what nutrients does a cow need

Nutritional Requirements of Dairy Cattle

• Fats Ruminant diets typically are low in total fat content due to the negative effects that fatty acids, especially polyunsaturated fatty acids, have on microbial fiber fermentation. ...
• Protein Protein requirements of lactating dairy cows are based on amino acids required for maintenance and milk protein synthesis. ...
• Water The availability of high-quality water for ad libitum consumption is critical. ...

Full Answer

What is the most important nutrient for cattle?

WaterDietary experts spend so much time discussing absorbable nutrients, minerals, and various fractions of protein. ... Water is the most important nutrient for cattle as it accounts for nearly 50-80 percent of your animal's live weight and all animals need water.More items...•

What are 3 things cows need to survive?

3. Space: A happy cow has free access to food, water and bed. They need to be able to move freely around.

What nutrient do cows get most of their energy from?

CarbohydratesCarbohydrates are the main source of energy in beef cattle diets. Carbohydrates are either nonstructural (readily digested by all livestock) or structural (some are digested through fermentation that occurs in the rumen).

What vitamins does a cow need?

Division of Animal Sciences. Vitamin needs of beef cattle can be confined largely to A, D and E. This is because bacteria in the rumen of cattle are considered to have the ability to synthesize vitamin K and the B vitamins in sufficient quantities to meet the animal's requirement.

What do cows need daily?

Cows will voluntarily consume about 2 percent of their body weight or 24 pounds per day. The 24 pounds is based on 100 percent dry matter. Grass hays often will be 7 percent to 10 percent moisture.

How do you keep a cow healthy?

By keeping them happy, they're also more likely to be healthy and healthy animals produce more for their farm or ranch.Always Have Water Available. Cattle often struggle to get enough water during the winter. ... Keep Cattle Well Fed. ... Provide Proper Shelter. ... Avoid Mud. ... Assist Pregnant Cattle. ... Keep Cattle Comfortable.

Do cows get enough nutrients from eating grass?

Most of the calories are locked away in cellulose, the main fiber produced by plants, a long, stringy molecule that our digestive enzymes can't break down. Simply put, there's not enough nutrition or protein in grass to feed a cow, even if you could unlock 100% of the nutrients.

What nutrient is most important for livestock?

Water ‐Water ‐ Water is often over looked but is the most critical component of any ration. It is essential in allowing most of the physiological functions in the body. Water has been a difficult nutrient to determine the actual requirement for many livestock primarily because water is usually provided free of choice.

What protein do cows eat?

Microbial crude protein (MCP) —The most important protein source for cattle, supplying from 50% to 100% of the daily MP required by the animal.

What is the best thing to feed cows?

Corn has the highest energy value and is likely the most economical grain in corn-producing localities. Corn, oats, and barley are the primary grains fed to cattle. Oats, which has a lower energy value due to its high fiber content, is considered the "safest" grain in regards to potential digestive disturbances.

What minerals should I feed cattle?

The essential macro minerals for beef cattle are calcium, phosphorus, chlorine, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and sulfur. The trace minerals that are needed are copper, chromium, cobalt, iodine, iron, manganese, nickel, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc.

What is the best mineral for cattle?

Cobalt supplementation is advisable for beef cows wintered on low-quality roughages of all types. In fact, most tall fescue hay samples collected in Missouri are marginal or deficient in cobalt. Adding 1 ounce of cobalt chloride or cobalt sulfate to each ton of free-choice mineral mixture is recommended for beef cows.

What does a cow needs to survive?

Most heifers grow well if excellent hay is given as much they can eat. The amount of growth depends upon the quality of forage fed. The heifers should be provided with a dry shelter free from drafts. A loose housing system with a shelter open to one side is sufficient.

How does a cow survive?

Bos taurus are all herbivores, eating only plants. On average, cows take in thirty gallons of water and ninety-five pounds of food per day, spending about six hours a day eating and eight hours chewing cud. Cattle bulk graze on fresh grasses, shrubs, young trees and other succulent vegetation.

What does a cow use to protect itself?

