Nutrient Needs for Beef Cattle Chart

As ruminant animals, cattle take a digestive organisation that allows them to digest roughage, like hay and grass, and concentrates such as barley grain or dry distillers' grains, through the action of a diverse microbial community in the rumen. Cattle require energy, protein, water, vitamins and minerals in suitable amounts to provide adequate diet. Requirements volition differ depending on the animal's grade, historic period, condition, and stage of productionⁱ. Feed costs, including both grazed and conserved feed, are the greatest expense associated with beef cattle operations. Since nutrition is ofttimes the most important factor influencing reproductive functioning, managing feed resources at a reasonable toll to consistently achieve high reproductive rates will help ensure profitability for beef cattle operations. In the backgrounding and feedlot sectors, feed costs and feed conversion efficiency significantly bear upon profitability. Across all sectors of the beef cattle industry, feed quality, toll, and efficient digestion/absorption/conversion are primal factors in animal health, reproduction, performance and profitability.

On this Folio

• Key Points
• The Ruminant Digestive Arrangement
• Key Nutrients Required by Cattle
  • Energy
  • Poly peptide
  • Water
  • Minerals
  • Salt
  • Vitamins
• Feed Sources and Quality - Bear upon on Diet
• Factors Affecting Nutrient Requirements
• Conclusion
• Definitions

Key Points

• Gradual nutrition changes (over two to three weeks) are necessary to allow the rumen microbial population to adjust to changes in the diet
• Young, actively growing forages and legume blends tin can frequently meet the nutritional requirements for normal growth and maintenance of cattle herds.  Mature pastures, crop residues, or other low-quality forages may have reduced nutritive value, requiring supplementation of protein, free energy or additional vitamins and minerals to maintain optimal health
• Free energy is necessary for maintenance (feed digestion, core trunk functions, and activity requirements) and to support growth, lactation and reproduction. It accounts for the largest proportion of feed costs and is the nutrient required by cattle in the largest amount
• Neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) are indicators of the corporeality of fibre in a forage. Higher values indicate poorer digestibility and voluntary intake may be reduced
• Protein is required for maintenance, growth, lactation and reproduction. It is a component of muscles, the nervous system and connective tissue
• Water is an essential food for cattle, accounting for between fifty and eighty % of an animal's alive weight. Bereft h2o intake reduces fauna operation faster and more than dramatically than whatever other food deficiency
• At least seventeen minerals are required by beef cattle and are divided into two groups: macrominerals and microminerals
• Although minerals are required in small amounts for optimum beef cattle health, a deficiency can crusade significant reductions in growth, immune function and reproduction
• Mineral needs will vary between herds based on many factors, including h2o and feed sources, stress, animate being blazon and stage of production. There is no "i size fits all" mineral type or program
• Mineral toxicity may be indicated by decreased animal performance, anorexia, weight loss and diarrhea
• Vitamins back up many vital metabolic processes in cattle
• Provender is an economical source of nutrients; however, feed quality and mineral content tin can vary widely, so feed testing and appropriate supplementation may be necessary to meet nutritional requirements
• Most forage species have the highest quality at the vegetative stage, when leaves are lush and light-green, and stems are young and supple. At this stage, these forages may be able to supply nigh of the diet that the cattle require
• Knowledge of forage quality and animal requirements is necessary to formulate rations that will support and maintain a loftier airplane of diet
• Nutritional requirements of beef cattle are influenced by the stage of production

The Ruminant Digestive System

Ruminant animals have a complex digestive system with a four-chambered breadbasket. Each chamber (reticulum, rumen, omasum and abomasum) plays a function in digesting livestock feeds. Microorganisms colonize the reticulum and rumen (often collectively termed the reticulo-rumen) and allow cattle to assimilate feedstuffs loftier in fibre, such as grasses, straw and other forages. Balancing the requirements of the rumen microorganisms and the animal is essential for fauna performance.

Cattle take large bites of feed and eat with petty chewing. Afterwards, they regurgitate masses of feed back up the esophagus and into their mouths, where it is chewed into smaller pieces and swallowed. This process is known every bit rumination or chewing cud. Between 60 to lxx% of digestion occurs in the reticulo-rumen, which acts like a fermentation vat where bacteria and protozoa convert most of the plant fibre and carbohydrates to acerb, propionic or butyric acid (brusk concatenation fatty acids) and convert much of the ingested protein to microbial protein. The short chain fatty acids are captivated through the reticulo-rumen wall and are used as energy in body tissues. Some of the sugar, starch and pectin may laissez passer through the rumen and are then digested in the abomasum and pocket-size intestine.

