards

1
Q

2 strategies to improve cost efficiency

A
  1. increase output to dilute cow costs
  2. Reduce costs incurred by the suckler cow
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

factors which help increase output to dilute cow costs

A

(i) optimal herd fertility, targeted
(ii) calf growth rates and
(iii) high calf quality are the principal factors of importance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what is the most important factor which reduces costs incurred by the suckler cow

A

feed costs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

what is profitability on irish suckler farms driven by

A

driven by striking the correct balance between maximising the output per cow while at the same time controlling costs per cow”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what costs may be incurred on a suckler farm

A
  • feed
  • Fertiliser
  • Vet
  • Breeding Costs
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what do you need to balance with a suckler cow

A

balance between maximising the output per cow while at the same time controlling costs per cow

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

how much does it cost to maintain a suckler cow and calf to the weaning stage

A

€635

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

how mkcuh does it cost to maintain the suckler cow

A

€552

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what is the largest expense and how much is it

A

feeding cost
- 420

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what is the LARGEST variable cost in BEEF production

what % does it account for

A

Providing feed -particularly during the indoor winter period

65%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Cow herd accounts for approx. ___% and __% or greater of the annual feed cos

A

Cow herd accounts for approx.85% and 50% or greater of the annual feed cos

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what is the Biological efficiency of producing beef from the suckler herd

A

relatively low

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Feed budget for a beef cow herd

A

Grass = ~62%
Concentrate = ~8%
Silage= ~30%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what is a key objective in the annual feed budget of suckler beef system

A

to maximise the proportion of grazed gras

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what has irish livestock farmers

A

a competitive advantage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

how much cheaper is grass than silage and concentrates

A

Grass is two times the cost of silage and three times the cost of barley concentrate”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

what sort of energy system is used

A

net energy system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

hwo is energy value of feedstuff expressed

A

UFL or UFV

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

how many UFL = 1kg barley

A

1 UFL (or UFV) = NE content of 1 kg of air dry barley

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Energy requirements of cattle are also expressed in (2)

A

UFL
–Suckler cows & slowly growing (0 -1.0 kg/day) animal

UFV
–Rapidly growing & fattening animal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

how many UFL is
- grazed grass
- GS DMD 64
- GS DMD 70
- GS DMD 74

A
  • grazed grass = 1
  • GS DMD 64 = 0.71
  • GS DMD 70 = 0.79
  • GS DMD 74 = 0.84
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

why does the feed requirements of the sucker cow varies throughout the year

A

in accordance with the stage in production

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

what are the 3 most important stages

A

1.Mating/breeding
2.Calving
3.Weaning

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

when are reserved built up

when can theses reserves be utilised

A

Aim to build up body reserves when grass is plentiful.

These reserve can then be utilised in the winter when feed cost are higher

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

what should cow feed requirements be based on

A

body reserves

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

what is an important strategy in controlling feed costs

A

Manipulation of the cows body condition

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

what does BCS provide

A

Provides a measure of the level of body reserves which is independent of liveweight alone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

what has Management of BCS has implications on for the cow

A

reproductive performance, milk yield, health and well being and, in extreme cases, calving difficulty.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

what are the 2 BCS methods

A

*“Scottish”: Loin & Tail head
*“French”: Ribs + Tail head

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

three main areas of the cow to assess the level of fat cover

A
  1. The loin area: (i.e. between the hip bone and the last rib)
  2. Around the tail head.
  3. Ribs
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Score 0

A

emaciated: spinous processes, hip bones, tail-head and ribs prominant

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

score 1

A

Individual spinous processes are sharp to the touch and easily distinguished

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

score 2

A

The spinous processes can be identified individually when
touched, but feel rounded rather than sharp

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

score 3

A

The spinous processes can only be felt with very firm pressure and the areas on either side of the tail head have
some fat cover