Herd animals have a natural tendency to “bunch.” This defense mechanism is how cows and goats protect themselves from predators, which prefer a moving target to animals that stand their ground.

What do cows need in their habitat?

The most species-appropriate „housing‟ for cattle is a well-managed pasture with adequate cover and shade, and a dry lying area. This allows them to forage, and gives them space to lie comfortably and rest undisturbed. However, many research programs require animals to be housed indoors.

Why is mineral nutrition important for cows?

Mineral nutrition is vital to overall cow performance. Without appropriate balance of minerals, cows may not perform as desired or could exhibit detrimental effects. There is value in analyzing your mineral program to determine if modifications need to be made to improve cattle health and performance.

What are the macro minerals in cows?

These are calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl) and potassium (K). Some of these minerals work together, while others work independently.

What are the two groups of minerals that cows need?

Minerals are divided into two groups based on the quantity of the mineral required by the cow: macro minerals and micro minerals (trace minerals). The macro minerals are required as a percent of the diet dry matter, while micro minerals or trace minerals are required in ppm (parts per million). This article will focus on macro minerals.

How does K work with Na?

As mentioned previously, K works with Na in the body to regulate osmotic pressure and transport nutrients in and out of cells. As the K levels increase, the Na levels will need to increase equally. Through forage analysis, K levels are adequate in most of western South Dakota, with the 1400 lb lactating cow having a requirement of 0.70% of diet dry matter and most forages samples having close to 2% K. Potassium will leach out of dormant forages, therefore it may be necessary to provide a mineral supplement that contains 1% K to remedy any deficiencies.

How much sulfur is needed for cattle?

Symptoms include blindness, difficulty walking, muscle tremors, convulsions and ultimately death. Cattle on pasture require 0.15% sulfur, but forages and water should be tested prior to adding sulfur to a mineral supplement. Many forages contain adequate sulfur to meet requirements and there is sulfur in the water, it will have an additive effect.

What is the role of magnesium in cows?

Magnesium plays a role in enzyme and nervous system function, as well as carbohydrate metabolism. It is critical that cows receive sufficient Mg when they are lactating heavily, especially if they are grazing lush, rapidly growing pastures.

How do sodium and chlorine work together?

Sodium and chlorine work together to maintain cellular volume, pH and osmolarity of body fluids. Sodium chloride (NaCl, salt) promotes water intake. Sodium plays a role with K for nutrient transport into and out of cells and Cl is involved primarily in the production of hydrochloric acid in the abomasum (stomach) to aid in digestion. Cattle have a taste for salt and a 1400 lb cow will consume between 1 and 2 ounces of salt per day to meet requirements. Various factors affect salt intake and it is key to have plenty of fresh water available at all times.

What is cattle nutrition?

Cattle nutrition is a very complex topic. Like all animals, cattle require a balance of nutrients for survival. They receive these nutrients through their diet, which provides six basic cattle nutrients: water, carbohydrates, fats, protein, vitamins and minerals.

Why do cattle need mineral?

Beef cattle require a large number of minerals for optimal grown and milk production. If they’re lacking in mineral, they can become unhealthy and loose weight.

How much cattle mineral do cattle eat? How do you feed it?

On our farm, all of our cattle are free range and they live in the pasture their whole life. We place cattle mineral in large tubs in the middle of the field near water sources.

Does the quality of beef change if there is poor cattle nutrition or lacking in mineral?

Whether or not the grass has lots of nutrients or not will affect the beef a little. If there are lots of nutrients, like in late spring grass, cows will convert the extra nutrients to fat. Conversely, if there are less nutrients in the grass, like dormant hot summer grass, cows use all of the nutrients immediately.

Why should I care about cattle nutrition and mineral?

Why should I care about cattle nutrition and mineral?” The answer is because without cattle nutrition and mineral, the quality and quantity of grass fed beef changes. In other words, without good cattle nutrition, your steaks won’t be as good.

How does mineral help cattle?

Mineral helps with cattle nutrition in three basic areas: 1. Reproduction – Making sure that our cows have the correct levels of minerals in their bodies helps them to conceive. If you put this in context of humans, it’s like a female who is trying to get pregnant.

What does dormant grass do to cows?