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Microbes in the rumen require an anaerobic (oxygen costless) surroundings with a slightly acidic pH range (half-dozen.5 - seven.0), a supply of poly peptide (or non-protein nitrogen) and carbohydrates to feed the microbial populationⁱⁱ. The type of feed influences growth of the bacteria. Different rumen microbes prefer different types of carbohydrates (starch, cellulose, hemicellulose, starch, and pectin) and volition increase or decrease in number depending upon the ratio of different carbohydrates within the diet. Because the various bacteria and protozoa digest cellulose, hemicellulose and starch differently, sudden changes to cattle diets can touch on rumen action. For example, a rapid modify to a loftier energy diet with more grain can result in digestive disorders such as bloat and acidosis. Long periods of acidosis tin can too damage the rumen wall, potentially allowing bacteria to colonize the liver, causing abscessesⁱⁱⁱ. For these reasons, gradual changes (over two to three weeks) are necessary to permit the rumen microbial population to adjust to changes in the diet. Nutrients that are not used for the microbes' growth pass out of the reticulo-rumen to supply nutrients for the fauna's growth and reproduction.

Key Nutrients Required by Cattle

Young, actively growing forages and legume blends tin can oftentimes meet the nutritional requirements for normal growth and maintenance of cattle herds. Mature pastures, crop residues, or other depression-quality forages may take reduced nutritive value, requiring supplementation of poly peptide, energy or additional vitamins and minerals to maintain optimal wellness. Certain nutrients are required in the daily ration, while others can be manufactured and stored in the body.

Cattle crave five fundamental nutrients:

• energy
• protein
• water
• minerals
• vitamins

Free energy

Energy is necessary for maintenance (feed digestion, core body functions, and activeness requirements) and to back up growth, lactation, and reproduction^1. It accounts for the largest proportion of feed costs and is the nutrient required by cattle in the largest amount. The components of feed that determine its energy content include carbohydrates, fats and proteins. On a feed exam, free energy content is commonly expressed as full digestible nutrients (TDN); however, more than precise terms such as metabolizable energy (ME) or cyberspace energy (NE) for maintenance (NE_m) or production (NE_g) may exist preferred by nutritionists. These terms better reflect the amount of energy from feed that contributes to animal productivity. Free energy deficiency caused by low intake or poor feed quality will limit growth, decrease milk production, reduce body condition, and (depending on timing and elapsing) may take negative consequences for reproduction.

Gross energy (GE) is the total amount of energy in the feed. But not all this free energy is available to the animal. Feed energy is lost as it passes through the animal and is excreted as feces, urine, various gases, and rut. These losses are a normal outcome of feed digestion and the amount of energy lost at each step differs based on the quality of the feed. Digestible energy (DE) provides an indication of the portion of energy that the animal tin digest, with the help of the rumen microbes. Metabolizable energy (ME) is the amount of energy available to the animal for metabolism and body functions later on losses in free energy from rumen fermentation (carbon dioxide, methane) and urine accept been deemed for. Internet energy (NE) is the amount that is available to the animal to maintain itself, abound, produce milk and reproduce.

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Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF, %) indicates the amount of fibre content in the plant. Loftier levels of NDF (higher up 70%) will restrict animal intake. More mature forages will have higher NDF levels.

Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF, %) measures the least digestible portions of the fodder plants, such as cellulose and lignin. High ADF indicates poor digestibility of the feed. High quality legumes generally have ADF values betwixt 20-35%, while grasses tin can range from 30-45%.

Neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) are indicators of the amount of fibre in a forage. Higher values bespeak poorer digestibility and voluntary intake may exist reduced.

NDF is a measure of the "bulkiness" of the diet and is mainly hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin simply due to limitations in the assay it also includes a portion of the protein and insoluble ash in the plant. When NDF increases, animals consume less. ADF measures cellulose and lignin and is an indication of digestibility and energy intake. When plants mature, lignin content increases, resulting in higher ADF and reduced digestibility. Feeds high in ADF are less digestible than those high in starches and sugars. The starches and sugars in feed are classified as non-structural carbohydrates (NSC). Fifty-fifty in forages, NSC are an of import source of energy.

Protein

Poly peptide is required for maintenance, growth, lactation and reproduction. It is a component of muscles, the nervous system and connective tissue^one . Poly peptide requirements depend on cattle age, growth charge per unit, pregnancy and lactation status. Young, growing cattle, too every bit those in tardily pregnancy or lactation, have increased poly peptide requirements.

Nearly protein that ruminants ingest is cleaved down by the rumen microorganisms and resynthesized as microbial protein. Forages comprise crude protein (CP) in two forms. The greatest portion of protein in provender is referred to as truthful poly peptide, but forages likewise contain low amounts of non-protein nitrogen (NPN), which rumen microbes can use to synthesize microbial protein.

