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Feeding Cattle During Drought

Once the grass is gone, the job shifts to keeping cows fed, watered and healthy on whatever feed you can find. The priorities are water first, then enough usable energy and protein, then watching the animals.

Water comes before feed

A cow that is short on water eats less and does worse, no matter how good the feed. Check every water source daily. Stock ponds shrink and get warm, muddy or stagnant in a drought, and wells and pumps can fail when demand is highest.

If water quality looks poor, ask your veterinarian or extension office about testing. Some water problems, including high salts or algae, can make cattle sick. Have a backup plan, such as hauling water, before you need it.

Cattle drink more in hot weather, and lactating cows drink more than dry ones. Count on peak demand when you plan, not average demand, and check tanks and floats for leaks or blockages.

Know what your feed really offers

Dry pasture and old forage can look like plenty but carry little protein and energy. Cattle may fill up and still lose condition. A forage test is the only way to know what you are feeding, and your extension agent can tell you how to sample properly.

With test results in hand, a nutritionist can help balance a ration to cover what is missing without wasting money. Do not guess at supplement amounts. Ask for a ration built for your cattle and your feed.

Protein shortfalls show up in poor use of low-quality forage, and energy shortfalls show up in falling body condition. Your nutritionist can tell which is limiting your cattle once the feed is tested.

• Test hay and other forage
• Ask for a ration from a nutritionist
• Check mineral intake
• Weigh or estimate feed actually delivered

Feed in a way that limits waste

Feed is expensive in a drought, and waste costs more than ever. Use feeders suited to your hay or feed type, and avoid dumping loose feed on muddy or dusty ground. Make sure all animals can eat without being pushed away.

Sort cattle when you can so thin cows, first-calf heifers and older cows are not competing with the biggest, boldest animals. Feeding groups by need often saves feed.

Keep feeding times regular. Cattle settle into a routine, and a predictable schedule cuts down on pushing at the feeder and on stress for thin animals.

Calves, early weaning and cow condition

Weaning calves earlier than normal can relieve pressure on thin cows, since lactation is a heavy demand. Early weaned calves need good feed and careful management, and they are more sensitive to stress and disease.

Talk with your veterinarian before weaning early so you can set up a health plan, and ask your nutritionist about what the calves need. Watch body condition on your 1 to 9 scale, and aim to keep cows from slipping too low before calving and breeding.

Health risks that rise in drought

Drought raises several risks at once. Cattle may eat plants they normally avoid, and drought-stressed forage and some feeds can carry toxins or build up nitrates. Dust, stress and crowding can bring respiratory trouble. Thin cattle are less able to fight infection.

Call your veterinarian for any sudden death, staggering, labored breathing or group illness. Do not treat on your own. Any treated animal must be held for the withdrawal time set on the label or by your vet before it goes for beef, and following that exactly protects the beef supply.

Keep good records of any animal that is treated, including the date, the animal and the vet's instructions, so withdrawal times are never missed.

Buying feed carefully

When you must buy hay or other feed, ask for a test or at least a description of the cutting, the field and the weed content. Watch for poisonous weeds in unfamiliar hay. Compare feeds on a cost per nutrient basis with help from your nutritionist, not just price per ton or bale.

Plan how you will store and handle the feed. Keep it dry, protected and easy to reach. Keep records for your lender and for any assistance application with USDA FSA.

Common mistakes

Common mistakes include assuming dry grass is enough, skipping water checks, feeding the whole herd the same way, and holding thin cows too long. Another is letting animals graze toxic plants because they are hungry.

If you feel overwhelmed, call your extension agent. Many have worked through droughts before and can help you sort options quickly.

• Do not guess at supplement amounts
• Do not ignore thin cows
• Do not feed unknown hay without a look and a test

More in Nutrition, Forage & Grazing

• Emergency Forage Options
• By-Product Feeds for Beef Cattle
• Limit Feeding Beef Cows
• Feed Bunk Management
• Reducing Feed Waste
• Feeding Weaned Calves