After breeding, requirements for protein and energy during gestation may be met with good quality forages. In general, the feeding of corn silage during this period should be limited to no more than one-half of the diet dry matter, preferably less. This it to prevent fattening, which increases disease risk at calving.
Full Answer
How can I prepare my cows for breed back?
Concept•Aid contains high levels of Vitamin E to promote reproductive tract repair and increased embryo integrity as well as OPTiMIN organic trace minerals for 57 times more rumen stability. Keeping this in mind, perhaps the best approach to prepare cows for breed back, is to be proactive in their nutritional needs.
What do you feed your cattle?
This would include grass, hay, haylage, grain, bagged feed you bought for them, whatever they are eating for the day. Roughage -the part of the cattle ration that is plant leaves and stems, not grains. The most common purchased roughage for cattle would be hay, the most commonly eaten roughage is grass.
When is the best time of year to breed cows?
When the calves are born early spring or early fall this puts your “breeding back window” (2 months later) in spring or late fall – the perfect time for breeding. Summer is the time to avoid trying to breed. When it’s really hot some cows simply won’t ovulate.
How can I make sure my bull will settle cows?
Ensuring your bulls are in optimal condition and have been on a high-quality mineral leading up to the breeding season are essential to making sure he will settle cows. A breeding soundness exam is a low-cost management tool that should be completed at least 30 days prior to turn out to ensure no bad surprises come next calving season.
Which feed is best for pregnant cows?
High-quality grass hay, or a grass/alfalfa mixed hay would be ideal for cows in late-stage gestation. Cows are very efficient in their utilization of nitrogen,” he says. “If the fall pasture forage is low on protein you can extend the use of their pasture with a protein supplement.
How long do you have to wait after breeding cows?
It takes at least 30 days after calving for a cow's reproductive tract to return to normal. Therefore, some cows can be bred starting 45-60 days after calving.
What nutrients do pregnant cows need?
As mature cows move from mid to late gestation, they need a 20 percent increase in crude protein intake and 16 percent increase in total digestible nutrient intake to keep up with increasing fetal growth. This need for additional nutrients is magnified once a cow calves and must produce milk for a calf.
What do you feed a bred cow?
Set cows up for success by providing them with quality cattle mineral and protein supplements. A good, year-round cattle nutrition program supports improved breeding rates. Try Purina® cattle mineral today through the Feed Greatness® Challenge.
How many times will a bull breed the same cow?
In addition, the herd bull influences overall herd fertility more than any other single animal, and loss of fertility by a bull can cause substantial loss to a potential calf crop. Each cow produces one calf per year; however, bulls should contribute to the calf crop by 25 to 60 times via siring 25 to 60 calves.
How long should you leave a bull with cows?
Leave bull B alone with the cows for at least two weeks, and for the rest of the breeding season if his body condition stays above a score of 5. It is critical to favor this young bull during his first breeding season. Turn bull A back out with the cows after bull B has had his two-week learning experience.
Is salt good for pregnant cows?
The sodium supplement increased the birth weight of their calves but after 6 weeks there was no difference between treatments in calf weight. In addition to milk, calves in both treatments were offered a choice of concentrates with normal or high sodium concentrations (5·8 and 10·8 g/kg dry matter, respectively).
Is molasses good for pregnant cows?
M8U (molasses plus 8% urea) M8U is a common supplement for survival/drought feeding, spike feeding pregnant heifers and cows, and keeping growing steers and heifers growing slowly during the dry season.
How do you take care of a pregnant cow?
A heifer after 6-7 months of gestation should be tied with milking animals; and its body, back and udder should be massaged....DAILY FEED REQUIREMENTS OF A PREGNANT ANIMAL.Green Fodder15-20 kgDry Fodder4-5 kgCompound Cattle Feed2-3 kgOil Cake1 kgMineral Mixture50 g1 more row
What is the cheapest way to feed cattle?
“Corn residue is one of the lowest cost forages on a cost per pound of energy. That's why mixing a high energy and protein feed like distillers' grains with a low quality forage like corn stalks is so cost effective. Distillers' is often a low-cost source of both energy and protein.
Do cows need grain everyday?
The grain finished cattle need to be checked regularly and fed daily. They live in the pasture their entire lives and also receive natural grain during the last 6 months of their life. It's up to them on if they eat the grass or grain.
What is the best grain to feed cows?
Corn, oats, and barley are the primary grains fed to cattle. Oats, which has a lower energy value due to its high fiber content, is considered the "safest" grain in regards to potential digestive disturbances.
How many times can you breed a cow?