This water flushes nutrients out of a cow’s body , such as magnesium. In the late fall and in winter, mature or dormant grass has much lower energy, protein content and overall digestibility, compared to spring pasture.

Why do cows need colostrum?

A separate study found that cows with inadequate body condition produced poorer-quality colostrum, compared with cows in good body condition. Poor body condition resulted in a reduced ability to transfer immunity through colostrum to calves of underfed cows. Newborn calves need adequate colostrum because it contains antibodies and other proteins that protect calves from disease until their own immune system is totally functional.

How much TDN should a cow need?

This means the same 1,300-pound cow that needed 12.5 pounds of TDN per day at a temperature of 18 F may need up to 14.8 pounds of TDN per day at a temperature of 0 F.

What do producers need to know about calving?

Producers need to review their anticipated calving dates, cow body condition scores and cows' diet. Decisions a cattle producer makes about pregnant cow nutrition now can have major impacts on calf health in the spring and cow fertility during the next breeding season.

What temperature should cows be kept at?

Even with heavy winter coats, nutrient requirements for cows begin to increase when the temperature is below the “lower critical temperature” of about 18 F.

Do heifers need to be on a greater plane of nutrition than older cows?

Therefore, thin cows and heifers need to be on a greater plane of nutrition than older cows in good condition. Dahlen recommends producers consider sorting heifers and thin cows into their own group for feeding if possible. If not, producers should try to spread feed out over a larger area to reduce the incidence of thin cows being pushed away ...

Do cows get pregnant after calving?

Studies also show that the need for good nutrition during pregnancy carries over to fertility the following breeding season. Cows that are thin at calving have a greater chance of not becoming pregnant the following breeding season, compared with cows that calve in good body condition.

Does fewer nutrients during gestation cause lighter birthweights?

Although some producers argue that providing fewer nutrients during gestation will lead to lighter birthweights and, therefore, fewer calving difficulties, that isn’t always the result, according to Dahlen.

How to get vitamin A for cattle?

Vitamin A can be synthesized from β-carotene contained in feedstuffs such as green forages and yellow corn. However, this ability varies among breeds; Holstein cattle perhaps are the most efficient converters of carotenes, whereas some of the beef breeds are much less efficient. Therefore, providing supplemental vitamin A to beef cattle should be considered. Vitamin A is one of the few vitamins that cattle store in their livers—as much as a 6-mo supply. Cattle on a diet deficient in vitamin A may not begin to show signs for several weeks. Newborn calves, which have small stores of vitamin A, depend on colostrum and milk to meet their needs. If the dam is fed a ration low in carotene or vitamin A during gestation (eg, in winter), severe deficiency signs may become apparent in the young suckling calf within 2–4 wk of birth, while the dam may appear healthy.

What is the energy that is released during digestion and assimilation?

Especially in cold weather, roughages of varying quality may have similar maintenance energy values. Heat released during digestion and assimilation—called “heat increment”—contributes to the maintenance of body temperature for wintering stock.

Where is phosphorus found in cattle?

Approximately 80% of the phosphorus in the body is found in the bones and teeth, with the remainder distributed among the soft tissues. Phosphorus may be deficient in some beef cattle rations, because roughages often are low in phosphorus. Furthermore, as forage plants mature, their phosphorus content declines, making mature and weathered forages a poor source. Phosphorus has been described as the most prevalent mineral deficiency for grazing cattle worldwide. Most natural protein supplements are fairly good sources of phosphorus. Because adequate phosphorus is critical for optimal performance of beef cattle, including growth, reproduction, and lactation, a phosphorus supplementation program is recommended using either a free-choice mineral mixture or direct supplementation in the diet. In a phosphorus deficiency, reduced growth and efficiency of feed conversion, decreased appetite, impaired reproduction, reduced milk production, and weak, fragile bones can be expected. There does not appear to be any advantage to feeding more phosphorus than is recommended. Furthermore, feeding excess phosphorus contributes to increased environmental pollution. Good sources of supplemental phosphorus include steamed bone meal, mono- and dicalcium phosphate, defluorinated rock phosphate, and phosphoric acid. Corn co-products like corn gluten and distillers grains with solubles are also high in phosphorus. Because most grains are relatively good sources of phosphorus, feedlot cattle rarely suffer a phosphorus deficiency, although phytic acid chelation of phosphorus in grains may render up to one-half of it unavailable—especially for monogastric animals such as swine and poultry.

