Regional Hay School Presented By Andy McCorkill Livestock Specialist University of Missouri Extension Ph: (417) 345-7551 Email: mccorkilla@missouri.edu
Maintaining proper nutrition is one of the best preventative measures a producer can take to maintain a healthy, efficient herd. Extensive research has been conducted to determine nutritional needs of different animals ands how to meet those needs.
Poor nutrition leads to loses in several areas Reproductive Calf Performance General health Added Expenses More feed inputs Vet Expenses Added Stress to you and the animals
Reduced Conception Rates Lower Calving Percentages Longer Anestrus Period Leads to Fewer Calves on the Ground Lost Uniformity Lighter calves $$$ LOST REVENUE $$$
Reduced Milk Production Less potential for gain Decreased Immune response Stunted Growth Leads to Increased Death Loss Lighter poorer looking calves $$$ LESS INCOME $$$
Increased Vet Expense Reduces Immune Response Calving Difficulty Other Considerations Added Feed Expenses Harder to Keep Animals In
Water Protein Carbohydrates Fats Minerals Vitamins
Cheapest and most abundant Requirements vary by weather conditions Is the base of all fluids in the body i.e. blood Helps move feedstuffs through the digestive tract and to flush waste out of the body Temperature regulation Milk Production
Requirements Approximately 3 # of water/ # of feed intake Mature Cow approximately 12 gallons/day Some comes through feed (% moisture) Drastic changes with weather change Deficiency Reduced milk production Elevated body temperature Death
Composed of Amino Acids Over 20 amino acids 10 of which are essential Build Muscle, Bone, Hair, skin, and other tissue All enzymes and many hormones have protein as a vital component of their make up. Requirements vary in different classes of livestock Age Lactation
ENERGY!!! Includes portions such as Sugars Starches Cellulose Biggest portion of dry matter weight of plants around 75% Needs Vary Greatly
Forages/Roughages First source Lower in Net Energy Large Fiber Fraction Grains/Starches Used as a supplement to forages Higher in Net Energy More Expensive
Can be found in both Plants and Animals 2.25 times the energy of carbohydrates Stored excess energy Available to pull from when the animal s energy requirements are not met.
Small portion of feed intake but very important Big part of bone, muscles, organs, cells and enzymes Structure Production Mineral Deficiency can lead to poor performance and health issues Split into 2 categories Macro minerals Micro minerals
Calcium Chlorine Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Sulfur
Cobalt Copper Fluorine Iron Iodine Manganese Molybdenum Selenium Zinc
3-5% of the body is minerals Calcium mineral with highest concentration in the body About ½ of the 3-5% 99% in teeth and bones Phosphorus is 2 nd About ¼ Over 80% in teeth and bones Try and maintain a 2:1 ratio in ration Urinary Calculi (to low) Absorption problems (to high)
Forage Base Grains Mineral Supplement Bagged Blocks Mix your own
Small amounts needed but play an important role Growth Production Reproduction Animal Health Stresses Disease Fighting Ability
Water Soluble Vitamin C B Complex Vitamins Fat Soluble Vitamins A, D, E, &K
Both Cattle and Horses are natural foragers Forages are our first choice for feedstuffs Nutritional requirements will vary Stage in production cycle Desired performance Rate of Gain Work output
Production Stage Dry Mature Cow Middle 1/3 pregnancy Dry Mature Cow Last 1/3 pregnancy Lactating Cows Average Milk Lactating Cows Superior Milk 2 year old Heifer Lactating Average Milk Dry Matter #/day # Protein % Protein # TDN %TDN 18 1.5 7 9 49 20 1.8 8 10.5 54 20 2.0 9.6 11.5 57 21 2.5 12.3 14 67 21 2.1 10 13 62
Nutritional Requirements of Various Classes of Horses Class of Horse Crude Protein % Digestible Energy (Mcal) Mature Horse Maintenance 7.2 16.4 Mature Horse Light Work 8.6 20.5 Mature Horse Moderate 8.6 24.6 Work Mature Horse Heavy Work 8.6 32.8 2 yo in Training 10.1 26.3 2 yo Maintenance 9.4 18.8 Mare Early Lactation 14 28.3
Type of Hay % CP % TDN Alfalfa Early Bloom Mid Bloom Late Bloom Fescue Early Cut Late Cut Bermuda Excellent Poor Nutritional Value of Various Types of Hay 25 22 17 13 9 16 6 60 58 55 57 50 56 41
Energy
TDN REQUIREMENTS
Palatability Mold Weeds Fescue Problems Insect Damage
Manage Agronomic Issues HAY TEST!!! Sort Hay Develop a Supplement around Forage Base Observation
3.5 7
Nutritional Requirements Vary Management is Key Stay ahead Watch your cows