True poly peptide in forages can be further classified equally rumen undegradable protein (RUP or rumen bypass protein) and rumen degradable protein (RDP). RUP are peptides and amino acids that are digested in the abomasum and absorbed in the minor intestine, while RDP is degraded or broken down by the microbial population in the rumen into ammonia and volatile fat acids. Microorganisms in the rumen combine the ammonia supplied by RDP or other non-protein nitrogen sources (e.g. urea) with rumen digestible carbohydrates to synthesize microbial crude protein (MCP). MCP is digested in the abomasum, with the resultant amino acids absorbed in the minor intestine. The amount of protein that reaches the small intestine depends upon the availability of RDP and the rumen digestible carbohydrate. If energy is scarce in the diet, surplus ammonia is converted to urea in the liver and so lost through urine. If poly peptide is scarce in the diet, digestibility of fibre decreases due to diminished microbial activity and muscle will be degraded to meet the brute's requirements for amino acids for core trunk functions.

Microbial protein makes up shut to 70% of all poly peptide captivated from the small intestine and the protein contributions from microbes may be shut to 100% for cattle fed low-quality fodder.

In most cow-dogie diets, forages with adequate digestibility will provide enough MCP to meet the cows' requirements. Simply, for animals with higher poly peptide demands, like growing calves or lactating cows, information technology tin exist beneficial to feed proteins that featherbed the rumen and are absorbed in the small intestine, improving protein bioavailability. Extra poly peptide can be provided by feeds that are loftier in RUP, like alfalfa dehydrated pellets, distillers' grains, or alternative feeds like canola repast. About forages have higher levels of RDP, specially legumes.

During summertime months, while forages and legumes are actively growing, they may supply up to twenty% crude protein (CP) with a high level of RDP, just during the wintertime, poly peptide levels drop off dramatically. Native pasture, for example, may test as depression as 3-7% CP. Putting up good quality feed is key to supplying the beefiness herd with adequate quality provender sources through the winter⁴.

Water

H2o is an essential nutrient for cattle, accounting for between l and 80 percent of an animal'south live weight. Insufficient h2o intake reduces animal performance faster and more dramatically than any other nutrient deficiency. For livestock to maximize feed intake and production, they require daily access to palatable water of adequate quality and quantity. Factors that determine water consumption include air and water temperature, humidity, wet content of the feed/provender, cattle type (calf, yearling, bull, cow), the physiological state of the animal (gestation, maintenance, growing, lactating) and water quality.

Total dissolved solids (TDS) is the main indicator of water quality and is a measure of dissolved inorganic salts in h2o. TDS is impacted by high or low pH levels, sulphates, nitrates, salinity, excessive mineral levels, algae and leaner. Testing water sources to ensure that cattle accept access to adequate amounts of quality h2o is important.

The four main functions of water in the body are:

• to aid eliminate waste product products of digestion and metabolism
• a major component of secretions (milk, saliva) as well equally individual and fetal growth
• as an aid in trunk's thermoregulation processes through evaporation of water/sweat from the skin's surface and respiratory tract
• to regulate blood pressure^five

Read more about water requirements for beef cattle here.

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Minerals

At to the lowest degree seventeen minerals are required by beefiness cattle and are divided into two groups: macrominerals and microminerals. Macrominerals are those required in relatively large amounts for bodily functions, while micro or trace minerals are required in much smaller amounts.

The seven macrominerals required by cattle are calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl) and sulphur (S). Macrominerals are required in amounts over 100 parts per million (ppm) and are often expressed on a percent (%) dry matter (DM) basis of the beast's diet.

Beefiness cattle require ten microminerals, as well referred to as trace minerals. These microminerals, required in relatively small amounts are usually expressed in parts per one thousand thousand, (ppm) or mg/kg, rather than equally a percentage of the nutrition. They are chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iodine (I), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn).

Producers strive to provide adequate levels of macro and microminerals without over-supplementing, which increases costs, can create nutritional antagonisms, and increases potential for mineral loss through manure and urine⁶.

Minerals are required for several functions:

• skeletal development, bone, tooth formation and maintenance (includes Ca, P, Mg, Cr)
• energy, growth, immunity, and reproduction (includes P, Cu, Zn, Mn, Se)
• milk product (includes Ca and P)
• nervous system function and carbohydrate metabolism (Mg, K, Na, Cl, South, Co, I, Fe)

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Although minerals are required in relatively small amounts for optimum beef cattle health, a deficiency can crusade significant reductions in growth, allowed function and reproduction. The concentration of private minerals in forages varies greatly depending on soil, constitute, and direction factors. Information technology is important to include mineral analysis of forages as part of regular feed testing. There are as well several interactions that can occur between minerals, vitamins and water or feed sources that can limit availability or absorption. Every bit a effect, the minerals that are actually available to the cattle may be much lower than anticipated because of these interactions. Even though concentrations found in forages may announced to be sufficient, availability to the animal may exist significantly less. This tin crusade deficiencies which may not exist noticed past producers until a significant reproductive or health issue arises.

