Week 8
Beef: Cow-Calf |
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Biological Cycle and Nutrient Requirements
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Biological Cycle
Biological Cycle
| Period
|
Length (days) |
| Postpartum |
80 |
| First Trimester |
95 |
| Second Trimester |
95 |
| Third Trimester |
95 |
| Total |
365 |
- Cows should be fed for optimum production, not maximum
- Postpartum Period (80 days)
- Period of highest nutrient requirements
- Must be in adequate body condition
- Reproduction – must conceive by 80 days postpartum
- Forage quality critical
- First Trimester (95 days)
- Milk yield is declining
- Conceptus requirements relatively low
- Second Trimester (95 days)
- Calf is weaned
- Lowest nutrient requirements
- Increase body condition
- Third Trimester (95 days)
- Increasing nutrient requirements
- Monitor body condition
- Thin cows – dystocia, calf morbidity, low milk yield
- Forage quality critical
Nutrients
- Energy
- Considered first in balancing diets
- Maintenance – 77 kcal x BW0.75
- Physical activity – 30 to 50% increase
- Protein
- Most common deficiency
- < 7% CP – ruminal ammonia insufficient
- Reduce digestion and reduced intake
- Protein supplementation - positive associative effect
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