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

score 4

A

Fat cover around the tail head is easily seen as slight mounds, soft to the touch. The spinous processes cannot be felt even with firm pressure. Folds of fat developing
over ribs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

score 5

A

The bone structure of the animal is no longer noticeable and the tail head is almost completely buried in fatty tissue.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

what can charting body condition score be used to plan

A

feeding management through the year so
optimum cow reproductive performance is achieved at minimum feed cost”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

target BSC FOR SPRING

A

Mid-Pregnancy - ~3.0 (Wean)
* Calving ~2.5
* Mating (minimum) >2.0

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

Target BCS for autumn

A
  • Mid-Pregnancy - ~2.0 (turnout)
  • Calving ~3
  • Mating (minimum) - 2.5
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

The manipulation of the cows body condition between winter and summer is an important
strategy in controlling what

A

costs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

Cow: ??% seasonal weight gain from grazed grass

A

100%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

what does 0.70 BCS loss =

A

75kg

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

what do first calver cows have

A

1st Calvers (& young) cows have
additional growth requirements

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

Use of body reserves in winter (2)

A

(A) Loss of 1 unit of body condition score contributes 3200 MJ ME = ~ 280 UFL (11.4 MJME/UFL) – Usual BCS loss in winter = 0.70 BCS = ~200 UFL

(B) French data: Cow in good BCS (3.0) allow deficit of 1.5 UFL/day in pregnancy + 2.0 UFL/day in early lactation = (1.5 x 120) + (2 x 30 days) = ~ 240 UFL

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

what does 220 UFL =

A

~220 UFL = ~300 kg DM silage (DMD ~67% = 0.73 UFL/kg)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

Feed cost saving of
~220 UFL = ~300 kg DM silage (DMD ~67% = 0.73 UFL/kg)

A

*~220 UFL = ~300 kg DM silage (DMD ~67% = 0.73 UFL/kg)
*300 kg DM silage= ~1.5t (fresh weight) saving per cow
* 0R 35-40 euro per cow!!!!!

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

silage requirements of spring calving cows
(600 kg) over a 5 month winter

A

slide 24

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

how should animals be grouped at weaning/housing

A

Group animal according to condition score and feed accordingly

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

how many groups should spring calvers be broken up into

A

spring Calvers: Break herd up into three groups
Group (1): Fat ~ BCS above 3.5
Group (2): Target = BSC between~2.25-3.5
Group (3): Lean = Thin cows BSC of 2 or less

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

how should first calf heifers be housed

A

First calf heifers should be housed either separately or with the lean group

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

what % of nutrient requirment should be from feed once a calf is 7 months old

A

once a calf is 7months old (>200d), 75% of its nutrient requirement should be
from feeds other than milk.

52
Q

Feeding strategy is based on two stages:

A
  1. For the first three months of housing (stage 1), each group will have a different feeding requiem with the aim to have the fat and thin cows back on track 50 to 60 days pre-calving.
  2. For the final two month (stage 2) the entire herd can be penned together and fed the same diet up to calving.
53
Q

when should change in BCS/liveweight happen and why?

A

change in condition score/liveweight should only take place in mid gestation as the last two months of pregnancy weight should be
stabilized as energy intake at this time is partitioned towards foetal growth

54
Q

what can under or over feeding cows in late gestation lead to

A

calving difficulties in over condition cows

in the case of thin cows can lead to
weak calves with poor vigor at birth.

55
Q

Energy Requirements – Pregnancy (UFL/day)

A

slide 29

56
Q

what is the equation for maintenance UFL/.day

A

1.4 + 0.6 Wt/100

57
Q

what % of calf weight is gained in the last 3 months of pregnancy

A

90%

58
Q

Protein Reqs. - Pregnancy (g PDI / day)

A

slide 32

59
Q

for spring calving cows how much UFL/day is provided

A

~ -1.5 UFL/day PROVIDED
followed by good grazing conditions
– i.e. adequate leafy grass
- +ve Energy Balance

60
Q

what can cows with a good BCS be restricted to

A

cows in good BCS (~3.0) can be restricted to 75% of feed requirements to reduce winter feed cost

61
Q

“Restricted” Feeding – Pregnancy

A
  • Grass silage offered ad libitum
  • 600 kg cow - Good BCS
  • Intake capacity – DMD ~67% (0.75 UFL) @1.35% BW => 8.1 kg DM
62
Q

