Cow Calf Nutrition

Cow Calf Nutrition: Part IV

Weaning

  • Importance of understanding weaning protocols and their effects on calf health.

  • Calves may not readily accept weaning: "They Are Not Going to Like This!"

Sorting

  • The process of sorting calves during handling.

  • Working Chute: Utilized for sorting calves effectively.

  • Circular Route for Sorting: A specified circular pathway is beneficial for calf movement and handling.

    • Notice the practicality of a circular route for sorting.

  • Which Way Do I Go?: Potential confusion for calves during the sorting process.

Calf Management

Extensive vs. Intensive Systems

  • Extensive System:

    • Typically utilizes low quality forages.

    • May include strategies such as using crop residue as a low quality forage option.

  • Intensive System:

    • Focuses on feeding a high grain diet.

Protein Supplementation

  • Critical during the growing phase for calves.

  • Bypass protein supplementation can be valuable in certain growth stages.

Heifer Production

Key Considerations:

  • Selecting heifers at weaning:

    • Focus on low quality forages as part of an extensive system.

  • Avoiding excessive weight gain in heifers:

    • Fat deposition in the udder must be monitored to maintain reproductive efficiency.

Replacement Heifers

  • Selection Code: 3215 (specific criteria or methods used for selection).

Show Ring Participation

  • Consideration of participation in shows and fairs to enhance breeding stock.

Examples of Events:

  • Clay County Fair 2017 highlights and participation.

Heifer Management

  • Feeding Practices:

    • Prioritize feeding for frame size rather than finish to ensure proper development.

  • Feeding Separation:

    • Heifers should be fed separately from mature cows to prevent competition and stress.

  • Breeding Practices:

    • Heifers should be bred 20 days earlier than mature cows to align breeding schedules.

Intensive System Nutrition Concerns

  • Potential nutrition concerns for cow/calf operations:

    • Vitamin A deficiencies.

    • Molybdenum and Copper levels in regions, particularly Colorado.

    • Consideration of Selenium (Se), Zinc (Zn), and Iodine (I) levels in Washington and Idaho.

    • Importance of understanding local soil and land conditions for optimizing nutrition.

Supplementation Strategies

  • Vitamin A supplementation considerations:

    1. Access to green pasture (natural source of Vitamin A).

    2. Storage of Vitamin A in the liver for utilization during periods of lower intake.

    3. Kicking off calving earlier to align with better nutritional availability.

  • Note potential changes in genetics that may affect nutritional needs and supplementation strategies.