Cows' Late Gestation Nutritional Needs

Cows' Late Gestation Nutritional Needs

One of the most critical times in a cow’s nutritional life is during late gestation. Performix Nutrition Systems Animal Nutritionist and Consultant Marty Gill shares some advice for ranchers.
Gill: “This time of year, they certainly need to be monitoring body conditioning scoring — hopefully having cows at typically the 5 to 6 BSC range at calving time. And again if they are not quite there, need to be sure that you are supplementing protein as well as minerals during late gestation because at the time of calving the needs for protein for example is going to jump 50 to 60 percent in the diet as well as a huge increase in the minerals and vitamins required for that cow to milk and support that calf.”
This is never a time in a cow’s life to skimp on nutrition. Gill continues
Gill: “If you cheat the cow or short that cow nutritionally and she is not in that 5 or 6 body condition score range — you are going to pay for it after calving at some point. It is going to be less milk production than she is genetically capable. Which means that the calf doesn’t gain weight as fast and it cost you money. And/or in combination with slower return to estrus or cycling. So you miss a cycle or two of getting her bred. You are talking about a serious amount of money being left on the table.”

 

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