Grass silage: Energy & Protein Intake

A
  • Spring-calving
  • 600 kg cow : good BCS : Late pregnancy
  • Grass silage: DMD 67% – UFL= 0.75; PDIE = 66 g /kg DM
  • Consumes ~1.35% LW => ~8.1 kg DM
  • Energy Intake = ~6.1 UFL = sufficient
  • Protein Intake = ~535 g PDI = sufficient
  • Generally protein deficiency is not an issue with
    grass silage
63
Q

how much does a 600 kg cow : good BCS : Late pregnancy - grass silage

what is the energy intake

what is the protein intake

A

Consumes ~1.35% LW => ~8.1 kg DM

Energy Intake = ~6.1 UFL = sufficient

  • Protein Intake = ~535 g PDI = sufficient
64
Q

Feeding Straw : Energy & Protein Intake

A

Silage generally has adequate protein for dry cows but where Half the diet consists of straw there is shortage of protein
Balance for Protein!!!

65
Q

how much does a 600 kg cow : good BCS : Late pregnancy - straw

A
  • DMI = ~ 7.5 kg
  • Energy Intake = ~3.5 UFL : Deficit => ~ -4.0 UFL
  • Protein Intake = ~180 g PDI : Deficit => ~ -370 PDI
  • Tolerate deficit ~1.5 UFL/day & < ~100 g PDI /day
    supplement
    – e.g. ~ 2.5 kg concentrate: Barley / Maize distillers mix (CP 18%) – In order to meet dietary protein requirement
66
Q

for fat cows what should feed be

A

restricted

67
Q

Relationship between condition
score and assisted calvings

A

*As BCS rises to high levels the number of difficult calvings increases
*Excessive feeding in late pregnancy increase calf birth weight
*This, combined with a reduction in cow pelvic size as a result of fat deposition increase the incidence of calving difficulty

68
Q

what does calving difficulty reduce

A

reproductive performance

69
Q

will Low levels of feeding during the last one-third of pregnancy will result in predictable effects on dystocia.

A

Low levels of feeding during the last one-third
of pregnancy will not result in predictable
effects on dystocia.

70
Q

when is dystocia increaase

A

over fat cows
- fat-filled birth canal

thin cows
- insufficient strength withstand birth process +…. weak non-vigorous calves

71
Q

what are the feeding options for pre calving thin cows

A

Grass silage: DMD 67% or DMD 72%
– Options :Ad-lib access to good quality silage (72% DMD)
– Moderate quality silage (67% DMD) and 2 kg of concentrate.
– Ensure thin cows have reached target condition score 6-8 wks before calving

72
Q

how much longer can it take for a cow calving in poor bcs to come back in callf

A

3 weeks

73
Q

what are the 5 of post calving diet for suckler cows based on

A

(1) Nutrition status of the cow estimated by the BCS at calving;
(2) Diet quality available;
(3) Timing of calving;
(4) Cow age;
(5) Cow type or milk production potential

74
Q

how much UFL does a suckler cow require for every litre of milk produced

A

0.45 UFL

75
Q

HOW MUCH MILK does beef breeds produce per day indoors

A

5-8 ltr

76
Q

how much does a 600kg cow need while maintaining body condition

A

*600 kg cow needs 7.8 to 9.1 UFL per day while maintaining body condition.

77
Q

Energy Requirements (UFL/day) of 600
kg Suckler Cows giving 5 & 8 ltrs milk/ d

A

slide 49

78
Q

diet type for Early Calving: January to February

A

-Ad-lib access to moderate to high quality grass silage.
-Concentrates will need to be supplemented at 1.5kg to 2.5kg per day (depending on silage quality) up to mating, regardless of cow type.

79
Q

when silage is poor how much extra feed allocation is needed

A

On farms where silage quality poor (<60% DMD) an extra 1kg to 2kg on top of the above feed allocations will be needed to meet the
cows’ requirements.

