Livestock Nutrition and Tools for Management OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION Livestock Nutrition and Tools for Management Mark Landefeld OSU Extension Educator Agriculture and Natural Resources Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Good Nutrition is Essential Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Livestock Nutrition Proper nutrition is critical for reproductive success in livestock operations. - Reproductive success for the beef cow producer means: - The cow delivering a healthy, live calf - The cow raising & weaning a calf - The cow rebreeding <82 days of calving - The cow calving again next year on time - Repeat the process Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Livestock Nutrition What is your approach? - Feed them all they will eat? - Feed them just enough to keep them alive? - Feed a balanced diet to maximize gain at the most economical cost? Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Maximize Gain Economically What do we need to know? - Nutritional requirement of the livestock being fed - Group animals with similar requirements - Know the nutrient values in the feed we are feeding - Calculate the amount to feed per head - Feed in an efficient manner (reduce waste) - Provide enough space for all to eat at same time Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Beef Cow Nutrition Cow Priorities For Nutrition - Body Maintenance - Lactation - Growth (young females) - How long do they grow? - Reproduction Young cows grow until approximately 4 years of age. Therefor, young cow’s BCS should be maintained at one level higher during the year to get the same reproductive performance. Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Nutritional Needs Change During the Year For nutritional and most management purposes, the annual production cycle for the beef cow can be divided into 4 phases: Pre-calving, Postpartum, Lactating and Pregnant, and Gestation. Each one of these phases is physiologically unique and each has its own set of nutritional requirements (Figure 1). Calving is the event on which all of these periods are based, so that's where we will start.   Postpartum (after calving) is the 80 to 90 day period that begins at calving. It is the period of greatest nutritional demand. Cows must lactate, repair their reproductive tracts, resume heat cycles, breed, increase activity and, if young, grow. All these processes put considerable strain on the cow. However, her voluntary feed intake, how much feed she will eat, is highest during the postpartum period. If she is not fed to meet her nutritional demands, she will fail or be delayed in rebreeding and lose weight. Lactating and Pregnant is a period of 120 to 130 days. Nutritional requirements are still high. However, energy requirements decrease about 13% and protein needs about 8% compared to the postpartum period. During the lactating and pregnant period, cows reach peak lactation and then decrease milk production. Cows are pregnant, but the limited fetal growth does not add much to requirements. However, activity is still high, and two and three year-olds must continue to grow. Cows usually lose some weight during this period. Gestation is the 100-110 day period immediately after the calves are weaned. Nutritional requirements are at their lowest because lactation has ceased. Energy needs are 23% less than the previous period and protein requirements drop by 36%. This is the best time to put weight back on thin cows and increase body condition to BCS 5 or 6. Cows are pregnant, but growth of the developing calf is still slow and activity decreases; however, heifers still need to gain 1 to 1.5 lbs per day. The cow's voluntary feed intake is lowest during this period. Pre-calving is the period 50 to 60 days immediately before calving. This is the most critical period of the year. Cows must reach or preferably maintain body condition score 5 or 6 during this period. Cows must calve in body condition score 5 or greater to have healthy calves and breed back quickly. Energy and protein needs increase by 20% or more compared to gestation. Fetal growth is rapid. The calf may gain 60 lbs during pre-calving, and the placenta is also growing. Cows need to gain 1 to 1.25 lbs per day, while heifers and young cows need to gain 2 to 2.5 lbs per day. Along with fetal and placental growth, cows are preparing for lactation. Late in this period feed intake may decrease because the fetus and associated structures take up space normally occupied by the rumen. Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Is Your Feed Program Working? How do you monitor success for the year? - Sold a calf from each cow - (high %) What else can you monitor to see if your livestock are getting the correct amount of nutrition? - Weigh regularly - Does not take into account the frame size or fill - Body Condition Score (BCS) Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Body Condition Scoring As producers we can monitor the effectiveness of our nutrition program over the long-term by performance records. Short-term checks using BCS allows us to fine tune nutrition and avoid “train-wrecks”. Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

What is Body Condition Scoring? Body Condition Scoring (BCS) is a management tool producers can use to evaluate body fat and muscle mass compared to frame size in livestock. - Why is this important? “Most reproductive failures in beef females can be attributed to improper nutrition and thin body condition.” Stephen Boyles (OSU Beef Specialist) Body condition score (BCS) of beef cows at the time of calving has the greatest impact on subsequent rebreeding performance. The postpartum interval is the length of time from calving to first estrus (heat) after calving (Dr. Rick Rasby, University of Nebraska – Lincoln) Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Body Condition Scoring When to Evaluate BCS - 60-90 days before calving - At calving - 45-60 days after calving - Weaning Body condition scores are a reliable guide for evaluating day-to-day nutrition status and no scales or headgate is needed. Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Body Condition Scoring BCS Description 1 Emaciated - Bone structure of shoulder, ribs, back, hooks and pins sharp to touch and easily visible. Little evidence of fat deposits or muscling. 2 Very Thin - Little evidence of fat deposits but some muscling in hindquarters. The spinous processes feel sharp to the touch and are easily seen, with space between them. 3 Thin - Beginning of fat cover over the loin, back and foreribs. Backbone still highly visible. Processes of the spine can be identified individually by touch and may still be visible. Spaces between the processes are less pronounced. 4 Borderline - Foreribs not noticeable; 12th and 13th ribs still noticeable to the eye, particularly in cattle with a big spring of rib and ribs wide apart. The transverse spinous processes can be identified only by palpation (with slight pressure) to feel rounded rather than sharp. Full but straightness of muscling in the hindquarters. 5 Moderate - 12th and 13th ribs not visible to the eye unless animal has been shrunk. The transverse spinous processes can with firm pressure to feel rounded noticeable to the eye. Spaces between the processes not visible and only distinguishable with firm pressure. Areas on each side of the tail head are fairly well filled but not mounded. 6 Good - Ribs fully covered, not noticeable to the eye. Hindquarters plump and full. Noticeable sponginess to covering of foreribs and on each side of the tail head. Firm pressure now required to feel transverse processes. 7 Very Good - Ends of the spinous processes can only be felt with very firm pressure. Spaces between processes can barely be distinguished at all. Abundant fat cover on either side of tail head with some patchiness evident. 8 Fat - Animal taking on a smooth, blocky appearance; bone structure disappearing from sight. Fat cover thick and spongy with patchiness likely. 9 Very Fat - Bone structure not seen or easily felt. Tail head buried in fat. Animal's mobility may actually be impaired by excess amount of fat. Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Body Condition Scoring Body scoring is a subjective assessment tool that can be done visually or by palpating the animal. You will become more accurate in scoring as you gain experience. It is important to have proper guidance when learning, and takes practice to become consistent. Choose one or both methods and be consistent each time you score. You are evaluating the animal for amount of muscle, skeletal features, and fat cover (deposition) in several places on the animal’s body. Begin at the front of the animal with the brisket and shoulder, then move to the ribs and back, and finally to the hooks, pins and tail head. View the animal from the front, side and rear. If you choose to palpate, use just the areas where fat is the only tissue between the skin and bone (ribs, back, hip, and pin bones). Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle, 7th Revised Edition, 2000 Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Body Condition Scores Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Body Condition Scores Body Condition Score 1 Brisket, Back No detectable fat Emaciated Ribs, Hooks, Pins, Tail head These areas project prominently Emaciated Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Body Condition Scores Body Condition Score 2 Brisket, Back No detectable fat Poor Condition Ribs, Hooks, Pins, Tail head Tail head and ribs prominent Very Thin Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Body Condition Scores Body Condition Score 3 Brisket, Back Thin Condition Very little detectable fat Ribs, Hooks, Pins, Tail head All ribs visible Thin Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Body Condition Scores Body Condition Score 4 Brisket, Back Borderline Condition Spine slightly visible Ribs, Hooks, Pins, Tail head Outline of 3-5 ribs visible Some fat over the ribs and hips/hooks BCS 4: If a cow is BCS 4 or thinner, she will be slow to return to heat and may not rebreed on time. Feeding a high level of nutrition after calving can sometimes shorten the postpartum interval from calving to first heat in thin cows (BCS 3‐4), but the postpartum interval will usually be longer than if the cows had calved in good condition (BCS 6‐7). Therefore, early weaning the calf at 50 days of age or at the start of the breeding season may have to be considered. Manage these cows with those in the BCS 6 group. The calves can be raised on self‐feeders using an early weaning ration. The cows, even if quite thin, should return to estrus within three weeks after weaning and will thus rebreed to have a calf next year. It is far easier and cheaper to make cows gain weight before calving than after calving when the added requirement of lactation is present. A parasite evaluation is certainly merited. (Boyles, S., http://agnr.osu.edu/sites/agnr/files/imce/pdfs/Beef/BeefCowNutrition.pdf) Borderline Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Body Condition Scores Body Condition Score 5 Brisket, Back Moderate Condition No outline of spine Good overall appearance Ribs, Hooks, Pins, Tail head Outline of 12-13 ribs visible Fat over hips, but still visible Some fat cover beside tail head BCS 5: If a cow is a BCS 5, continue to feed hay or grain and protein supplement to insure she doe not lose condition before the breeding season. Many cows calve at condition scores less than 5 and still have excellent rebreeding rate when weather and nutrition conditions do not cause extraordinary stress during this critical period (two months before calving through the breeding season). A borderline 4‐5 BCS cow that is exposed to severe environmental stress may require the calf to be removed for 48 hours, 10 days before the breeding season. This should help a stressed BCS 5 cow to return to heat and rebreed on schedule. This program will probably not work with very thin cows. The calves should be offered palatable feed and plenty of water while they are separated from their dams. (Boyles, S., http://agnr.osu.edu/sites/agnr/files/imce/pdfs/Beef/BeefCowNutrition.pdf) Moderate Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Body Condition Scores Body Condition Score 6 Brisket, Back High moderate Condition No outline of spine Some fat in brisket & flank Ribs, Hooks, Pins, Tail head Ribs no longer visible Must use pressure to feel bone Moderate fat beside tail head BCS 6: If she is a BCS 6 (or even fatter), continue with normal management and feeding. While good body condition at calving time is an indication that rebreeding should proceed without difficulty, good condition at calving does not guarantee acceptable rebreeding performance. Cows losing condition after calving have lower conception rates than do cows maintaining condition.