Why do cattle have a calcium deficiency?

Because lactating beef cows do not produce nearly the amount of milk that dairy cattle do, their calcium requirement is much less.

Why do animals expire faster?

An animal will expire more quickly from a water deficiency than from a deficiency of any nutrient. Because feeds themselves contain water, and the metabolism of ingested feeds releases water (called metabolic water), not all of the animal’s water needs have to be met by drinking water.

How does lack of protein affect the rumen?

A lack of protein in the diet advers ely affects the microbial protein production in the rumen, which in turn reduces the utilization of low-protein feeds. Thus, much of the potential nutritive value of roughages (especially energy) may be lost if protein levels are inadequate.

What is the most economic feed for cattle?

Beef cattle production, whether on range, improved pasture, or in the feedlot, is most economic when feedstuffs are used effectively. Young growing grass or other high-quality pasture crops usually supply ample nutrients, such that mature and young growing cattle can consume sufficient good-quality mixed pasture (grasses and legumes) for normal growth and maintenance. However, mature pasture, crop residues, or forage crops harvested in a manner that results in shattering, leaching, or spoilage may be so reduced in nutritive value (particularly energy, protein, phosphorus, and provitamin A or β-carotene) that they are suitable only in a maintenance ration for adult cattle. Such feedstuffs should be supplemented if used for any other purposes.

What is the secret to cow nutrition?

The secret is to give a cow what she needs, when she needs it. Just as the timing of rain is more important than the total amount of rain, the timing of feed is more important than the total amount of feed.

How many acres per section of pasture should I stock?

Years ago, an old timer told me to stock pastures according to the average annual precipitation. Stock one pair, per section, for each inch of average annual precipitation. Twenty inch average precipitation would be 20 pairs per section or 32 acres per pair. This is a good rule of thumb along with considering the past history of stocking rates in each pasture.

How tall should a calf's pile be?

So, here is what we are looking for. From weaning up to 30 days pre-calving we want to see the average of the piles from 3 to 5 inches tall.

Is every ranch different?

Every ranch is different, every pasture is different and each set of cows are different. I’ve seen many times that two sets of running age cows in joining pastures may need different amounts of feed. One last thought, and that is springtime green-up. Manure pies may be almost flat and cattle may be slipping.

Should we let cows tell us when to start feeding?

I believe we should let the cows tell us when to start feeding, to tell us how much to feed each class and each pasture and finally, when to stop feeding. Every ranch is different, every pasture is different and each set of cows are different. I’ve seen many times that two sets of running age cows in joining pastures may need different amounts of feed.

What is physical satiety?

Physical satiety is the degree of “fullness” or distention of the digestive tract or abdomen caused by the volume of digesta in the tract. It is affected by forage quality, which determines how rapidly forage moves through the digestive tract. For example, intake on low quality bermudagrass will typically be lower than on annual ryegrass or white clover because bermudagrass remains in the rumen much longer. The beef animal's digestive tract breaks down annual ryegrass and white clover quickly, absorbs the nutrients, and rapidly passes the small amount of residue through the digestive tract. Forage intake can be limited by the capacity of the digestive tract because receptors in the rumen wall are sensitive to stretch. Yet factors other than gut capacity may influence rate of digestion and intake.#N#Intake by beef cattle fed high-concentrate, grainbased diets is likely controlled by metabolic factors, not bulk fill. Feedlot cattle may increase their dry matter intake in response to a change in the level of bulky roughage (by as little as 5 per cent or less of dry matter) or a shift to a more fibrous roughage. per centage of dietary neutral detergent fiber (NDF) supplied by roughage appears to be useful for predicting effects of roughage quantity and source on dry matter intake. In general, as NDF levels increase, dry matter intake decreases.

What is monensin used for?