In this blog, a Saskatchewan producer explains the problems that he experienced with copper deficiency.

Dr. Cheryl Waldner, NSERC/BCRC Industrial Enquiry Chair in One Wellness and Production-Limiting Diseases, and Professor at the Western Higher of Veterinarian Medicine explains that first and second calf heifers are well-nigh likely to exhibit signs of copper deficiency, such every bit lower conception rates. The cost of open cattle can quickly impact profitability. Waldner suggests that a properly counterbalanced, palatable mineral mix exist offered year-round to ensure optimal herd wellness and fertility.  Recent enquiry in Saskatchewan revealed that forages sampled in bound and fall contained inadequate levels of copper and zinc for beefiness cows and growing calves in all soil zones. Additionally, upward to 43% of the cows involved in the written report were deficient in copper. Producers may notice some early signs of copper deficiency manifesting as a brownish or reddish tinge in black haired cattle.

Other problems that tin can arise due to mineral deficiencies include grass and winter tetany, white muscle disease, weak bones, hairless calves, goiter, scours, foot rot, retained placentas, low weaning weights, and reduced fertility.

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Trace mineral supplements are divided into three groups: inorganic, organic and hydroxy trace minerals.

Inorganic minerals are bonded to an inorganic molecule such as sulphate or oxide. They are usually less expensive but frequently take more variability in formulations and are less bioavailable. Inorganic minerals are frequently a offset option for producers due to affordability but may cede availability and absorption. The absorption of inorganic mineral from the gastrointestinal tract tin be less than 5 percentage^seven.  In sure instances, such as with copper, inorganic minerals may be more than prone to antagonisms with other minerals⁸. Simply feeding more inorganic mineral to offset these potential issues volition not be successful and may crusade more problems if levels of detail minerals become too loftier.

• Organic (chelated) minerals are bonded to a carbon containing molecule. These are usually more than expensive simply take improved absorption and availability to the creature. Producers by and large utilize chelated minerals if mineral antagonisms exist in their expanse, such equally high molybdenum or sulphur, which reduces copper availability. Chelated minerals are also used when animals are stressed, such equally during weaning, or to ensure a high nutritional plane for procedures such as synchronization or artificial insemination on heifers.

• Hydroxy trace minerals have a crystalline structure that protects metallic ions and allows trace minerals to featherbed rumen digestion, thereby increasing bioavailability. Often available at a mid-range toll, they are being utilized past some producers for cattle in high stress situations, such equally weaning or artificial insemination.

With improved trace mineral absorption, producers report heavier weaning weights, increased average daily proceeds, improved reproductive efficiency, improved calving outcomes, and fewer wellness issues. Some also report reduced incidence of pinkeye, foot rot, scours and respiratory issues.

Mineral needs will vary between herds based on many factors, including water and feed sources, stress, brute type and stage of production. In that location is no "one size fits all" mineral type or plan. Many mineral mixtures are bachelor on the market place, from loose mineral that can be offered free choice or mixed into a ration, to various molasses-based lick tubs that contain vitamins, minerals, and often some protein.

When rations incorporate grass hay, alfalfa, or a mixture of the two, calcium and phosphorus unremarkably need to be supplemented in a 1:i ratio (one part calcium to one part phosphorus). When feeding cereal fodder rations, such equally oat or barley greenfeed, a 2:1 or even 3:1 mineral mixture may be required to provide a balanced mineral mixture. Be certain to consult with a nutritionist to ensure proper supplementation.

Producers must monitor animals for signs of deficiencies or potential toxicity, and work with their veterinarian and nutritionist to ensure adequate levels and to correct whatever issues. Mineral toxicity may be indicated by decreased animal performance, anorexia, weight loss and diarrhea. It can lead to urinary calculi from backlog phosphorus or inadequate calcium to phosphorus ratio, grass tetany from excess potassium leading to reduced absorption of magnesium, and polioencephalomalacia from excess sulphur. Some minerals such equally copper, tin go "tied up" or spring to other minerals present in feed and water. In these instances, the mineral will not be bachelor to the cattle in the amounts required. If producers are using feed tests to balance mineral needs, animals may still be deficient due to reduced bioavailability.

An fauna'due south diet or ration volition determine the type of mineral mix required to come across animal requirements. Grass is often low in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and sodium, while alfalfa or other legumes are generally higher in calcium.