(Boyles, S., http://agnr.osu.edu/sites/agnr/files/imce/pdfs/Beef/BeefCowNutrition.pdf) Good Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Body Condition Scores Body Condition Score 7 Brisket, Back Good fleshy appearance Fat in brisket & flank Ribs, Hooks, Pins, Tail head Hips slightly visible, ribs not visible Some udder & tail head fat Thick spongy fat beside tail head Very Good Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Body Condition Scores Body Condition Score 8 Brisket, Back Fat, fleshy & over conditioned Bone structure not visible Large fat deposits in brisket Ribs, Hooks, Pins, Tail head Large fat deposits over ribs and tail head Fat Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Body Condition Scores Body Condition Score 9 Brisket, Back Extremely fat, wasty & patchy Bone structure not visible Extreme fat deposits in brisket Ribs, Hooks, Pins, Tail head Extreme fat deposits over ribs and tail head Mobility possibly impaired Very Fat Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Effects of Body Condition Body condition score (BCS) of beef cows at the time of calving has the greatest impact on subsequent rebreeding performance. The postpartum interval is the length of time from calving to first estrus (heat) after calving. For a cow to maintain a 365 day calving interval, she must rebreed by 82 days after calving (283 day gestation + 82 day postpartum interval = 365 days). On the average, cows that calve in a BCS 3 or 4 have difficulty exhibiting their first heat by 80 days after calving. Whereas cows that calve in BCS 5 or 6 tend to exhibit heat by 55 days after calving and; therefore, have a better opportunity to maintain a 365 day calving interval. Although cows that calve in a BCS of 7 have a short postpartum interval, it is not economical to feed cows to a condition score of 7.(Dr. Rick Rasby, University of Nebraska – Lincoln) Rasby, R. University of Nebraska Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Effects of Body Condition Influence of Body Condition on Return to Estrus Cycles of Beef Cows BCS Score at time of Calving 3 4 5 6 7 Post partum interval, (Days) 88.5 69.7 59.4 51.7 30.6 Houghton, etal., 1990 Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Effects of Body Condition Time of Calving and Conception Rate Calving Date Ave. number of days from calving to start of breeding (May 1) Cows conceiving on first service Feb 10-Mar1 70 62% Mar2-Mar21 50 58% Mar22-Apr10 30 33% Apr11-May1 10 This table demonstrates that animals having a shorter interval from calving to the start of the breeding season have a lower pregnancy rate on first service than those having a longer interval from calving to the start of breeding. Iowa Beef Center Beef Cattle Handbook BCH-2210 Wiltbank, 1972 Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

The Costs of a Slow Return to Estrus Does it cost you money if a cow doesn’t breed the first cycle after turning the bull in? Interval of Heat Missed Calf @ 2.0# Rate of Gain/Day Calf @ 2.5# Rate of Gain/Day Calf @ 3.0# Rate of Gain/Day 1 Cycle (21 days) -$ 73.50* -$ 91.88* -$ 110.25* 2 Cycles (42 days) -$ 147.00* -$ 183.76* -$220.50* 3 Cycles ( 63 days) -$ 220.50 -$ 274.64* -$ 330.75* Note*- All prices were calculated using a standard price of $ 1.75/lb. Actual loss will be more if calves sell for more $ 1.75/lb. Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Realizing the Cost Research from Texas A&M University shows heifers that calve in the first cycle as 2-year-olds have a lifetime return on investment of 10% or more compared with those that initially calve in the second cycle. In essence, an 8- or 9-year-old cow that calves in the first cycle each year profits the equivalent of one and a half to two extra calves in same period that cow calves in the second cycle. 1 Cycle (21 days) -$ 73.50* -$ 91.88* -$ 110.25* $73.50 x 8 = $588.00 $91.88 x 8 = $753.04 (lost over the lifetime of the cow) $110.25 x 8 = $882.00 Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Nutrition is Key Nutrition is key to first-service conception rates. Energy and protein are essential to breeding success. We often focus on protein requirements, but may overlook energy. Energy needs of a lactating beef cow at breeding time is influenced by age, milking ability and body condition score (BCS). Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Nutrition is Key Protein in a lactating beef cow should be approximately 10.5% to 11%. Some hay sources will meet both energy and protein requirements. However, when poor-quality hay or crop residues are used, supplemental sources of energy and protein such as corn co-products are excellent replacements. Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Nutrient Requirements Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

