Limit Feeding Strategies for Beef Cows (940 KB) Download - iGrow

livestock
dense feed is reached. As the amount of energy
dense feed increases, the forage portion of the diet
should be gradually reduced.
3. When diets containing a higher proportion of grain
are fed to cows, proper bunk management to avoid
digestive upsets is extremely important, especially
when high-starch feedstuffs like grains are fed.
Minimizing the day-to-day variation in grain intake
will help reduce the incidence of acidosis and bloat.
Monensin is labeled for use in mature beef cows
and has been shown to help reduce the incidence
of bloat and acidosis along with increasing feed
efficiency.
4. Implementing a limit-feeding strategy will be easier
if a mixer wagon and a scale are available. It’s
important to allow for sufficient mixing time so that
all ingredients are distributed evenly throughout the
load. If mixing equipment is not available, offering
a fixed amount of a supplement combined with
limiting the amount time cows have access to hay
can be effective.
5. Mineral and vitamin mixes may be over consumed
if offered free-choice when animals are limit-fed.
These could be included in the mixed ration, or
consumption could be controlled using white salt.
6. Adequate bunk space (30 inches per head) should
be provided to allow all cattle an equal opportunity
to consume the ration.
7. Pens should provide at least 500 square feet
per head. It may be worth considering sacrificial
pasture areas as a way to provide additional room
and to mitigate the effects of muddy conditions
during wet and inclement weather.
8. While the nutrient requirements of the cattle can
be met using limit feeding strategies, their appetite
will not be satisfied. Fences will need to be strong
enough to withstand mature cows pushing against
and reaching through in an attempt to graze plant
material that may be within their reach.
9. As with any feeding system, monitor body
condition to determine if nutritional demands are
being met. Adjust diets if needed to avoid under- or
over-conditioning.
Summary
Limiting forage intake can be a successful strategy
to reduce feed expenses under certain conditions,
or as strategy to avoid herd liquidation. The success
or failure of a limit-feeding system will depend on
the resources available and their cost, and the ability
to provide the level of management required to
implement this strategy.
Literature Cited
Anderson, V.L. 2002. Sunflower screenings, barley
malt or wheat midds in lactating beef cow diets. Beef
Production Field Day Proceedings. NDSU Carrington
Research Extension Center. Volume 25:33-36.
Buskirk, D.D., A.J. Zanella, T.M. Harrigan, J.L. Van
Lente, L.M. Gnagey, and M.J. Kaercher. 2003. Large
round bale feeder design affects hay utilization and
beef cow behavior. J. Anim. Sci. 81:109-115.
Lemenager, R.P. and K. Johnson. 2012. Beef
Management Practices When Forages are in Short
Supply. Available at: http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/
forages/Beef%20Mgmt%20Practices%20-Short%20
Forage%20Supply%20July%202012.pdf.
Loerch. S.C. 1996. Limit-feeding corn as an alternative
to hay for gestating beef cows. J. Anim. Sci. 74:1211-
1216.
National Research Council. 1996. Nutrient
requirements of beef cattle.
Radunz, A.E., F.L Fluharty, M.L. Day, H.N. Zerby, and
S.C. Loerch. 2010. Prepartum dietary energy source
fed to beef cows: I. Effects on pre- and postpartum
cow performance. J. Anim. Sci. 88:2717-2728.
Walker, J.A., R.P. Lemenager, and K.S. Hendrix. 1990.
Alternative feeding program when forage is limiting.
Purdue University Beef/Dairy Report. p. 29.
Ward, E.H., H.H. Patterson, and R.J. Pruitt. 2004.
Response of gestating beef cows to limit-fed diets
containing rolled barley. Beef 2004-10 pp. 51-54. SD
Beef Report. South Dakota Ag Experiment Station.
South Dakota State University, South Dakota counties, and USDA cooperating. South Dakota State University adheres to AA/EEO
guidelines in offering educational programs and services.
Publication: 02-2009-2013
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