The following characterization contains the breakdown of a loose mineral that would be considered a iii:i calcium to phosphorus ratio and may be used by producers feeding cereal greenfeed forages.

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Cattle will oft demonstrate a preference for certain mineral mixes or molasses lick tubs, which can create challenges in terms of daily intake when feeding complimentary selection. While recommended mineral intake is near 60 grams (2 ounces) per head per twenty-four hours, when fed complimentary choice some cattle will over-swallow mineral, while others may avert it altogether. Monitor the herd to determine which cattle are frequently at the mineral stations and which cattle may not be consuming adequate amounts. Some producers report better intake when they offering choices of different mineral mixes, such as loose and lick tubs. Others report that moving the mineral stations a picayune further from water sources to encourage grazing on less utilized areas of pasture caused mineral consumption to drop off slightly.

Ensure that there are enough stations for the number of cattle; a common recommendation is one mineral station for every 20-30 caput. When feeding cows with calves at side, more stations may be necessary to ensure that the calves have access, every bit dominant, mature cows will oft outcompete calves for mineral. When possible, work with a nutritionist to codify an appropriate mineral blend for each operation.

In the following video from Beefiness Research School, Dr. John McKinnon explains what factors producers should consider when designing a mineral plan. He besides provides tips for achieving ideal consumption.

Salt

Examples of salt blocks in diverse formulations. Photo credit Tamara Carter.

Although the salt requirement for beef cattle is relatively low, cattle will seek out table salt. Loose salt mixed into mineral blends can assist increase intake to ensure acceptable amounts are being consumed. Common salt can also be used to encourage cattle to graze underutilized areas of pastures, past placing further abroad from water and areas where cattle tend to congregate.

Many producers choose an iodized table salt block to ensure acceptable iodine intake, especially in areas known to take iodine scarce soils. The normal requirement for iodine in a beef cattle diet is 0.five ppm of the total diet and can usually exist provided with iodized salt blocks. Boosted iodine may be necessary if feeding comprehend crops such as brassicas including turnips, rapeseed or kale which comprise compounds that inhibit iodine uptake from the gut. While higher cost, salt blocks that incorporate trace minerals such equally copper, zinc, cobalt and selenium may be used for herds that have experienced problems with foot rot. While these salt blocks tin can supply pocket-size amounts of sure minerals, additional supplementation with loose or lick tub formulations may withal be necessary to provide and maintain acceptable mineral levels.

Vitamins

Vitamins support many vital metabolic processes in cattle. They are inorganic compounds that are required in pocket-sized amounts. The age and production condition of the fauna will touch on vitamin requirements. Vitamins A, D, E and K are fatty soluble and are stored in the creature's fat tissue and liver. Because of this, they practice not need to be supplemented daily if the animal has adequate reserves. These vitamins are present in feed sources and are responsible for central metabolic processes within the animal, and thus are important to monitor to ensure deficiencies practice not develop. Fresh, leafy forages generally comprise adequate levels of vitamin A and East, however, drought, forage processing and extended storage periods tin reduce levels. While supplementation of A, D, E and K may non be required during the summer months, supplementation is recommended during winter months, especially prior to calving. The primary functions of vitamins A, D, E and K are:

• Vitamin A - essential for os, teeth and nervus development, eyesight, kidney function, and soft tissue maintenance. Vitamin A is often low in newborn calves, and young animals mostly have smaller reserves than older animals. Deficiencies, which may manifest initially as rough hair coat, tedious eyes, diarrhea and pneumonia, can progress and crusade reduced bone development and density, decreased fertility, dark blindness, reduced feed efficiency and increased susceptibility to disease. Cows with deficiencies may abort, take weak calves, or be hard to settle. Vitamin A is stored in the liver, but without an outside source, these liver stores will be depleted subsequently two to three months. Carotene is converted to vitamin A from beta carotene, found in light-green forages and yellow corn,⁹ in the small intestine. Conditions that may require supplementation include periods of greater stress, such as weaning or transportation, feeding stored forages during winter that accept reduced carotene levels, and feeds or water with higher nitrate levels.
• Vitamin D - required for calcium and phosphorus metabolism, as well equally teeth and bone evolution. It is synthesized by the sunday or past eating dominicus cured forages. Early signs of deficiency include poor appetite, decreased growth in calves, weakness, stiff gait and laboured animate. Soft basic, rickets, and bloated joints develop if deficiencies continue. Meaning animals with a vitamin D deficiency may abort or have weak, deformed or stillborn calves.
• Vitamin E - required for muscle development and occurs naturally in feedstuffs.
• Vitamin K - required for blood clotting and is ordinarily sufficient in green forages. Rumen bacteria mostly make sufficient quantities of vitamin Thousand from feed sources. Feeding some clovers, particularly if mouldy, interferes with the production of vitamin 1000 due to a compound called dicoumarol nowadays in clover.