1100 lb. cow, 15 lbs. milk/day STAGE 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 NEm, Mcal/d 15.6 11.9 8.1 10.3 PROTEIN, lb/d 2.7 2.1 1.4 1.6 CALCIUM, g/d 33.0 27.0 17.0 25.0 PHOSPHORUS, g/d 25.0 22.0 17.0 20.0 VITAMIN A, Iu/d (thousands) 39.0 36.0 25.0 26.0  The beef cow's nutritional requirements are influenced by stage of production. The production cycle of cow herds can be divided into four stages: (1) calving to breeding--70 to 85 days; (2) breeding to weaning--120 days; (3) mid-gestation--100 days; and (4) late gestation--60 to 70 days. Important nutritional considerations in each of the four stages of production are as follows: Calving to Breeding Cows are lactating during this stage of production, causing nutrient requirements to be greater than at any other stage. Cows in moderate body condition need to be fed to meet their nutrient requirements and to maintain body condition during the winter to have a short interval from calving to breeding. Cows in good body condition can lose some condition after calving and still attain a high rebreeding percentage. If cows in good condition are fed to lose weight and body condition after calving, it is essential that spring pastures are early so cattle are maintaining or gaining weight prior to the beginning of the breeding season. Rebreeding performance for cows calving in thin body condition can be highly variable. If thin cows experience little or no stress from calving to breeding, re-breeding can be high. If thin cows experience stresses related to nutrition, weather and calving, rebreeding performance probably will be low. Severely restricting feed to cows in thin and moderate condition after calving will reduce reproductive performance of cows and growth rate of calves. Breeding to Weaning Milk production for most beef breeds will be declining during this stage of production and, as a result, nutritional requirements also are declining. Spring calving cows of average or low milking ability usually will gain weight during this period if on good summer pasture. Limiting nutrition during this time period will result in lighter calves at weaning. Cows bred for high milk production may lose weight and enter mid-gestation in thin condition. Restricting nutrition to cows at this time has little effect on the developing fetus. Mid-Gestation Nutrient requirements for the beef cow are lowest during this stage of production because calves are weaned and the nutrients required by the developing fetus are minimal. Cows in good body condition can lose some weight condition during this period without severely reducing productivity. Cows in thin or moderate body condition must gain or maintain weight and body condition or performance will be reduced. Late Gestation The fetus is growing rapidly during this stage of production, causing the nutrient requirements of the cow to increase. The gain in weight of the fetus, fetal fluids and membranes is about one pound daily for the last 70 days before calving. Cows in good condition can lose some weight during this period and yet give birth to a strong, healthy calf. Cows in thin condition should be fed to maintain or gain weight and body condition. Cows experiencing excessive weight losses during this period will be slow to cycle and rebreed after calving. Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Body Condition Effects Colostrum Thin cows at calving (BCS 4 or thinner) produce less colostrum, give birth to less vigorous calves that are slower to stand and these calves have lower immunoglobulin levels (Table 2, below), thus impairing their ability to overcome early calf-hood disease challenges. This illustrates the importance of targeting mature cows to calve in a BCS of at least 5. Because 1st-calf-heifers have only reached about 85% of their mature weight after calving and require additional nutrients to support growth, they need to be fed so they are a BCS of 6 at calving. (Dr. Rick Rasby, University of Nebraska – Lincoln) Odde, K.G. 1997 Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Minerals in Feed Numerous studies show, when feeding low quality hay, mineral supplementation positively impacts reproductive factors, resulting in quicker return to estrus activity after calving. Most mineral feeding recommendations are 3-4 ounces per head per day. 3 oz. x 365 days = 1095 oz. ÷ 16 oz. = 68 lbs. x $0.46/lb. = $31.28 3 oz. x 365 days = 1095 oz. ÷ 16 oz. = 68 lbs. x $0.65/lb. = $46.24 1 Cycle (21 days) -$ 73.50* -$ 91.88* -$ 110.25* Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