Monensin is an ionophore used in beef cattle diets that helps improve cattle growth and efficiency. Beef cattle may drop dry matter intake by approximately 4 to 6 per cent when fed monensin at recommended levels. Monensin can be added to receiving rations at levels required for coccidiosis control without affecting feed intake of lightweight calves. Monensin can reduce feed intake variation among individuals in group-fed cattle. Other ionophores, such as lasalocid, have limited effects on feed intake.

What is palatability in cattle?

Palatability. Palatability refers to how acceptable a forage or feed is to an animal. Animals may spend time seeking out certain forage species and avoiding others, which affects bite size and effective forage availability. Cattle generally prefer grasses over clover and alfalfa.

How much dry matter does a lactating cow consume?

Lactating beef cattle can consume 35 to 50 per cent more dry matter than nonlactating cattle of the same size on the same diet. Cattle with greater milk-producing ability often also have increased feed intake needs. Body composition, particularly the amount of body fat, can impact feed intake.

Why do cattle walk farther?

The animal has to walk farther and take more bites to consume an adequate level of forage. The extra walking allows less time for chewing and ruminating. When cattle are grazing short pasture, increased grazing time is often not enough to compensate for reduced bite size on forage intake.

Why are cattle selective?

When stocking rate is high, cattle on rotationally stocked pastures may be forced to consume more stem or low quality forage, which can reduce intake . In contrast, cattle on a continuously grazed pasture can be more selective unless the pasture is overstocked and has low forage availability.

How much does dry matter intake decrease?

Dry matter intake decreases once cattle exceed a certain degree of condition. Specifically, there is about a 2.7 per cent decrease in dry matter intake for each 1 per cent increase in body fat past the range of 21.3 to 31.5 per cent body fat.

Why do cattle need to be fed?

The key concept to remember in feeding the beef cow herd is that cattle need to be fed to meet nutrient requirements. Cows do not have requirements for specific feeds; they have requirements for energy and specific nutrients. Energy and other nutrients will first be utilized to meet the cows manintenance requirements, and then nutrients and energy will be allocated to productive uses (growth, reproduction, lactiation). The data presented in these tables are to be utilized as guidelines and a starting point for nutrition decision making.

What is the most important nutrient for cattle?

Water . Water is an important, yet overlooked, nutrient required by cattle. Water is an important component in many body functions including temperature regulation, growth, reproduction, lactation, and many metabolic functions. Water comes from two sources, feedstuffs and ad libitum consumption.

What is maintenance in cows?

Maintenance is defined as the amount of feed energy intake that will result in no net loss or gain of energy from the tissues of the cows body. In reality a cow must always be adding or subtracting energy from her body tissues. The additive functions to maintenance include; growth, gestation, and lactation.

Why is it important to have adequate nutrition for cows?

Adequate nutrition is vital for adequate cow reproduction, cow and calf health, and growth of all classes of cattle. Nutrient requirements of cattle change throughout the year based upon stage of the production cycle , age, sex, breed, level of activity, pest load, and environment.

How does net energy work?

The Net Energy system assigns energy values of feeds according to how the energy within a feedstuff can be assigned to either maintenance or growth/lactation/pregnancy. Likewise the amount of energy needed for maintenance or growth can be determined independent of the dietary composition.

Why is the energy requirement of a cow dynamic?

Cow energy requirements change throughout the year. The requirement for energy by the mature cow is a dynamic situation because the production cycle is not static. At no point in a yearly production cycle does a cow experience only maintenance energy requirements.

What are the factors that affect the water requirement of cattle?

The water requirement is influenced by several factors including pregnancy, lactation, activity, type of diet, level of intake, and environmental temperature. Restriction of water intake below requirement will reduce feed intake, which will lower cattle production.

Introduction

Measures of Protein

Importance of Protein For Cattle Production

Feeding Protein to Cattle

• Even though energy and protein are measured separately, maximum performance is obtained when requirements for both of these nutrients are met. However, many herds in the Western United States (including Oregon) consume low-quality forage (< 7% CP), which does not meet protein requirements of these beef animals. Consequently, protein supplementation...

See more on extension.oregonstate.edu

Conclusions

References