1. Tools to Build the Cow Herd
How to feed cows through a feed shortage
Barry Yaremcio
Beef and Forage Specialist
Ag-Info Centre
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry
Stettler, AB
November 1, 2018

2. Topics to be covered What type of feed should be fed first?
Use of non-traditional feedstuffs
By-products
Light weight grain / spring threshed crops (or baled)
Two year old hay or silage
Spring threshed grain or baled up unthreshed crop
Ration management
Impact of body condition score on cow performance

3. Match feed quality to requirements
Use straw / grain rations, slough hay, chaff piles when nutrient requirements are lowest
Weaned mid-pregnancy cow
Mature bulls
Hailed out crops or frozen late seeded crops are higher quality
Leaf material present, some development in the seed head
Keep high quality forage or silage for growing calves and lactating cows

4. Ionophores Improves digestive efficiency by 5 to 7% in most diets
Helps maintain constant rumen function
Bovatec can be fed free choice
Rumensin can kill horses and dogs
Economic return of roughly $4 for every $1 invested.
Can be put into supplements and pellets
Session 1

5. Cereal Straw Need minimum protein for rumen function
Great filler for rations
Cows in mid and late pregnancy
Mature bulls
Does NOT work in lactating cow or young calf rations
Intake is limited by Neutral Detergent fibre content
1.2% NDF of BW in diet is maximum
Can be 25 to 40% of total dry matter intake per day
Session 1

6. Pea Straw Higher protein content than cereal straw by 2 to 3 %
Energy content is equal or slightly less than oat straw
Is a legume; has a higher calcium content
Different taste
May take 2 or 3 days for cows to get onto feed
Flax straw can contain prussic acid (if green)
Very high fibre content

7. Canola Straw Quality is between cereal straw and pea straw
1% higher protein than cereal straw
Higher calcium level than cereal straw
High acceptance by cattle
Usually will not stay on bedding pack
Hollow stem
Reduced to dust if put through a processor
Can be very dusty / musty depending on harvest

8. Comparison of straws Nutrient Cereal Straw Pea Straw Canola Straw
Protein
4 to 5 %
6 to 8 %
5 to 7.5 %
Calcium
0.13 %
0.85 %
1.35 %
Phosphorus
0.08 %
0.19 %
Magnesium
0.23 %
0.17 %
TDN
40 to 45 %
Current $ / lb.*
3 cents
4 cents ?
* In the bale (depends on area)

9. Weeds Generally good quality feed if cut immature
Limit intake - 20 to 25% of the ration
Pre-harvest interval to be observed if herbicides were applied
Cautions
Oxalates
Nitrates
Alkaloids
Photosensitivity

10. Grazing Stubble fields
Cows will clean up grain that was not harvested – bloat and grain overload
Need a high calcium “feedlot type” mineral
Magnesium deficiency – downer cows
Watch manure consistency
May need protein supplementation
Should be grazed by weaned cows
Session 1

11. Slough hay Quality is dependent on maturity of crop
Generally better than straw but not as good as tame hay
Caution with reed canary grass cut or grazed early in season – alkaloids possible
Poisonous weeds
Water hemlock
Sea side arrow grass

12. Hail Damaged Crops Extremely variable in quality
Depends on stage of crop and extent of damage
Feed testing is a high priority
If heavily fertilized with nitrogen, can have nitrate problems
Either cut immediately or wait 2 weeks
Inclusion can be 15% to 100% of the ration depending on quality
Low soluble sugars present may create problems if ensiled
Re-growth can be very high quality forage

13. Canola greenfeed or silage
Highest quality at late bloom to early pod stage.
Cows will eat the product
Can be as good as a high quality first cut hay
Can be fed as sole forage
Concerns
Nitrates,
Sulfur (polio)
High oil content if cut mature

14. Feeding light weight grain
University of Alberta research Mathison Can J An Sc Sept. 1991
compared 34, 47 and 51 pound per bushel barley
Fed backgrounding and finishing steers
Steam rolled and dry rolled barley
10% alfalfa grass hay in the ration

15. Results
No differences in total starch digestion in finishing rations between different bushel weight barleys
Same rates of gain for all bushel weights
No difference in ADG or FCE between steam /dry rolled barley
No differences in carcass quality or yield, rib eye area or fat depth

16. Conclusions
Light weight barley can be fed to growing / finishing steers
2% lower overall Metabolic energy content with light weight grain
No difference between steam rolling and dry rolling for animal performance
Use consistent bushel weight grain if possible
Adjust rolls to optimize rolling index
Will have reduced performance when grain < 42lb. / bushel
6% decrease in DM : gain ratio at 37 pounds per bushel