Theoretically, a cow could give birth more than once during a year if she rebreeds quickly. Good management practices when raising cattle recommend waiting to rebreed cattle until their calves are older. If a cow rebreeds within 82 days of calving, she will give birth in one year.
How soon will a cow come back in heat after calving?
High milk-producing breeds and strains of cattle take longer to start cycling again after calving than lower milk producers. Mature cows usually take about 60 days to come on heat again after calving; young cows may take 90 days or more.
How often can a cow get pregnant?
It usually works out that cows are giving birth every 12-14 months. With the life span of U.S. dairy cows averaging 4-6 years, most cows have 2-4 calves in a lifetime.
How often can a cow be bred?
After calving, cows resume estrus cycles within 40 to 60 days postpartum. In order to maintain a yearly calving interval, we want cows to be bred within 80 days post calving. Therefore, during a 64-day breeding season, cattle have three opportunities to become bred (once every 21 days).
When should I start developing calf heifers?
“Ideally, you would develop them separately because your heifers are technically not mature until they are around three years of age.
Does Concept Aid help cows?
Concept•Aid contains high levels of Vitamin E to promote reproductive tract repair and increased embryo integrity as well as OPTiMIN organic trace minerals for 57 times more rumen stability. Keeping this in mind, perhaps the best approach to prepare cows for breed back, is to be proactive in their nutritional needs.
Do cows calve without difficulty?
Today’s cow-calf producers place extremely high production demands on their cows for them to remain in the herd. Producers expect their cows to calve without difficulty, provide enough colostrum and milk for a rapidly growing calf, come in heat quickly after calving and conceive early in the breeding season.
How long does it take for a cow to reproduce?
The basic production cycle for cattle is a 9 month gestation, birth on grass, staying with mom until weaning, being put with peers to grow until reaching finishing weight. The reproduction cycle is pretty much the same, with a breed back included for the cows or the initial breeding cycle for heifers.
Why do cattle herds use A.I.?
Many cattle herds use A.I. for breeding. Some producers love A.I. others would just rather get a bull. Here are some of the advantages of A.I.: You don’t have to feed or handle the bull. Multiple bulls can be used in the herd. Cows can be bred for individual improvements.
What is roughage in cattle?
Roughage -the part of the cattle ration that is plant leaves and stems, not grains. The most common purchased roughage for cattle would be hay, the most commonly eaten roughage is grass. Ruminant -cattle have a stomach with four compartments. This special stomach allows them to break down fibrous plants into energy.
What is feed to gain ratio?
Feedlot -a contained area where feeder cattle are fed out. Feed to Gain Ratio -the amount of feed, usually concentrates, needed for one pound of gain. The number will be written as a ratio, for example: 8:1, which would be 8 pounds of feed for one pound of gain.
What is cattle reproduction?
Cattle reproduction is a cycle that has stages of the reproduction and growth that repeats every year. For anyone who didn’t grow up with cattle, the terms cattlemen use, in person or in information, can be confusing at first. No worries, once you learn the basics it gets tons easier!
What is a cow?
Cow -an adult female that has had a calf, usually she is two or older. Cow/calf -this is the operation or the farm/ranch, meaning the cattle here are having calves. Cull- remove an animal from the herd, usually for poor performance. A cull will be sold for beef. Heat cycle -the 21 day hormone cycle for cattle.
Can cattle be grazed?
Feeder cattle can be grazed or in feedlots. Depending upon the individual operation and the resources available, cattle may be finished on grass or in a feedlot. The decision here is usually money. Grass based finishing of cattle takes longer and more land, feedlot finished cattle reach selling weight faster.
Why is it important to feed cows?
Principle 2—It is important to properly feed cows so that they can show estrus early in the breeding period. Table 2 shows that cows that display estrus within the first 21 days of breeding have higher pregnancy rates compared to cows displaying estrus after the first 21 days of breeding. Consequently, pregnancy rates are high in herds ...
When do cows calve?
The start of calving is dictated by the start of breeding. Cows calving in the fall normally need more supplemental feed in the winter, unless cool season pastures are used, than do cows that calve in the spring. Fall-born calves will be marketed in the spring and calves born in the spring will be marketed in the fall unless ...
Why should cows not be calving in Texas?
However, there are breeding and calving dates that probably should be avoided because differences in climate in regions of Texas can affect the availability and conditions of pasture needed for nutrition of pregnant cows and calves. There are a few principles about fertility in cows that a producer should consider in deciding when to breed ...
How does calving affect cattle?
As any cattleman knows, the time of year when cows calve directly affects many herd management practices: 1 The start of calving is dictated by the start of breeding. 2 Cows calving in the fall normally need more supplemental feed in the winter, unless cool season pastures are used, than do cows that calve in the spring. 3 Fall-born calves will be marketed in the spring and calves born in the spring will be marketed in the fall unless the producer can retain ownership of calves past weaning.
