Feeding methods for beef cows and calves

This article offered suggestions on how to solve problems with the feeding of beef cows and calves. Most beef herds in the eastern areas of South Africa are in the throes of calving in spring, a time when farmers are hard pressed to provide sufficient feed.

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The farmer must ensure that the cows come into oestrus no later than 60 days after calving; that the cow conceives at the first or second service or insemination; and that the calf be given the opportunity to grow quickly and wean, without creep, at at least 227kg for males and 204kg for females. This requires adequate milk production by the dam, an inherent ability to grow by the calf, and an adequate source of nutrients above those received through the milk.

The nutritional needs of the cow rise sharply after calving and reach a peak two to three months later. The energy needs are about 60% higher than during late pregnancy, and the protein requirements are more than doubled. The cow should therefore be on a good ration, and this can be a problem before the growth of the spring grass.

The focal point in feeding and management of the cow after calving is to achieve the correct nutritional status at the time of mating. Each cow has a high probability of conceiving within a certain range of body weight and condition. The farmer is therefore faced with the following questions:

What is the ‘target weight/condition’ for any particular class of cow?