Cows Need The Right Nutrition At The Right Time
Proper nutrition during each trimester of pregnancy benefits
both cow and calf.
“Take care of Mama” is a saying not to be taken lightly, at least not when it’s in reference to pregnant beef cattle, said Lee Dickerson, a nutritionist with Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC. Dickerson addressed attendees of the 2017 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show during an NCBA Learning Lounge educational session.
“Each trimester appears to be critical,” said nutritionist Lee Dickerson of Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC, sharing how dam nutrition affects development of the fetus at various stages of development.
Dickerson explained that mounting research in the area of fetal programming and epigenetics — which refers to maternal events during the development of the fetus — is revealing that how the female is treated throughout gestation is crucial to the future reproduction of that female, as well as the future performance of her progeny.
He shared that the current paradigm among producers within the industry is that concern with health and nutrition begins after calves are on the ground.
“The brood cow is the only managed species where the industry plans on her to lose weight during gestation,” he said. “Maternal hunger — during green up, drought or winter — is the norm.”
However, Dickerson shared research that shows if first-calf heifers and cows are in a low body condition score during pregnancy, it affects the female’s ability to breed back and the calf’s performance — particularly with implications to future calf health, growth, carcass performance and reproduction.
Dickerson stated, “Each trimester appears to be critical [for proper nutrition and body condition].” He explained that during each trimester important development of the fetus is occurring. At the first trimester the placenta forms and develops, as do limbs and organs. During the second trimester organs grow and muscle tissue develops. During the third trimester 75% of fetal growth occurs — and final development of the lungs takes place, which could be important to influencing future respiratory health.
Dickerson shared results from several research trials indicating that when nutrition was restricted during any of the trimesters, both cow and calf performance were negatively affected.
Thus, Dickerson advocated to cow-calf producers that they should focus on providing nutrition in all seasons via mineral and other necessary supplements so animal performance can be improved and so cows are not forced to “catch up.” He shared that in herds doing this, conception rates and weaning weights have both shown dramatic improvements.
Cattle producers are encouraged to work with a nutritionist to determine the year-round supplement needs of their herd.
For more about Purina, visit www.purinamills.com/cattle-feed.
Editor’s Note: Field Editor Kindra Gordon is a freelance writer and cattlewoman from Whitewood, S.D. This article was written as part of Angus Media’s coverage of the 2017 Cattle Industry Convention. For further coverage, watch future issues of the Angus Beef Bulletin or visit www.angus.media