With fall and cooler weather right around the corner it is important to giver your cows their best chance going into winter. Good winter management practices contribute to healthy and productive cattle. It also plays a part in keeping feed costs reasonable.
As with other seasons a cow’s nutrient requirements are different during this time of year. Of course what the requirements are depends on what production cycle you have them on. If you are on a spring calving timeframe then they will need requirements met in order to grow the calf inside her. This is on top of her normal needs as well as keeping her body warm during the colder times of the year.
But fear not, this article is here to help. There are some things that you can use to get your cattle on the best foot going to winter. Here are some things that you can do to help your cows going into the later part of the year:
Focus on Reproductive Performance
Profitability in any cow-calf operation is largely determined by this factor. It is pretty understood that in order for a rancher to be profitable then they will need to have some calves to be able to sell. I mean you wouldn’t expect a manufacturer to go a year without making a product would you?
Cows calving early also have more time to rebreed and are more likely to remain early calving and more productive cows throughout their lifetime. A study conducted by South Dakota State found the average longevity of heifers calving in the first 21 days was 5.1 years vs just 3.9 years for ones that calved later in the season. Just by looking at the numbers that is almost double the amount of time in the herd.
The key factor influencing cow reproductive performance is body condition of cows at calving. Cows which calve in good body condition give birth to healthier calves who have a better chance at survival. They also tend to produce more milk and wean heavier calves, They are also more likely to rebreed early and remain a productive part of the herd. To improve herd reproduction make sure a high percentage of cows calve in good body condition.
Nutrition plays a key role with your fall herd
Nutrition plays a huge role in both your herd’s overall body condition and reproductive performance. A low level of nutrition in your cows will lengthen the time between calving and first estrus. If that is not enough it can even prevent her from being rebred at all.
After calving a low level of nutrition can reduce the overall pregnancy rate. This happens by reducing the total number of cows which cycle. Cows with a good level of nutrition have less calving difficulties and are bred back quicker. Good nutrition both before and after calving are essential in getting cows to perform at their best.
Fall is a great time to build cow body condition. Cow nutrient requirements are relatively low during this time. Cows are in the early stages of pregnancy , are producing little or no milk and there is less cold stress. At the same time abundant and relatively low-cost forages are available.
Mature native range, meadow regrowth, cornstalks, grain stubble or straw can all play a role in a fall grazing or feeding program. Making good use of fall forages is not only important for improving cow condition but can also help to lower feeding costs.
Using supplements for your fall herd
Your forages and other sources have the potential to meet your cow’s nutrient requirements there may be times where you will need to supplement. The thing to remember in cases like this is that just like the word says it should be used to supplement and not substitute your forages.
Mineral and protein supplements help grow rumen microbes and increase the digestibility and intake of forage. When protein supplements are self-fed they can also help improve grazing distribution to better utilize every area of your pasture. I talk about how you can do that in a previous post “Better grazing with supplements”.
Self-feeding supplements can also help enhance diet selection, increase grazing time and consequently increase total nutrient intake. Protein supplements on fall forages are especially helpful to first-calf heifers.
These young females are still growing and are often having a tough time competing with older cows in the herd. Proper nutrition of young females helps to protect your investment. The investment which has already been made in developing these replacements and help ensure they will remain a productive part of the herd.
Keep up with your fall herd’s health
While nutrition is important for your herd going into fall and winter let us not forget to keep up with their overall health as well.
As a cow-calf herd goes into the fall season after a hot, dry summer the entire herd may be stressed. Excessive heat, short grass, and low water tanks stress cattle and make them more susceptible to diseases. Unsanitary conditions and sudden diet changes also can lead to illness. At the end of the summer, the cows are likely pulled down to a thing body condition from nursing.
When cattle are stressed, they become thin and their immune systems are then suppressed. Germs that are dormant in the tissues and organs of cattle can break out of dormancy. When they do this they can multiple and cause outbreaks of diseases and disorders, such as:
- Clostridiosis (blackleg) which is a group of highly fatal muscle, liver, and intestinal diseases
- Leptospirosis: a bacterial disease that can cause abortions, stillbirths, and weak newborn calves as well as jaundice, high fever and usually death
- Anaplasmosis: an infectious disease that causes anemia, weakness, fever, lack of appetite, constipation, abortion and sometimes death
- Viral and bacterial pneumonia
- Viral and bacterial abortions
- Bacterial pyometra: a disease of the uterus
- Bacterial diarrhea
If you are interested in reading more about any potential diseases you may come across then check out the post from the Texas AgriLife Extension service “Fall and Winter Health Problems in Cow-Calf Herds”.