80
Q

what is priority groups

A

(first calving heifers and thin cows)

81
Q

what is the diet type of priority groups

A

Ad-lib access to moderate to high quality grass silage.
Concentrates will need to be supplemented at 1.5kg to 2.5kg per day (depending on silage quality) until turnout to grass

82
Q

what category of cows should preferential feeding treatment be fed to

A

be given to first calvers and cows in a low body condition score (BCS = 2 or less).

83
Q

First calvers: supplementation after calving

A

Conc. Supplement (kg/day) 0 2.5

Silage DMI (kg/day) 7.6 7.2 **
Total DMI (kg/day) 7.6 9.3 **

Live weight post-partum (kg) 481 474 ns
Live weight loss (kg) -40 -16 ***

Milk yield (kg/day) 7.8 9.0 *
Calf adg indoors (g) 865 1042 **

84
Q

Spring-calving cows: early lactation for mature cows

A
  • Moderate digestibility grass silage ad
    libitum => okay – for limited time
  • Rationale: calving date match grass s
85
Q

Spring-calving cows: early lactation for first calvers

A
  • Need supplementation (1.5-2kg of
    concentrate) until turnout to pasture
86
Q

what does you ensure for good reproductive performance

A

To ensure good reproductive performance cannot tolerate any energy deficit pre-mating (until in-calf).

87
Q

in good BSC Autumn-calving cows , what deficit of energy can they tolerate

A

If in good BCS (> ~ 3.0), can tolerate an energy
deficit of ~1.5 UFL per day post-mating.

88
Q

in bad BSC Autumn-calving cows , what deficit of energy can they tolerate

A

If in poor BCS (~ 2.0), no deficit tolerated post
mating.

89
Q

Outwintering Suckler Cows
– Objective (1)
- Options (5)

A

Objective: To reduce winter feed costs
1. Strip grazing kale
2. Strip grazing yellow turnips
3. Urea treated straw
4. Deferred grass
5. Stubble turnips

90
Q

Alternative forage crops –
Pregnant suckler cows (~690 kg
LW
DAILY ADG
BCS

A

SLIDE 59

91
Q

Whole-crop Barley
Suckler cows: Winter diet (preg. + early lact.)

A

slide 60
Whole-crop barley silage can be offered as
a sole feed to suckler cows

92
Q

Minerals Mg/d* of beef cow

A

Cu - 150-400
Se - 3-5
I - 12-60
Co - 5-10
Mn - 335-415
Zn - 335-750

93
Q

is requirement for mineral higher or lower in suckler cow vs dairy cow

A

Requirement for minerals in the suckler cow is significantly lower than that of the
dairy cow

94
Q

what should be fed to calved cows on silage

A

Feed post-calver minerals to calved cows on silage.

95
Q

how many weeks pre calving minerals should be fed

A

Feed pre-calver mineral/vitamin for 6 weeks pre-calving. Critical trace minerals are
Copper, Iodine, Selenium.

96
Q

mineral inclusion rate

A

slide 62

97
Q

Minimum Forage Diets to bridge the gap to grass: (5)

A
  • Know the intake potential of cattle you are feeding:
    – Lactating sucker cow 12-13kg/dm/day; young cattle 350 kg 7-8kg/dm; store cattle 8
    9kg/dm.
  • Minimum amount of roughage:
    – 40% of overall diet (>25% of NDF from forage)
  • Priorities the use of grass towards animals with greatest feed requirement
  • Meal Specification
    – Filling the gap to grass
    – Simple low specification rations (CP14-16%; UFV>0.90)
    – Exception when straw is used as forage
  • Managing restricted forage feeding:
    – Build up concentrate slowly over 5-7 days
    – Feeding 5-7kg split feed to avoid digestive upsets.
    – Adequate feeding space for adult cattle 600mm/head
    – Set up additional trough space in yard if it cant achieve target
    – Regularly monitor BCS especially for Spring Calving Cows
98
Q

Minimum Forage Diets

A

slide 64

99
Q

what did Suckler Cows at Grange show

A

Suckler Cows at Grange showed that a calving interval of 367 days, pregnancy rate
of 94%

100
Q

what is the main factor limiting the reproductive performance of
suckler cows.

