Page 30 - MWC 10-6-2022s
P. 30
The Midwest Cattleman · October 6, 2022 · P30
Managing Fall Calving Cows is
Different than Spring Calving
Cows, Especially During Drought
September is
calving season for
many fall-calving
herds. Nutrition-
al management of
fall-calving cows
is a little different
than spring-calv-
ing herds
throughout the
production cycle.
Peak energy, mea-
sured as total di-
gestible nutrients Nutritional management of fall-calving cows is a little different
(TDN), and pro- than spring-calving herds throughout the production cycle.
tein requirements requirements of fall-calving
occur early in lactation at cows.
about 1 to 3 months after calv- And planting cool-season
ing (Figure 1). annual forages can easily meet
For spring-calving cows, the nutrient requirements of
the calving season is typically lactating beef cows and can
aligned with peak energy and even be used as a supplement
protein requirements occur- to warm-season pasture by
ring at the time pastures green limiting the time cows graze
up such that the young tender the annuals each day.
grass with high protein and di- Fall-calving cows have a
gestibility can meet those nu- couple of advantages. One ad-
trient requirements. vantage is the climate, which
For fall-calving cows, the is typically dry and cool, which
ability of pasture to meet does not increase maintenance
peak energy and protein re- requirements like cold and wet
quirements is highly depen- conditions in the spring.
dent upon the forage species. The second advantage is
Cool-season forages such as that fall-calving cows came
fescue regrow in the fall when through the summer grazing
temperatures begin to cool months without a nursing calf
down providing highly nu- and are usually in very good
tritious grass to meet the re- body condition; 6 or better.
quirements of the cow during Greater body condition at calv-
this time. ing allows these cows to lose
However, warm-season for- some condition without detri-
ages are slowing growth as mental effects on reproductive
temperatures decline and be- performance.
coming dormant having much The breeding season for
lower nutritive value and less fall-calving cows is usually late
ability to meet the nutrient November through December
requirement of cows in early such that cows are pregnant
lactation. before bad winter weather.
But, stockpiled bermu- Pregnant cows are unlikely to
dagrass or native grass with lose a pregnancy due to poor
protein supplementation can body condition, which allows
effectively meet the nutrient
