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Beef
Cattle Management - Reducing
Nutrient Requirements
Lactation represents
the greatest nutrient demand for cows during a yearlong production
cycle. It increases demand for energy, protein, water and other
nutrients. One of the simplest ways to reduce nutrient requirements
is to wean the calf.
This practice
can cut nutrient requirements by one-third to one-half depending
on milk production of the cow. Early weaned calves can achieve adequate
rates of growth if given access to a high quality ration. Dry cows
will eat less forage and usually travel further distances for forages
than lactating cows, further reducing demand on the pasture. By
removing the demands of lactation, acceptable pregnancy rates and
calving season length can usually be maintained.
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