17. Processing grain
Calves under 700 pounds chew grain effectively - no need to grind or roll cereals
Over 700 pounds, gulp food – need to process grains
Rolled or ground grain should weigh between 75 and 80% of original bushel weight. (Rolling index)
Too light = too fine
Too heavy = not enough processing

18. Possible Creep Rations
Meet protein requirements of the calf.
400 lb. calf – 18%
600 lb. calf – 16%
Possible grain combinations
40% barley, 40% oats, 20% DDG’s
30% barley, 30% oats, 40% peas
30% barley, 30% oats, 40% Barley malt sprouts
Work with your local feed supplier and nutritionist

19. Limit Feeding in 2002 Research done at U of Alberta (Ellerslie)
Corn was a cheaper energy source than hay
Minimum 0.5% of BW fed as long hay
Corn fed to meet energy requirements
Supplemental protein
and minerals provided
Session 1

21. Results Cows did well on the lower volume of feed for the winter.
Feed costs were reduced
Monitoring cow body condition was critical
Protection from wind and snow necessary to minimize energy needs

22. Protein feeds Feed Protein % Ca % Phos % Corn distillers Grain 30.5
0.05
0.81
Wheat distillers Grain
39.0
0.17
0.96
Barley malt sprouts
22.2
0.19
0.6
Urea
281
---
Lentil screenings
21.0
0.31
0.45
Peas screenings
24.0
0.4
Stillage 48
1.20

23. Calculating cost per pound of protein
Canola meal
38% protein (Dry basis)
Cost $ / tonne
Pounds of protein / T
2204 x 0.38 = 837 lbs.
$372 per tonne / 837 lbs.
44.4 cents per pound of protein
Field peas
24% protein (Dry basis)
Cost $ / tonne
Pounds of protein / T
2204 x 0.24 = 528 lbs.
$240 per tonne / 528 lbs.
45.4 cents per pound of protein

24. Without this information:

25. Over Wintered Crops Red, blue, green and pink molds
Most cereal crops came through the winter in reasonable condition
Some combined for grain
Most was suitable for use in cattle rations
Loss of protein and energy compared to fall values – weathering
Red, blue, green and pink molds
Could contain mycotoxins
Test before using
Feeding limits for wheat due to acidosis, and bloat

26. Mature crops baled this spring
Treat as straw and grain combination in the bale
White mould is a nuisance
Crop
Grain
Straw / chaff
Barley 1
Wheat
0.9
Oats
1.1

27. Basic Rations Mid Pregnant cows (1450 pounds)
21 pounds straw
8 pounds barley
1 pound protein suppl.
Inventory required:
(275 head x 75 days)
20,625 animal days
Late Pregnant cows (1450 pounds)
18 pounds straw
12 pounds barley
1.75 pounds suppl.
Inventory required:
(275 head x 90 days)
24,750 animal days

28. Basic Rations After Calving cows (1450 pounds)
30 pounds hay
5 pounds barley
1 pound protein suppl.
Inventory required:
(275 head x 60 days)
16,500 animal days
Maintenance Mature bulls (2450 pounds)
30 pounds straw
10 pounds hay
5 pounds barley
1 pounds suppl.
Inventory required:
(12 head x 225 days)
2,700 animal days

29. Feed requirements for Breeding Herd
Multiply animal days by pounds per head per day
For example:
Mid pregnancy cows:
20,625 animal days x 18 pounds of straw = 364,770 lbs. Or lbs.
Do the same process for all feeds for the different groups and feeding periods
Total requirements
Straw
Feed bales
Bedding bales
Barley grain
bushels 11,625
32% supplement
38 tonnes
Hay
360 bales

30. Cow Herd -Winter feed costs
Amount
Cost per unit
Total $$$
Straw
1066 bales
$40.00 / bale
$ 42,640
32% Supp
38 tonne
$370 / tonne
$ 14,060
Barley Grain
11,625 bu.
$5.00 / bu.
$ 58,125
Hay
360 tons
$ 200 / ton
$ 72,000
Salt / vitamin / $0.15 / hd / day
$9,686
Total cost
$ 196,331
Average feed cost per head $

31. Feeding hay Average of 40 pounds per head per day
Cost of $0.11 per pound
Total animal days: 287 head x 225 days = 64,575
Feed cost $1023 per cow for the winter.
Difference $97, vs. straw grain ration
Days
Hay
Mineral
Total
64,575
$284,130
$9686
$293,816

32. Body Condition Score BCS 3.5 going into winter, 3.0 at calving
1 BCS change is a loss or gain of 200 lbs... of body weight (Canadian system)
Cow that is 200 pounds light going into winter requires an additional 1400 lbs... of hay just to keep warm.

