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Nutrition, Forage & GrazingRation Basics for Beef Cows
A good ration gives the cow what she needs at each stage of the year without wasting feed. The basics are simple, and the details are worth working out with someone who knows your forage.
Key points
- A ration supplies energy, protein, minerals, vitamins and water.
- Needs change with the stage of production, so adjust through the year.
- Use body condition on the 1-to-9 scale and forage tests as your guide.
- Call a vet and nutritionist before using urea, additives or questionable forage.
What a ration has to supply
Every cow needs energy, protein, minerals, vitamins and clean water. Energy keeps her body going and her weight steady, protein supports growth, milk and the unborn calf, and minerals and vitamins support reproduction, bones and the immune system.
Most of that comes from forage: pasture, hay or silage. Supplements fill the gaps that forage leaves. The aim is to feed the cow, not the calendar, so the ration should change as her needs change.
Because forage quality differs from field to field and year to year, a ration that worked last winter may not fit this winter. Testing and checking beat guessing.
Needs change by stage of production
A cow in mid-pregnancy needs less than a cow in late pregnancy, and a cow nursing a calf needs the most. Cows that are heifers or young cows are still growing and need extra on top of that.
Think of the year in stages: after weaning, mid-gestation, late gestation, early lactation and breeding. Ask your nutritionist or extension specialist for the targets that fit your herd and breed instead of using a general number.
Keep a simple note of the groups on your place and what each is being fed, so that when conditions change you know exactly which ration to adjust.
- Dry cow in mid-pregnancy: maintain condition
- Late pregnancy: needs rise as the calf grows
- Early lactation: highest demand, and rebreeding depends on it
- Young cows and heifers: growth plus production
Use body condition as your guide
Body condition score on the 1-to-9 scale tells you whether your ration is working. Cows that are slipping need more, and cows that are getting fat are being overfed. Learn to score by eye and by feel, and do it a few times a year.
Pay particular attention at calving and at breeding. Cows that are thin at calving tend to be slow to breed back. Ask your extension office for a body condition scoring guide or a training session.
Forage first, supplements second
Good pasture and good hay do most of the work. Supplements make sense when forage falls short in energy, protein or minerals, and the right choice depends on what the forage test shows. Do not buy a supplement because a neighbor uses it.
Feed additives, including ionophores, should only be used following label directions and the guidance of your veterinarian or nutritionist. Some products are safe for one class of cattle and dangerous for others, so ask before adding anything.
Hay and pasture also differ in how much of what the cow eats she can actually use, which is another reason to test rather than assume. A nutritionist can explain how that plays out with your forage.
Minerals and water
Free-choice minerals fill gaps in the forage, and the right mix depends on your region and forage. Ask a nutritionist or extension specialist about the needs in your area. Keep mineral feeders clean, protected from rain and well stocked.
Water is the most overlooked nutrient. Cows that do not drink enough do not eat enough. Check tanks and ponds often, and keep them clean and accessible in all weather.
Safety around feed
Urea and other non-protein nitrogen sources can poison cattle if mixed or fed incorrectly, and bloat, nitrate and prussic acid poisoning are real risks with some forages. Do not guess at any of it. Call your veterinarian and a nutritionist before using these products or feeding questionable forage.
Sudden changes in feed can cause digestive upset. Make changes gradually and watch the cattle closely.
Common mistakes and what to ask
Common mistakes include feeding without testing hay, ignoring condition score, changing feed suddenly, skimping on water and copying a neighbor's supplement.
Ask your nutritionist to balance a ration with your tested hay, ask your extension office about local forage issues and ask your veterinarian about feed additives and safety.
- Not testing forage
- Ignoring body condition
- Sudden feed changes
- Neglecting water
Sources and further reading
- Noble Research Institute
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln Beef
- Oklahoma State University Extension
- Kansas State University Research and Extension
Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.