Vitamin C and the B vitamins (thiamin, niacin, choline) are water soluble. Calves receive vitamin B from milk, and one time the rumen becomes functional, these vitamins are synthesized by rumen microorganisms and do not usually crave supplementation unless free energy and poly peptide balance in the diet is non acceptable^half-dozen.

Feed Sources and Quality - Impact on Nutrition

Cattle tin can utilize a wide multifariousness of feedstuffs. Different feeds have different benefits and limitations when it comes to supplying nutrients:

• forages - loftier in fibre, lower in energy, with varying poly peptide content; examples are hay, grass, greenfeed, silage
• grains - loftier in energy and depression in fibre, moderate to high protein content; examples are corn, oats, barley, wheat
• oilseeds - high in protein, loftier in energy, high in fatty, variable fibre content; examples include soybeans, canola meal
• past-products - variable nutrient content, may exist high moisture; examples are distillers' grains, bakery waste, grain screenings, hulls

Each of these feeds provides different nutrients, with each nutrient fulfilling specific roles in cattle growth, maintenance and reproductive health. Balancing food costs with the intended management objectives for the cattle is cardinal. While forages are a foundation of most feeding systems, backgrounders and feedlots will utilize more grains and past-products in their rations. In the cow/calf sector, forages brand upwardly the largest portion of the animals' nutrition, both while grazing during summer and in the winter while consuming conserved feeds. Cattle producers often use grains and alternative feeds to provide acceptable nutrition and reduce feed costs. Optimizing the growth rate of rumen microbes to amend fermentation and microbial growth requires a remainder of feedstuffs.

Forage is an economical source of nutrients; nevertheless, feed quality and mineral content can vary widely, so feed testing and appropriate supplementation may be necessary to meet nutritional requirements. Fodder quality directly impacts animate being functioning, growth, reproduction and profitability. Well-nigh provender species have the highest quality at the vegetative stage, when leaves are lush and light-green, and stems are young and supple. At this stage, these forages may be able to supply most of the nutrition that the cattle require. Harvesting and feeding high quality hay can reduce the corporeality of supplemental minerals and vitamins that may exist required.

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The level of minerals in a fodder volition depend on many factors including soil type, plant species, stage of growth, the weather, and overall management of the stand up. Maturity at harvest, also as harvest techniques and storage will also impact forage quality. In addition, the absorption of trace minerals from forages in the alimentary canal can be very low. Every bit Dr. John McKinnon explains in this blog, antagonistic interactions between minerals can reduce levels captivated even further, sometimes even to zero.

Low quality forages more often than not reduce voluntary intake, which can outcome in protein and energy deficiencies. When high quality forage (vegetative growth) is consumed, dry matter intake tends to be 2.five-3.0% of alive body weight. When provender is of lower quality, dry out matter intake tin can drib closer to i.eight% of body weight, reducing poly peptide, energy, and mineral consumed. In some instances, when the animal's needs are not being met (e.g. feeding a ration containing very low quality forages or straw during cold temperatures in winter), they may actually over-consume depression quality feed, as they attempt to derive plenty energy from the feed. This over-consumption of beefy, depression quality feed can cause compaction, which prevents feed from moving through the digestive tract and can cause decease. Analyzing feed samples will provide an indication of protein and energy levels available. While feeding lower quality feedstuffs can exist an economical way to stretch feed supplies, producers must monitor consumption and creature condition to avoid potential issues with nether or over consumption of low quality feed. Use of tools such every bit the Wintertime Feed Cost Comparing calculator tin help producers with cost comparisons.

Cognition of provender quality and animal requirements is necessary to formulate rations that will support and maintain a high plane of nutrition. While most producers recognize that grazing forages can provide an economical source of nutrition, the relationship between forage quality and profitability is ofttimes unappreciated. Producers must manage grazing in response to environmental weather and pasture growth during the season to avoid either overgrazing, which reduces forage yield, and under grazing which can lower the overall provender quality due to over-mature vegetation and may also increase provender waste. Proper grazing direction tin back up both nutrition and profitability.

Factors Affecting Nutrient Requirements

Stage of Production

Nutritional requirements of beef cattle are influenced by the phase of production. This product cycle, which is based upon a well-managed, good for you cow in good condition (Body Condition Score = iii) maximizes profitability past producing a dogie every 365 days. The annual production cycle, based upon ideal length of time for each phase, includes:

1. Calving, postpartum, early lactation (day 0 to twenty-four hours 82)
2. Formulation, early gestation, tardily lactation (day 83 to twenty-four hours 199)
3. Mid gestation (day 200 to day 274)
4. Late gestation, pre-partum (24-hour interval 275 to day 365).

