Did you know: you hold a 100-day contract with each of your cows? Now you're asking yourself, what is she talking about?
In the production cycle, the 30 days prior to calving and the 70 days following calving are referred to as the critical period - or the 100-day contract. The nutritional needs for the cow during the critical period are about equal to her needs for the remainder of the year. During this critical period, or 100-day contract, the cow is on a rising plane of nutrition.
In the third trimester of pregnancy the cow's requirements for crude protein and energy are 10 per cent and 60 per cent respectively. Once we have calves on the ground and those cows are nursing, requirements jump to 12 per cent crude protein and 65 per cent energy. As a reference point, feed test results have shown that mixed hay in the northwest region has averaged 10 per cent protein and 50 per cent energy. If this is the case, forage alone is not sufficient to meet the cow's nutritional requirements, and a grain or pellet must be provided.
Immediately following calving, cows are producing milk, repairing their reproductive tracts in preparation for rebreeding, and meeting their own maintenance requirements. Two- and three-year-old cows, are also continuing to grow and put down more muscle mass. Therefore they require extra nutrients compared to mature cows.
When cows are deficient in energy or protein following calving, the available nutrients are used for maintenance, growth and milk production; leaving fertility on the back burner. If we want our cows to calve at the same time the next year they must be bred within 83 to 90 days of calving. For that reason, it is critical they start to cycle as soon as possible. Poor nutritional status after calving can delay the return to estrus, resulting in delayed conception and more open cows.
For young cows that are still growing this presents a bigger issue - in terms of your bottom line. If you've raised this young cow from a calf, you've invested both money and time in her. If she comes up open, chances are she will be culled from the herd, but she hasn't yet paid her dues. Being cognizant of the nutritional demands of your cow herd and providing a balanced ration is well worth the effort.
If we fail to provide the proper nutrients during lactation we short change our pocketbooks. Cows that are deficient in energy and protein will produce less milk. This will lead to reduced calf weaning weight, which directly impacts economic return. Peak milk production occurs roughly 60 to 80 days after calving; as we approach weaning it gradually declines. This peak in milk production transpires at roughly the same time as rebreeding. As we can see, it is vital to meet the cow's requirements for energy and protein so that she and her calf, and your pocket book, are not negatively affected.
Know the protein and energy content of the feed you are providing; feed quality in the northwest this winter has been an issue. Watch and monitor body condition of those soon to be and new moms. Be prepared to supplement with grain or pellets if your forage is short on protein or energy. Remember, you hold a 100-day contract with each of those cows - your part of the deal is to provide a rising plane of nutrition, her part of the deal is a live healthy calf at roughly the same time each year.
For more information on this or other related topics please contact your local Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Office, in North Battleford 306-446-7962 or the Agriculture Knowledge Centre 1-866-453-2377.
