Adequate nutrition for breeding season success

CONTINUED FROM PAGE C34 rates, increased calf weaning weight, and cows cycling sooner after calving.

Strategic supplementation with rumen undegradable protein may have the greatest promise in two- and three-yearold range cows after calving due to their high lactational and growth requirements. Beginning supplementation soon after calving and continuing through breeding may be a good strategy if forages are lower quality and nutritional demands are higher. These first calf females need to consume a diet that is at least 62% TDN and 10 to 11% CP, depending on the level of milk production expected after calving. Keep in mind that a good energy source (like distillers or an RUP supplement) will be important to think about during this stage of production.

Other Management Options

Perhaps we have evaluated our forage base and realize that we may not have enough grass available to get us through the fall. What are some management considerations that we may need to think about? The first that comes to mind would be early weaning. Implementing early weaning with our young (two and three-year old) cows may be advantageous if they are losing condition. This would allow for lactational demands to be reduced and reduce the amount of forage consumed. The difference in forage intake among our lactating versus a non-lactating cow is about 5 pounds of forage per head per day. Additionally, about 10 pounds of forage is conserved for each day a calf is weaned.

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At a holiday party, two strangers struck up a conversation. After some small talk surrounding work and family, the subject of interests came up. The first woman said, “I’m an avid golfer. I play anytime I get the chance.” To which the second woman responded, “I used to play, but I wasn’t very good and eventually I gave it up.” “You were really that bad?” the first woman inquired. “Yes, I used to score in the low seventies consistently.” “Really?” the avid golfer responded somewhat impressed. “Really,” the second women admitted. “On nearly every hole.”

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BARLEY: Moravian 165, Bill Coors 100 (Molson-Coors contract varieties available here) Hockett, AC Metcalfe, Haymaker and others

SPRING WHEAT:

WB9879CLP*, WB9724CLP*, WB9668, Lanning (high yield Vida replacement) Fortuna, Duclair, HammerAx CoAXium* and others *(PVP) Varieties CLP - Clearfield Plus

WARM SEASON GRASSES: Millet Sorghum Sudan

DURUM: Alzada

For Alforex products and BASF Clearfield Wheats

PULSE CROPS: Lentils, Early Star Yellow Peas, Banner and Aragorn for contract production

FORAGE BLEND

Custom blended or stock blend of 1/3 hay barley, 1/3 forage peas, and 1/3 oats

ALFALFA:

Alforex varieties: AFX429 Rugged and AFX 439 NEW Resolute, Magnum 7, Magnum 7 wet, L-442RR, HayPro, Ladak, Ladak ‘65, and others