Providing a feed supplement to grazing cattle is essential because sometimes the natural forage just isn’t enough to meet their nutritional needs. When pasture grasses fall short, supplements help fill in the gaps so your animals can stay healthy and productive. With so many options available, it’s essential to choose the right supplement for your herd and avoid wasting resources on one that doesn’t work.
Food costs are one of the most significant expenses for any producer—up to 40% of total operating costs, according to Oklahoma State. This percentage can climb even higher during drought conditions when forage quality and quantity decline. Every dollar counts, so it’s wise to view these supplements as investments that boost performance rather than just another cost to cut.
The key is to focus on efficiency rather than just the lowest price. A well-chosen supplement can improve animal performance and ultimately lead to a higher return on your investment. Using the right products ensures that your cattle get the nutrition they need without overspending, giving you the most “bang for your buck.“
Forage Fundamentals: The Building Blocks of Nutrition
Your forage production is the groundwork for any plan involving your operation. It is the very foundation that you will use to build a successful cattle operation. If you do not have it on lock, anything else you do will not be as efficient as it can be.
Forage testing is a powerful tool that empowers you to determine the nutritional value of your forages, whether you provide them through grazing, haymaking, or silage-making. It’s a crucial step that considers the many factors that can impact the nutrient content, and conducting forage testing over multiple years can build a solid foundation for planning your cattle feed supplement needs.
Quick Visual Checks: What Your Forages Are Telling You.
Courtesy of the Beef Cattle Research Council
Visual assessment is a valuable tool that can provide reassurance and confidence. While it may not give you the exact amount provided, a visual assessment can be a helpful tool. Many visual factors can assist you in evaluating the nutrient value of your forages:
- Maturity: The growth stage is the most significant factor in determining nutrient content. A producer can determine the plant’s stage of maturity by assessing the bloom or bud stage and stem size. More abundant blooms or mature seed heads, fewer buds, and larger woody stems indicate more mature forage.
- Leafiness: About 2/3 of the protein in forage is in the leaves. The ratio of leaves to stems is more critical with legumes than grass forages.
- Color: Forages that are not bright green may be damaged. Yellowing can indicate overly mature forages.
The critical factor here is that to be cost-effective, your feed supplements should complement your forages and not substitute them. Substitution feeding, where the supplements replace the forages, can be more expensive and less effective than supplemental feeding, where the supplements enhance the forages. Hi-Pro Feeds has a good video on how to tell the protein content of forages from how they look.
Tailoring Nutrition to Your Herd’s Needs
Responsibility and care are key when it comes to tailoring nutrition to your herd’s needs. The stage of production in which your cattle are in will determine their nutritional needs. A mature cow with no calf will require less than one with a nursing calf. So, it is essential to consider this when deciding on your cattle feed supplement plan.
The cow’s body weight is one of the most critical factors driving dry matter intake. As body weight changes, so do nutrient requirements. If the correct body weight is not used to determine nutrient requirements, cattle can be over- or undernourished.
Results from a study done in Nebraska found that when feed supply is limited or environmental stress is present, moderate-size cows, which are not too large or too small, were more efficient than larger ones. This means that as the animal gets larger, the amount needed to be consumed to meet its needs will also increase. Understanding this can help you optimize your herd’s size for better feed management.
Smart Supplementing: Maximizing Every Dollar.
Now that you understand what nutrients your forages provide and what your cattle require, it’s time to choose the right feed supplements to bridge any gaps. There are plenty of options out there, such as protein blocks, energy pellets, or mineral mixes, each designed to target specific nutritional needs. The key is selecting a supplement that meets your herd’s needs while being cost-effective. Making a smart supplement choice is all about maximizing the value of your investment in your cattle’s health.
When choosing a supplement, it’s essential to consider how much labor you have available. Some options, like liquid feeds or self-fed tubs, require minimal effort, while others, like hand-feeding cubes or protein meals, take more time and consistency. As Justin Ramirez, a beef technical specialist with Cargill, says, “If you need to feed up to a pound of protein a day, any option will likely do; the key is finding a balance between what works best for your cattle and what’s practical for your operation.” After all, the best supplement is the one you can consistently provide without overloading yourself or your crew.
Timing is everything when it comes to supplementation. As soon as you notice that your forages are beginning to fall short, it’s best to start supplementing right away. Waiting too long means your cattle may struggle to recover, which can lead to higher costs and lost productivity. By acting early, you maintain steady performance in your herd and protect your investment in the long run.
