Page 33 - Sep302021

Avoid Body Condition Blues The Midwest Cattleman · September 30, 2021 · P33

Keep an eye on body condition in fall-calving cows.

By Karla Wilke, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
With much of the west- pared to early spring-born tices import-
ern and northern regions in calves. However, changes to ant in spring
a drought, producers with the typical routine or loca- herds.
fall-calving cows need to be tion can have unintended For exam-
especially mindful of body consequences, so if cows are ple, calves
condition. Many fall-calving calved in confinement due to
herds start calving in August. drought, it will still be import- continued on
This allows producers to take ant to use management prac- page 39
advantage of late-summer
grass as a forage resource
with ample protein and ener-
gy for the newly lactating cow.
However, the hot, dry condi-
tions have left many pastures
not only short on dry-matter
tonnage, but also short on the
nutrient density required to
maintain the lactating cow.
While body condition is crit-
ical for all lactating cows going
into the breeding season, this
is especially important for the
fall-calving cow that could be
facing a long, hard winter in
poor condition while trying to
meet the demands of lacta-
tion.
Lactating cows in peak
lactation require about twice
the energy of a dry pregnant
cow at traditional weaning.
Research has indicated cows
breed back best on an in-
creasing plane of nutrition. CASON’S MISS GRETCHEN J95A
Fall-calving cows will likely W/C Night Watch 84E x Cason’s Miss Cheyenne
March Purebred SM
be bred back in November. CASON’S MISS PRIMO H26Z
Therefore, unless they are Colburn Primo 5153 x Cason’s Miss Lacey
grazing cool-season annuals September SimAngus ™ CASON’S MISS
such as oats or triticale, or BEATRICE H345
CCR Santa Fe 9349Z x
brassicas such as turnips or Sandy Acres 345X
radishes, it is not likely they Purebred SM
Bred to Hooks Eagle
will be on an increasing plane
of nutrition at breeding. Fur-
thermore, if the forage quality
was poor at calving, the cows
could be very thin (below a 5
on a 1-to-9 scale), which could CASON’S MISS FRANNY H8A
negatively affect pregnancy LCDR Makin Waves 711E x Cason’s
rates. Miss Jewell • September 3/4 SM
Lactating cows in peak lac-
tation require about twice the
energy of a dry pregnant cow CASON’S MISS MILLIE
at traditional weaning. WS Proclamation E202 x Cason’s Miss
Producers who do not have Joplin • February Purebred SM
access to annual forages for
grazing between calving and 80 ELITE LOTS
breeding, and find cows losing
body condition, could consider 20 Spring Fancy Show Heifers
supplementation strategies CASON’S MISS MAISIE J35 CASON’S MISS PAIGE 14 Fall Open Heifers
CCR Santa Fe 9349Z x Sandeen
on pasture or move cows to Lady 4301 • February 5/8 SM TSN All Around F605 x Cason’s Miss 46 Bred Heifers
Kinsley • January Purebred SM
confinement.
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