How Do You Monitor Nutrition? Do you monitor the cow patties? What shape should they be? Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Cow Pieology Hay tested 5.1 percent protein, 31.5 percent fiber and 53.7 percent TDN or energy. Hay tested 8.8 percent protein, 32.8 percent fiber and 46.3 percent TDN or energy. Hay tested 14.8 percent protein, 28.2 percent fiber and 57.3 percent TDN or energy. Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

USDA Quality Grades for Beef 9 to 30 mo 30 to 42 mo 42 to 72 mo 72 to 96 mo >96 mo Commercial Cow price $0.75 to $1.00 / lb. Utility Cow price $0.50 to $0.75 / lb. Cutter/Canner cow price < $0.50 / lb. Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Heifer Development Guidelines Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Yearling Guidelines 1 month before breeding season Vaccinate heifers against Vibrio, Lepto, and respiratory disease complex (IBR, BVD, etc.). Boost. Again, MLV vaccines are best. Deworm. Plan the breeding season. 3 weeks before cows? Also, 1 month before breeding heifers need to be vaccinated and dewormed. If using a killed vaccine, heifers need to be boosted 2-3 weeks after initial vaccination. The breeding season also needs to be planned. If you are synchronizing for AI using the MGA-PG system, then MGA feeding should start around now. Feed MGA for 14 days at a rate of .5 mg/hd/day. Already discussed MGA-PG system. Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Choosing Replacement Heifers Retain the biggest heifers at weaning. Positives: -Likely from earlier calving dates. - Likely from heavier milking dams. Negatives: - Biggest heifers may be overly fat. - May lead to a gradual increase in mature cow size. Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

OPTIMUM COW SIZE IMPORTANT FOR EFFICIENCY Cow Size and Nutrition OPTIMUM COW SIZE IMPORTANT FOR EFFICIENCY What size cow is most efficient on your farm? -The industry wants a steer calf that can produce a 700 to 800 pound Choice carcass with a Yield Grade less than 3. Animals that are the most profitable in the feedlot may not have the highest rate of gain, but they gain the most for the least cost. Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Body Size – A Genetic Factor Beef Cow Frame Score - Frame score estimates skeletal size based on hip height measured directly over the hip or hooks - By 7 mo. of age = 80% of their mature height - By 12 mo. of age = 90 % of their mature height By 7 months of age, cattle reach about 80 percent of mature height but only 35 to 45 percent of mature weight. At 12 months, about 90 percent of mature height is reached, compared with only 50 to 60 percent of mature weight. (Texas A&M, E-192) Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Measuring Hip Height Animal standing squarely (natural) on all four feet Standing on even flat surface Measuring stick held square & level. Measure directly over Hips Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Frame Score & Hip Height Age in months 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 7 39.2 41.2 43.3 45.3 47.4 49.4 8 40.1 42.1 44.1 46.2 48.2 50.2 9 40.9 42.9 44.9 49.0 47.0 51.0 10 41.6 43.7 45.7 47.7 49.7 51.7 11 42.3 44.3 46.4 48.4 50.4 52.4 12 43.0 45.0 53.0 13 43.6 45.5 47.5 49.5 51.5 53.5 14 46.1 48.0 50.0 52.0 54.0 15 44.5 46.5 48.5 50.5 54.4 16 46.9 48.9 50.8 52.8 54.8 17 47.2 49.2 51.1 53.1 55.1 18 45.6 51.4 53.4 55.3 19 45.8 51.6 53.6 55.5 20 46.0 47.9 49.8 51.8 53.7 55.6 21 51.9 53.8 55.7 24 48.8 50.7 52.5 54.5 56.4 Mature 53.9 55.8 57.5 H I P H E G T Frame Score 3 4 5 6 7 8 Heifer slaughter weight 900 1,000 1,100 1,200 1,300 1,400 Mature cow weight 1,000 1,100 1,200 1,300 1,400 1,500 http://www.noble.org/ag/tools/livestock/frame-score-calculator/ Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Frame Score Skeletal size(frame score), body weight, and composition example (frame size 5) - Mature cow, medium fatness = 1200 lbs. - Mature cow, extremely thin = 900 lbs. - Mature cow, extremely fat = 1600 lbs. Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Frame vs: Slaughter Weights Frame Score Steer Slaughter Wts. 7 1351 and up 6 1251 - 1350 5 1151 - 1250 4 1051 - 1150 3 951 - 1050 Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Conclusions Good management is rewarded! - BCS is a tool to help monitor nutrition - Proper nutrition is essential - Provide protein, energy and minerals in sufficient amounts at the correct time pays for itself - Use of frame scoring can help produce uniformity in your herd Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA

Use Tools Available for High Profitability Questions ? Monroe County Buckeye Hills EERA