Stage 1 - begins at calving. This is the period of greatest nutritional demand for the cow. She must lactate, repair her reproductive tract, resume oestrus cycles, breed, and if she is a young moo-cow, she must too go along growth and development. Her voluntary feed intake is highest at this indicate and as this blog explains, she requires a high free energy and protein diet of at least 62% TDN and 11% CP. If she is not fed to meet nutritional needs, she will lose weight and may not rebreed.

Phase 2 - begins with conception. The cow is at present supporting herself, her calf (through lactation) and her fetus. Nutritional demands are still high equally she reaches peak lactation but are lowered past 8-13% compared to the first phase. Cows that produce more milk will have higher nutrient requirements. The fetus is pocket-size, and its growth is tedious, but cows and heifers often lose weight during this time.

Stage 3 - is when the cow is in mid-gestation. Immediately later on calves are weaned, nutritional needs are at their lowest due to the end of lactation. Energy and protein requirements drib past up to 35% when compared to the tiptop demand. Fetal growth remains tedious, and voluntary feed intake is the lowest during this menses. This is the best time to put weight dorsum on cows to help them gain condition¹⁰. See the trunk status  information to larn more nigh how to ensure beef cattle are in ideal condition.

Phase 4 - is the final phase prior to calving, and cows must exist in good body condition to give birth to a good for you calf, produce milk and re-breed quickly. Free energy and protein needs increase past xx% compared to mid-gestation. During this period, the fetus tin gain up to 60 pounds and the placenta is growing as well. Nearly 75% of fetal growth occurs during this phase¹¹. Cows need to proceeds 0.5 kg (1 lb) to 0.68 kg (ane.five lbs) per day, while weight gain for heifers should target twice that amount. The cow has reduced rumen capacity due to the growth of the calf, so a reduction in feed intake usually occurs in the latter portion of this phase.

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Producers often modify their feeding strategies during the annual production bicycle of the beef cow to align with her free energy and protein needs as she moves through the cycle. For instance, lower quality feeds such as straw reduce costs during Stage three, when the moo-cow's nutritional requirements are at her lowest. In Phase iv, as the rumen has less room for feed due to the growing fetus, she will benefit from college quality feed such equally good quality alfalfa hay or some grain to provide actress energy. A mutual rule of thumb is 55-60-65% for total digestible nutrients (TDN) and 7-nine-11% for rough poly peptide (CP) for mid gestation, late gestation, and lactation. More information on nutritional requirements can be tin be found here.

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Producers oft divide the herd into different feeding groups to tailor the feeding program to provide an adequate level of nutrition. These groups may include:

Group i - Mature cows in good condition - Average quality hay supplemented with grain or pellets, minerals, fortified salt and vitamins, will generally meet the nutritional needs of this group.

Group ii - Bred replacement heifers and second calf heifers - Young, growing animals exercise not compete finer for feed with mature cows. Heifers crave good quality hay, silage or alternative feeds, or grain to meet their needs for growth and evolution. These animals are still growing and gaining body weight, in addition to developing the fetus. These animals may benefit from organic (chelated) or hydroxy trace mineral supplements, which have greater bioavailability, to support growth and reproduction.

Group 3 - Sparse, one-time cows - These cows will need actress free energy, particularly during winter months. These cattle may do good from additional vitamin and mineral programs to avoid deficiencies.

Group four - Yearling steers, bulls - Steers and bulls will require different feeding programs depending on their size and if they are on a maintenance program or are backgrounding or finishing.

If the ration is based on straw or low-quality hay, or if feed intake is limited, it is even more important to separate the herd into different feeding groups to match the nutritional needs of each group. Employ feed testing and ration balancing software like Cowbytes to determine the appropriate ration and amounts of feed for each group.

Decision

Cattle require energy, poly peptide, water, vitamins and minerals in adequate amounts for optimal nutrition. The requirements for these nutrients will vary depending upon the class, historic period, condition, and stage of production of the beast. Environmental factors volition too influence animal diet and nutrient levels both in the feed and water sources. Feed costs represent the greatest expense associated with beefiness product. Nutrition is the virtually of import factor for cow fertility, which is a primary driver of profitability. Supplemental vitamin and mineral programs can improve livestock health, immune function, performance and fertility.