What are the principles of fertility in cows?
Principle 1—Regardless of management influences, fertility among cows is variable. Table 1 shows that fertility is highest in cows that conceive at first service, and it is clear that cows requiring more ...
Where is calving not recommended in Texas?
But summer breeding and summer calving in eastern, central, southern and the Gulf Coast regions of Texas is not recommended.
What does heat stress do to cows?
Heat stress in cows is known to cause hormone imbalances, reduced quality of ova, early embryo death and reduced blood flow to the uterus. These factors, either singly or in combination, result in low fertility. Likewise, bulls also are affected by heat stress that causes sperm cell quality to decline. As a result, when heat stress occurs, its ...
How long is the breeding season for cows?
What was the length of the breeding season — 60 to 65 days is common. A shorter breeding season, especially in drought conditions, could result in more open females. Vaccination program for the cows. Consult your vet to make sure the reproductive diseases are covered.
How long does it take for a cow to invet?
It has been documented in beef cows that uterine involution is not completed by 20 days post-calving, but the uterus is back to its non-pregnant size by 30 days post-calving. Another 10 or so days is needed to complete uterine involution and be prepared for another pregnancy.
How long does a first calf cow have to be exposed to bulls?
If cows are exposed to bulls (bull exposure) after calving, then the PPI is usually shorter by may be as much as 10 days shorter.
How long is the postpartum period in cows?
Not an easy task to accomplish. Usually the length of the post-partum interval (PPI, time from calving to the first estrous cycle) is 45 to 55 days in beef cows. If cows are in good body condition at calving, then the PPI would be in the 45 to 50 day range and if in poor condition, the PPI would be longer.
What is a synchronization program for cows?
There are synchronization programs for cows that use CIDR (progesterone) and GnRH (Cystorelin, Factrel, Fertagyl, OvaCyst). Use of these programs has the potential to induce estrous cycles in cows that are close to cycling.
What is the body condition score for a first calf female?
Calf first-calf-females in a body condition score of 6 (on 1 to 9 scale). A lot of the diets that I see for these females after calving is often deficient in energy. Grass hay and alfalfa don't not have enough energy, so you will need to added some corn, distillers, gluten, silage, etc to the diet.
Can pregnant cows eat forage?
There needs to be some caution when feeding this forage to pregnant beef cows. If the forage is high in nitrites, then it needs to be mixed with a forage that is much lower in nitrates or a forage that does not contain any nitrates. Using other forages, the nitrates can be dilute to safe levels and fed.
When can you breed a cow after having a baby?
Just to be sure you are following me here, if you breed your cow in the first 3 months after they have a baby, it is quite probable you will be successful in getting her pregnant. About month 4, after calving, the milk production really climbs. At 6 months you are drowning in milk.
When do farmers breed their mamma cows?
Reason #2: Farmers “breed back” their mamma cows 2-3 months after they have a calf. This is a beautiful cycle that is done on purpose, intentionally and is healthy for the cow, calf and life in general. This ensures the cow is bred before her milk production spikes. Most farmers in these parts like to have their calves born in early spring ...
How long after calving can you get a cow?
This is the time to get your cow bred. If you wait past that 3 month mark you could run into trouble. About 5 months after calving a dairy cow’s milk production will increase. This is great for all things dairy, but terrible for conception.
How long does it take for a cow to produce milk?
It’s a healthy cycle for the cow: Have a calf. Breed back 2-3 months after calving. Produce milk for 9 (ish) months total. Have a 3 month break (dry time) Have another calf. This additionally provides another cow to the farm each year – which is always a great thing.
When do flies breed?
When the calves are born early spring or early fall this puts your “breeding back window” (2 months later) in spring or late fall – the perfect time for breeding. Summer is the time to avoid trying to breed.
Why do producers manage their first calf separately from their mature cows?
Many producers will manage their first-calf heifers separately from their mature cows in order to make sure they have the nutrition and care they need. Remember, these young females that aren’t quite 2 years old, are still growing and developing themselves, all while developing their first calf in the womb.
What is the best BCS for a first calf?
Heading into the final trimester of gestation, make sure your first-calf heifers are setting at a body condition score between 5 and 6. Considered optimum BCS, this will allow them to calve with ease, under all other good management practices, continue to maintain a good condition and be in optimum condition when it comes time to rebreed. Jeffrey reminds producers that you don’t want your cows too thin or too obese at breeding time, because both physical conditions can cause challenges for breeding.
