General Feeding Information

Knowledge Nuggets

• Feeding beef cattle during Canadian winters can be a challenge. Frame size, body condition, feed quality, feed type and fluctuations in air temperature and wind speed, all impact nutritional requirements of cattle.

• Over-feeding is costly, while under-feeding restricts rates of gain and reduces current and future reproductive performance in the breeding herd.

• Body condition of cows going into the winter feeding period will affect the amount and quality of feed required. A 1300 pound cow that is thin (condition score 2) will require an additional 1700 pounds of hay compared to a cow in good condition (score 3).

• When temperatures drop, cows consume more feed to keep warm. Cows fed poor quality, low protein feeds, will attempt to consume more than they can digest and experience impaction. Processing poor quality feed through a hammer mill or tub grinder will increase feed intake but increases the potential for impaction. Strict attention to cow condition and their manure is advised.

• During periods of cold temperatures, increase the energy component of the ration by feeding additional grain at a rate of 1 lb of barley or oats per head per day for every -5°C that the temperature is below -20° C at mid-day.

• Allow for feed wastage, which can range from 5 to 25% or more. Waste is usually higher than expected.

• Feed test each of the feeds prior to the start of your winter-feeding program. Feed tests provide important information on the nutrient levels of the feeds and should be used to accurately formulate rations. Feed the mature cows, replacements, and first calf heifers separately to match feeding programs to the nutritional needs of each group.

• Nearly all winter feeding programs for cows require the use of additional salt and minerals. Trace Mineralized Fortified Salt with Selenium is a popular choice. Blue salt only provides Iodine and Cobalt and salt. Not only does fortified trace mineral salt provide cobalt and iodine but it also contains a number of necessary trace minerals (copper, zinc, manganese and selenium). These trace minerals are usually deficient in western Canadian grown forages and grains.

• All animals require vitamins for normal metabolism. Green forages containing carotenoids supply Vitamin A and some Vitamin E. Unfortunately after 60 days of storage, the vitamin A content of the forage is decomposed because of the exposure to air. Vitamin D is called the sunshine vitamin because ultraviolet light acting on a compound on animal skin changes that compound into vitamin D. Vitamin D is found in sun-cured forages. Vitamin D must be supplemented in winter rations.

• Vitamin E, along with selenium, is required for proper development of muscle tissue, immune function and reproductive performance of animals. Nutritional muscular dystrophy, commonly called white muscle disease, silent heats, longer periods to time of first heat, and higher incidences of disease can occur if selenium and Vitamin E are deficient in the diet.