Colder weather means it’s time to start thinking about winter-feeding strategies for spring-calving herds. The change in weather and forage availability and quality may require energy or protein supplementation to meet cow nutrient requirements. Since winter supplementation is typically the biggest operational expense, yet an important part in maintaining good body condition prior to calving, here are a couple of considerations to help improve your bottom line.
Consider sorting cows according to age and nutrient requirements. Depending on space, as few as two groups could be formed. The first group should include those 4- to 9-year old cows in good body condition. The second group would consist of young (2- to 3-year olds) and old cows (greater than 10 years). Sorting allows for more efficient purchasing and utilization of supplements.
Determine in advance how much hay you will need. Depending on forage quality, a 1200-pound pregnant cow will consume roughly 2 percent of her bodyweight (i.e., 24 pounds). Since hay has some moisture content (roughly 10 percent), add 2 pounds to our calculation. There will likely be some waste (6 to 20 percent) when feeding hay, so add another 2 to 4 pounds to the total.
Altogether, consider an estimate of 28 to 30 pounds per head per day when planning hay needs. Test your forage so you can accurately predict protein supplementation needs. Use your forage analysis to help guide how much protein you feed. If providing cows with a 30 percent or greater crude protein (CP) supplement, the following amounts could be used as a starting point:
- Poor-quality forage (less than 6 percent CP), 2 to 4 pounds per head per day
- Medium-quality forage (8 to 10 percent CP), 1 to 2 pounds per head per day
- Excellent-quality forage (greater than 10 percent CP), no supplement needed
Consider interval feeding to reduce fuel expense and labor. A 30 percent or greater CP supplement can be fed as few as one to two times per week, and a 20 percent or less CP supplement should be fed at least every other day.
Cold weather increases a cow’s nutrient requirements. Consider making slight adjustments to your supplementation strategy a day before, during and a day after these events.
Adjusting for wind chill, increase supplementation by 1 percent for each degree the wind chill is below 32ºF (i.e., wind chill is equal to 22ºF, which is 10ºF below 32ºF, means a 10 percent increase in supplement amount needed).
