The Prairie Star, MT
11-09-07
Beef producers should be thinking about the coming winter
By Wendy Sweeter, For The Prairie Star
Iowa State University Extension beef field specialist Beth Doran advises
regional beef producers to pre-plan for this winter's feeding needs. Most cows
are running on cornstalks right now and probably will until the snow gets too
deep.
However, Doran, who is out of the Orange City, Iowa, Extension office and
serves 10 northwest Iowa counties, says producers can only run cows on
cornstalks for about 60 days before they need some sort of supplementation.
What that supplement might be is the tough question this year.
“We get into colder weather, we're going to have to supplement, and especially
as they go into the last trimester of pregnancy, because even then if they could
be out on cornstalks, there's not enough energy there,” she said. “So yes, you
need to supplement. Now the question is what are we going to use that's a cheap
feedstuff?”
Doran cautions that there might not be a “cheap” ration this year.
Drought and dry conditions limited the amount of hay produced this summer,
resulting in less available hay this winter. Three-dollar corn this fall will also affect
what producers choose for a feed.
The third factor affecting the hope of a “cheap” ration this year will be the
availability of ethanol co-products like distillers grains.
“I've heard here in Iowa that some of those have been contracted out for six to
nine months, so supply is limited right now,” Doran said.
Doran suggests producers evaluate what feed they have available and work with
a nutritionist to come up with a ration that will meet the needs of the cow that will
be as low cost as possible.
“I would encourage them to think about this right now. Don't get right into the
dead of winter, the day you want to do this,” she said.
Most cows are currently in the second trimester of pregnancy. Their nutrient
needs are lower than in other stages of pregnancy and cornstalks will provide
enough energy for the cow at this stage.
She also suggests putting a good vitamin and mineral package and a good water
source in the field for them. However, Doran recommends producers wean the
calves if they have not done so yet.
“There is just not enough energy in cornstalks to support a lactating cow,” she
said.
The majority of cows right now have probably been well maintained. But some
cows may be too thin going into the third trimester and winter months.
Now is also a good time to evaluate cow body condition scores. Cows that are
too thin may need to start putting on weight now to meet the needs of the calf
later in pregnancy.
“The hardest thing to do is put on weight on a cow when it's extremely cold and
when you're going into that last trimester of pregnancy. Her needs are not going
to be the highest (now),” Doran said. “It's not going to be as high as when she's
lactating and just calved, but they're going to be the second highest because
most of that calf growth is going to be in the last trimester, basically the last three
months of pregnancy.”
If producers have some thin cows, waiting until later is not as efficient as it would
be now. It will take more feed and more energy, which would also drive up costs.
Doran said it is not necessary to pull thin cows off the cornstalks to feed them
separately. Instead, she said to utilize the energy in the cornstalks, but
supplement with extra energy.
Body condition scores range from 1 (severely emaciated) - to 9 (obese).
Doran recommends body condition scores between 5 and 7, with 5 being ideal.
“You start getting them less than 5 and then they go into calving and we get into
extremely cold weather. Boy, they can't afford to lose condition in terms of
producing a live calf that's healthy, strong and aggressive,” she said.
When it gets cold and wet this winter, producers will need to find ways to keep
the cows dry.
Doran suggests producers make sure they have adequate windbreaks in place
now.
“Bedding is important - keeping them up off the cold ground and dry,” she said.
Finally, Doran wants producers to understand that a cow's energy needs will
increase 1 percent for every degree that drops below 32 degrees.
“The cow's energy needs are going to go up, but also know you can't feed her
enough feed to stuff that much into her nor do you want to try and do that. You
don't want to make quick ration changes, especially with high-energy feeds,”
Doran said.