Feed & Nutrition

Use these tips to decide if a colostrum replacer is right for you

Protecting this year’s calf crop from the start has never been more important.

The 2011 drought and continued lack of rain during 2012 in many regions of the country have caused cow-calf producers to scramble for sources of harvested forage.

In areas where there is nothing in pastures to graze, feeding is required the entire year to maintain animal condition.

During the winter months, spring-calving beef cows are in mid-gestation. This is the stage of production when cows have their lowest nutrient requirements.

However, even though the cows’ requirements are relatively low during this time of year, there are still a few factors that demand special attention during winter.

The quality of hay fed to a beef heifer the next 60 days of winter will determine the vigor of her calf to be born next spring—and whether she can rebreed to calve the next year.

Good nutrition for the entire herd is a key factor in producing high-value calves.

Minerals are essential nutrients. Sodium, chlorine and potassium help maintain fluid balances in the body and blood.