Compare Feed Supplements Like a Pro
When deciding which feed supplement to use, carefully comparing your options is essential. Some supplements may appear to be a bargain at first glance, but they might require you to use more to achieve the same nutritional effect. Calculating the cost per pound of nutrient delivered is a great way to compare. For instance, if you’re considering a protein supplement, you can multiply its Crude Protein percentage by 2000 pounds to determine the amount of protein per ton, then divide by the feed’s cost per ton.
This method helps ensure you’re not just choosing the cheapest option but the one that provides the best value for your herd’s needs. It’s like doing a quick math check to see which supplement really gives you more for your money. By understanding the true cost of the nutrients you’re buying, you can make smarter, more informed decisions that benefit both your cattle and your bottom line.
In short, don’t be fooled by sticker prices. Instead, focus on the cost per unit of nutrition to get the best bang for your buck. A simple calculation can reveal the cost-effective supplement, helping you maximize performance while controlling feed costs. This feed supplement comparison strategy is practical for any producer aiming to boost herd nutrition without overspending.
Here’s a bullet list that breaks down the steps for comparing supplement costs based on their protein content:
- Calculate Protein per Ton: Multiply the crude protein percentage (expressed as a decimal) by 2000 lbs to determine the total pounds of protein in one ton of feed.
- Determine Feed Cost Efficiency: Divide the total protein per ton by the cost per ton of the feed.
- Evaluate the Value: The result gives you the cost per pound of protein, allowing you to compare different supplements effectively.
Essential Minerals: The Key to Herd Health.
An essential first step in any cattle supplement plan is ensuring that your herd gets a quality mineral supplement all year long. Mineral deficiencies can slow growth, lower body condition scores, and even reduce pregnancy rates, so it’s crucial not to overlook this aspect. In fact, by the time you see visible signs of deficiency, it may already be too late for effective intervention. Staying proactive with minerals sets your herd up for long-term success.
Providing free-choice access to a mineral supplement is a great way to ensure your cattle get the nutrients they need without a strict feeding schedule. Look for a blend that includes calcium, salt, phosphorus, and trace minerals—each playing a vital role in overall cattle health. While individual consumption may vary based on factors like pasture quality and seasonal changes, most cattle average about 2 ounces per head per day. This method allows your animals to self-regulate their intake and maintain a balanced diet.
To make sure every animal in your herd gets enough—especially the more timid ones—consider placing multiple mineral feeders throughout your pasture. This strategy not only distributes the supplement evenly but also encourages a balanced nutritional intake across your herd. For more detailed insights on why minerals are so crucial, check out my previous post, “What You Don’t Know About Your Mineral Can Hurt.” With a solid mineral plan, you’re investing in improved growth, better body condition, and a more profitable operation.
Protein supplementation
When your forage doesn’t provide enough protein, adding a protein supplement should be your next priority. Protein supplements help boost forage intake and improve digestibility, ensuring your cattle get the nutrition they need. A good protein supplement typically has a high crude protein (CP) percentage, usually between 20% and 48%. For example, range cubes often come in at about 20% CP, while soybean meal can reach as high as 48%, making them popular choices for boosting dietary protein.
Typically, you should consider protein supplementation when the CP content of your forages falls below about 7% for dry cows, although the exact threshold depends on the production stage of your animals. If your cattle aren’t getting enough protein from their forage, they may struggle with energy levels and overall growth. By adding a protein supplement, you’re not only compensating for this deficiency but also helping to improve the animals’ energy and protein status. This strategy can lead to better weight gain and improved performance throughout your herd.
Beyond just meeting basic needs, a protein supplement is key in enhancing overall digestion and nutrient absorption. The extra protein supports rumen microbes, which effectively break down fibrous forages. As a result, your cattle can make better use of the feed they consume, which translates to improved growth and productivity. Ultimately, investing in the right protein supplement is a smart move that can help keep your herd healthy and boost your ranch’s bottom line.
Energy supplementation
The forages may not provide enough energy for your needs. When energy intake is limiting performance, an energy supplement may be the answer. An indicator of an energy supplement contains low crude protein and high energy or “total digestible nutrients.” A good option for an energy supplement is your grains. Corn and milo are the most commonly fed, but oats, wheat, and barley are also suitable.
The cost of energy supplements, like those providing protein, will depend on the supplement, the quantities purchased, and labor. It is a good idea to select an energy supplement with a low cost per lb of TDN consumed so as not to break the bank.
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