A

dietary energy

101
Q

when is critical time for cows nutrition

A

6 weeks before calving through to 6
weeks after service

102
Q

how to optimising cow fertility(3)

A
  1. Depends on careful management of BSC throughout the year
  2. Through good feeding management, reduces calving difficulties and day
    between calving and conception
  3. Improves profitability when feed requirements are matched to available
    cheap feeds
103
Q

breeding calendar for beef cows

A

288 days approx gestation
28 days: cow suckling calf (non cycling)
50 days: 2-3 cycles to get cow back in calf

104
Q

what is post partum anoestrus interval recognised as

A

the primary factor reducing reproductive efficiency in suckler production.

105
Q

what are theTwo main factors that affect the length of post partum anoestrus interval

A
  1. Nutrition status of the cow ( pre and post partum; BCS)
  2. Maternal offspring bonding
106
Q

what does pre calving BCS have a major effect on

A

the post calving interval (PPI) to first heat in suckler cows

107
Q

for beef cows what is the critical measure of nutritional adequacy is the BCS at calving

A

*<BSC 2 at calving= 2-3wks slower going back in calf

108
Q

what is the primary controller of the length of the PPI

A

PREPARTUM NUTRITION

109
Q

Proportion of cows showing estrus at
different times after calving

A

SLIDE 71

110
Q

At grass, what is done in order to maximise pregnancy rates,

A

the cows and heifers must
be offered a steady supply of high quality pasture. Ideally, swards should
have a pre-grazing herbage mass of 1,400 kg/DM/ha equivalent to a
herbage height of 10 to 12 cm.

111
Q

when should Fluctuations in feed supply be avoided

A

first two weeks after breeding

112
Q

what is protein needed for in beef cows

A

Protein requirements of beef cows for maintenance, milk production and
reproduction can be readily met from good quality grass.

113
Q

Effects of concurrent nutrition on embryo
survival rate in heifers

A

level of nutrition
low-low 66(Heifers) 70% (embryo survival)
low high: 65 71%
high high:60 65%
high-low: 56 38%

114
Q

what does The feed requirements of the sucker cow varies throughout the year with

A

stage of production

115
Q

what can be used to manage feeding
levels

A

a series of target condition scores

116
Q

what can optimise cow fertility

A

nutritional management
- thereby improving the economic efficiency of the enterprise

117
Q

what % DM IS
PIT SILAGE
bALes (600kg)

A

Pit Silage is assumed to be 20% DM
Bales assumed to be 600 kg @ 30% DM

118
Q

Ration Type
* Feeding restricted silage

A

– Dry cows & store cattle– protein 11-12%
– Cows with calves at foot, weanlings, in-calf heifers – protein
content 14%

119
Q

feeding ad lib straw

A

Feeding ad lib straw (no silage) – protein content – 18-20%

120
Q

Simple mix to do all classes of stock

A

60% barley – 25% soya hulls – 15% rapeseed meal – + Minerals

121
Q

how to calculate fodder supply
silage pit

A

Silage in Pit:
length (M) x width (M) x Av. height (M)

Convert volume
M3. to kg/DM

Multiply by 154
= tons of silage

122
Q

how to calculate fodder supply@
Baled Silage

A

weight varies with DM & density
(compaction) well packed at 25% DM are about 700kg

123
Q

Accommodation: Suckler Cow

A

Straw bedded ~ 4 m2/head
Slatted shed ~ 3 m2/head

124
Q

*Feed space required- (Suckler cow)

A

*Ad lid feeding~ 0.4 m/head
*Restricted roughage feeding~ 0.6m/head
*Concentrate/roots~ 0.6m/head

125
Q

list of Diseases / disorders of suckler
cows

A
  • Grass tetany
  • Copper deficiency
  • Mastitis
  • Summer mastitis
  • Bloat
  • Abortion (infectious and non infectious)
  • Bovine Viral diarrohea (BVD)
  • Leptospirosis
  • Liver fluke
  • External parasites
  • Lameness
  • Johnes disease

Botany (5 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions