Did the October snow catch you off guard? Do you have enough feed? Does the feed you have, have enough protein and energy to get your cows through the winter?
In some areas of the Northwest, a slow start to the growing season subsequently put hay season behind. Rains in May and June were welcome, but forages grew fast with little nutrient accumulation. The haying season in the northwest was lengthy due to frequent showers and high humidity which slowed the drying process. In July, weather was unsettled with showers and high humidity making baling of good quality hay challenging. Each subsequent rain further deteriorates a crop by leaching soluble protein and plant sugars. Rain knocks off leaves, decreasing protein and energy content, and increasing fibre content. The 2012 haying season had its share of challenges, and when the snow came in October and stayed, producers may now be facing feed issues.
Forage nutrient analyses from the Northwest region are showing lower protein, lower energy and higher fibre levels than usual and in some cases, high potassium levels as well. Some hay energy values have been shown to be only marginally better than straw.
High fibre limits the capacity of cows to physically consume feed. In a normal year, average neutral detergent fibre (NDF) values range from 45 to 55 per cent and cattle can be fed a full forage diet. This year, hay has values of 65 to 75 per cent NDF, similar to straw - so cattle are unable to handle maximum daily dry matter intakes of such forages. As the level of fibre in the hay increases, feed intake decreases to half of what the cow's requirement for dry matter intake is. In addition to the limitations placed on these cattle due to high fibre content, as protein and energy levels in feed decrease, the rate of consumption and digestion also decrease. The end result can be malnutrition despite ample feed being provided.
A deficiency in energy can result in weight loss, lower milk production, smaller calves, lower conception rates, increased calving interval and open females. A deficiency in protein leads to decreased feed consumption and digestion, small/weak calves at birth, poor quality colostrum, lower milk production, greater susceptibility to disease and overall poor performance.
If you have cows or heifers in poor condition it is a necessity to figure out the cause. It is critical to adjust your feeding program for changes in weather, gestation and lactation. Poor quality feed requires supplementing with additional energy and protein. In most cases this can be achieved by adding oats, barley or pellets to the winter feeding program.
If you have cows that are down and they respond to a calcium treatment by your veterinarian, chances are the calcium to phosphorus ratio in your feed is out of balance, or the potassium levels in your feed are high and more calcium is needed in the ration. Cattle being fed an alfalfa-grass hay diet should be supplemented with a 1:1 mineral. If you are feeding a grass hay, cereal silage or greenfeed or if cows are out on cereal swath grazing, you should be supplementing with a 2:1 or 3:1 mineral, where the ratio signifies the level of calcium to phosphorus in the mineral.
If you require assistance in balancing rations please contact Jenifer Heyden, Regional Livestock Specialist at 306-446-7961.
