Previous Page | Right click this page to print.

Introduction to Beef: Cow-Calf

Cow-calf operations rely heavily on grazed forages. At many times of the year, these are of low and medium quality. The primary forages they rely on are native range, if you are east of the Cascades and probably improved pastures if you are west of the Cascades. Improved pastures are also introduced pastures. They do rely heavily on grazed forages, but at many times of the year, and an example would be right now, most of the range or even introduced pastures in Eastern Oregon are in the dormant stage. So, you have to supplement with either hay or protein sources or maybe energy sources. Factors affecting the productivity in beef cows is the same in dairy cows. And that is dry matter intake. And usually intake is limited by physical fill. And this is especially apparent in beef cows because they are grazing or consuming very low to medium quality forages.

Previous Page | Right click this page to print.