“There’s Still Time”
by Chris Reinhardt, feedlot specialist
As we approach calving season, there may still be time to “save” your thin heifers and cows. If you have bred your cows to begin calving in late March or later, there’s time. However, if your cows have already begun calving, it’s too late to dramatically improve the reproductive performance of thin cows this coming breeding season.
Cows that are still 45 days from calving can be moved upward on the body condition scale, but care must be taken. Body condition score is primarily an issue of energy balance between what they’re consuming, what they require to maintain their body and grow the fetus, and what they are putting onto or taking off from their body stores. But feeding too much energy in the form of concentrates (grain or grain by-products) can lead to acidosis and wind up causing more harm than good.
The first step must be to sort off the very thin animals so that they can be provided a diet that targets their specific needs. There’s no sense in making thin, weak, young, or old, cows continue to compete with large, fat, aggressive cows. We’re trying to get additional nutrients to the thin cows and the aggressive cows will continue to take more than they need.
Next, visit with your extension professional or nutritionist as to the best way to get those thin cows some additional groceries. Grain, grain milling by-products, cubes, and high quality hay all can contribute to making up substantial ground on the body condition battle.
At a time of record-setting calf prices, the return on an investment of additional feed, focused on and directed toward those cows or heifers that will benefit most, will likely be positive.
