Page 34 - MWC 2-2-2023s

Don’t Restrict Energy This Winter The Midwest Cattleman · February 2, 2023 · P34

By Garth Ruff, Beef Cattle Field Specialist, OSU Extension
Are you having trouble to a point where she will breed still overpriced when you con-
keeping body condition on back in a timely fashion. sider dry matter lost.
grazing livestock? Do you How do we address this lack Tubs – Too often in these
have heifers or ewe lambs of energy in a pasture-based instances I’ve seen tubs re-
that struggle getting rebred? system? Supplementation lied on as a cure-all. Look at
If so, there is a good chance in some form or fashion is the analysis of a tub and the
that a lack of available energy the most likely response, but ingredients and then com-
in your pasture or ration may supplement strategies vary pare the cost. Tubs may have
be the culprit. greatly in effectiveness and a place in stocker situations Ohio State looking at the
I have these types of dis- cost. providing weaned calves with supplemental energy require-
cussions with producers fair- Additional forage, AKA some protein, but consider- ments of third trimester bred
ly often, and usually (not Hay – This strategy can work ing the cost and energy pro- heifers in muddy conditions
always) supplementing ad- depending on the class of an- vided, they are likely not cost vs those in dry conditions
ditional energy into the diet imal and quality of the hay. A effective in providing sup- demonstrated that only 2.5
seems to aid in rectifying the high quality, 2nd or 3rd cut- plemental energy to grazing pounds of corn was needed to
situation. ting, well-kept round bale of livestock. Also, not all tubs maintain body condition. At
As managers we must re- hay can often meet the needs are created equal. To a degree $7/bushel corn that is a cost
member that livestock uti- of mature animals of the herd. you get what you pay for. of $.25 cents per head per day,
lize nutrients in waste not, In the case of the thin, first Grain – Pound for pound still very cost effective when
want not hierarchy. Think of calf heifer, unless the hay is supplementing grain, typi- compared to longer breeding
an order of operations where of exceptional quality it might cally whole shelled corn is a intervals and open cows.
Maintenance > Development keep her belly full but is un- cost effective and efficient Bottom line – Supplemen-
> Growth > Lactation > Re- likely to get her to a desired way to supplement energy in tal energy is often needed to
production > Fattening. body condition. a grazing operation. Once we maintain grazing livestock
Therefore, an animal that Don’t guess. Forage test! know the energy requirement through a typical winter. Con-
is not maintaining body con- Hay quality varies tremen- of our livestock, we can calcu- sider cost and energy density
dition is less likely to repro- dously from farm to farm. late pounds of corn per head of feedstuffs when making
duce. That first calf heifer Consider dry matter losses per day. In most instances the decision to supplement
that is thin at weaning, still when buying hay. That year- it doesn’t take much corn to animals on pasture.
has a requirement for growth old bale that has sat uncov- supplement the needed bal-
and development before we ered in a fence row some- ance of energy.
ever think about getting her where, no matter the cost is Research conducted at

Located 45 mi. SE of Kansas City, Mo on 58 Hwy. east at
Modern Kingsville Livestock Auction Center at Kingsville, MO

Make Plans To Attend Our Next
Special Cow & Bull Sale

Saturday - Feb. 18th - 11 am

Seedstock Plus

North Missouri Bull Sale

Saturday - Feb. 25th

150 ALL Black Gelbvieh-Balancer Bulls

This Is a Closed Non-Consignment Sale.
(See ad page 47 of this issue)

All Consigners & Buyers Welcome
Call 816-597-3331 Office

Rick, Jeremy or Jared Anstine
816-258-3421 • 816-716-9288 • 816-878-5229

Website: www.kingsvillelivestock.com • email: anstineauction@gmail.com