Each operation is unique; work with a nutritionist to identify and correct nutritional deficiencies early, before herd health and profitability is compromised. Place groups of cattle that may require additional or customized feeding strategies. Feeding merely depression-quality feedstuffs to relieve feed costs will generally increment reproductive losses, unless offset by what is likely to exist a more than expensive supplementation plan. A properly balanced ration volition improve cattle performance, productivity and ultimately profitability.

Definitions

Acrid detergent fibre (ADF) - a chemical analysis that estimates the total fibre (including boxy lignin) in the feed. A high ADF indicates reduced digestibility and likely lower voluntary feed intake.

Amino acids - nitrogen-containing molecules that are the building blocks used to create protein in the body.

Bachelor poly peptide - the portion of crude poly peptide that can exist digested by the animate being. Information technology represents the proportion of total poly peptide after deducting the ADF-Due north fraction of a feed.

Carbohydrate - a source of dietary energy that includes starches, sugars, pectins, cellulose and hemicellulose. All carbohydrates contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, and are normally divided into two types: structural (fibre from plant wall) and non-structural (sugars and starches from constitute jail cell contents).

Cellulose - a fibrous carbohydrate that is the main part of institute cell walls.

Chelated mineral - a chemic bail formed between an organic molecule and a mineral that increases mineral bioavailability to the animate being and tin reduce excretion of excess minerals in manure.

Crude protein (CP) - an estimate of the full protein content of a feed determined by analyzing the nitrogen content of the feed and multiplying the issue past half-dozen.25. Rough protein includes true protein and not-protein nitrogen sources such as ammonia, amino acids and nitrates.

Digestible energy (DE) - the apparent energy that is available to the animate being by digestion, measured as the deviation between gross free energy content of a feed and the free energy contained in the animal's feces.

Fat soluble vitamins - stored in the animal'due south fat reserves or liver, including A, D, East, and K.

Hemicellulose - a carbohydrate found in plant jail cell walls that is more than circuitous in structure than sugars but less complex than cellulose.

International unit (IU) - a standard unit of potency of a biological amanuensis, such as a vitamin, hormone, vaccine, or antibiotic.

Neutral detergent fibre (NDF) - an insoluble fraction containing all institute jail cell wall components left later humid a feed sample in a neutral detergent solution. A high NDF indicates lower digestibility and voluntary feed intake.

Not-poly peptide nitrogen (NPN) - urea and ammonia are compounds that can be used by the microorganisms in the rumen to class true protein, that can so be converted to meat or milk by the animals. When feeding low quality, low protein feeds, urea can help the ruminal bacteria to create truthful protein.

Non-structural saccharide - comprised of sugar, starch and pectin, this is the non-NDF fraction of feedstuffs.

Rumen degradable protein (RDP) - the portion of dietary protein that is degraded in the rumen. It feeds the rumen bacteria, supplying microbial protein.

Rumen undegraded protein (RUP) - the portion of dietary protein that escapes degradation past ruminal microorganisms and passes into the pocket-size intestine where it is digested and absorbed.

Structural carbohydrate - the fibrous, cell wall or back up construction of the plant, containing cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin.

Water soluble vitamins - include the B complex vitamins and vitamin C. They are generally not supplemented to cattle afterwards ii months of age, due to the ability of rumen microbes to manufacture them in acceptable amounts¹².

References

1. Hamilton, T. 2015. Basic Beef Cattle Nutrition. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture.
2. Meat and Livestock Australia Express. 2006. Beef Cattle Diet.
3. Guyer, P.Q. 1976. Employ of Energy Values in Ration Formulation. G76-321. University of Nebraska.
4. Parish, J.A. 2008. Protein in Beefiness Cattle Diets. The Beefiness Site.
5. Alberta Ministry building of Agriculture. 2005. Water Requirements for Livestock.
6. Rasby, R.J., A.50. Berger, D.Due east. Bauer, and D.R. Brink. 2011. Minerals and Vitamins for Beefiness Cows. University of Nebraska.
7. McKinnon, J. 2017. More than Questions on Mineral Nutrition. Canadian Cattlemen Magazine.
8. Drovers. 2011. When to Use Chelated Trace Minerals.
9. Bailey, E. 2017. University of Missouri Extension. Vitamins for Beef Cattle.
10. Hall, J.B. 2009. Diet and Feeding of the Moo-cow-Calf Herd:Production Cycle Nutrition and Nutrient Requirements of Cows, Pregnant Heifers and Bulls. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Virginia State University.
11.   The Cattle Site. 2013. The Almanac Production Wheel. world wide web.thecattlesite.com.
12. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Diplomacy. 2012. Definitions of Feed Manufacturing and Livestock Nutrition Terms.

This topic was final revised on March 23, 2022 at 7:53 AM.

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Source: https://www.beefresearch.ca/research-topic.cfm/beef-cattle-nutrition-107

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