33. BCS Colostrum Quantity and Quality
Thin cows cannot produce the volume or quality of colostrum than an animal in good condition
Cow BCS (US system)
Item 3 4 5 6
IgM1 (mg/dl)
146
157
193
304
IgG2 (mg/dl)
1998
2179
2310
2349
Odde, 1997
Canadian system score 1 to 5, USA system score 1 to 9

34. BCS impact on milk yield
1 BCS = 200 lbs... of body wt. (Canadian system)
1 lb... fat = enough energy to produce 7 pounds of milk
7 lbs... of milk = 1 pound of calf gain
Maximum feed intake
NRC Beef, 2000

35. ENERGY SUPPLEMENTATION THE LAST 90 DAYS OF PREGNANCY
FEEDING LEVEL HIGH LOW
COWS HEIFERS COWS HEIFERS
CALF B.W
% ASSIST
SCORE
BELLOWS

36. PRECALVING FEEDING LEVEL AND REBREEDING POTENTIAL
______________________________________
PRECALVING DAYS TO % IN
FEED WEIGHT ESTRUS CALF
HIGH
LOW
BELLOWS AND SHORT, 1978

37. BCS – Cows returning to heat
% in Estrus Days Post Calving
BCS at Calving
# of Cows
60 days
90 days
Thin
272 46 66
Moderate
364 61 92
Good 50 91
100
Bellows and Short
Good condition are cows in Body Condition Score of 3 – Canadian system

38. Percent calf crop - average weight of calf weaned per cow exposed
400 lb..
450 lb..
500 lb..
550 lb..
600 lb..
100
400
450
500
550
600 90
360
405
495
540 80
320
440
480 70
280
315
350
385
420
Beef Cow-Calf Manual AgDex 420/10, 2008

39. Effect of Obese Cows on Reproduction
Type of Cow
Normal
Fat
Dystocia % 6 40
Services / conception
1.43
1.7
Milk yield (pounds / day)
14.5
12.6
Weaning weight
372
338
Completed 3rd lactation
12/12
7/12
Arnett

40. How does BCS influence management?
Build cow condition when feed is cheap
Harvest the condition you build at different times of the year
Up to one bale per cow less feed needed for winter with good fall BCS
Use Cheaper Feed System – Skip-A-Day feeding
Limit DMI in dry cow rations or add straw
Monitor conditions after harsh periods of weather

41. Conclusions
Knowing feed inventories, quality and animals to feed are the cornerstones for feeding the herd with a limited feed supply.
Adjust feeding programs now if cows are thin. Save feed, improve cow herd productivity and reduce disease problems next spring.
Ask for help, consultants, feed companies and extension specialists can help with management and nutrition problems.
It is cheaper to move cows to feed rather than feed to the cows
Have a Term Animal Care Agreement in place.
Consider many options before setting direction for the winter.

42. Questions? Barry Yaremcio Beef and Forage Specialist Stettler, AB

43. How to Calculate: For ingredients with a % value:
Calcium 16% on the label
Divide % by % calcium ÷ 100 = 0.16
50 gram mineral intake x 0.16 = 8 grams calcium consumed
For ingredients with a mg/kg:
Copper 3000 mg/kg on the label
Divide grams by 1000 to convert to kg
50 g intake ÷ 1000 = 0.05 kg
0.05 kg x 3000 mg / kg = 150 mg of copper supplied

44. How to Calculate For ingredients with an IU/kg value
Vitamin A at 10,00,000 IU / kg
Divide the grams intake by 1000 to get kg.
20 grams / 1000 = 0.02 kg.
Multiply the kg intake by the strength of the ingredient
0.02 kg x 10,00,000 IU / Kg = 20,000 IU intake

45. Results Light weight barley Digestion Rates
9% less starch content
10% ADF vs 8% for heavier barleys
23% NDF vs 16% for heavier barleys
Digestion Rates
Same rates after 2.5 hrs. of incubation for light and med weight
Heavy barley with slower digestion rate
Steam rolled barley more susceptible to enzyme degradation than dry rolled barley

46. 2 Straw has been included in this ration to add a greater fiber component than hay alone. During drought, conditions may have lowered fibre levels in the forage

47. 1 Rations are formulated for a 1,200 pound cow in good condition during mid to late gestation with no condition score change in 100 days.