Winters can be brutal in the Midwest, and cattle producers need to have a plan in place to help gestating cows make it to calving time.
Nutrition is a key component, says Julie Walker, Extension beef specialist with South Dakota State University. It’s a good idea to test feed quality before using it, she says.
“We especially want to test hay and silage,” she says. “Much of the Midwest experienced drought this summer, so feed quality is going to be different than it usually is.”
Once quality is determined, Walker says balancing those rations with a supplement may be necessary.
“You want to get through the winter as cheaply as you possibly can without adding an additional financial burden when it comes to feed,” she says.
Body condition scores should also be determined. Ideally, Walker says a body condition score in the 5 to 6 range is recommended for gestating cows during the winter.
Most cows are in their second trimester at the moment, and that’s the easiest time to put weight on them if necessary, says Erica Lundy-Woolfolk, Extension beef specialist with Iowa State University.
This time of year is ideal to check your feed inventory, she says.
“Hay is not cheap right now, but it’s going to be more expensive in February,” Lundy- Woolfolk says. “You want to look for opportunities to graze corn stalks or something like that to help keep cows fed and from having to feed hay earlier than desired.”
Many producers bale corn stalks, and those can be ground and mixed with feed that is more palatable to cows, such as modified distillers.
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“Cows are pretty picky,” Lundy-Woolfolk says. “They aren’t going to want to eat plain corn stalks if they don’t have to.”
She says vitamin and mineral levels also need to be considered. Because of the drought conditions many producers have experienced this year, Vitamin A levels in grass may not be as high as they usually are.
“Cows did not have a chance to get in that lush forage, so they may not be getting the vitamins they need,” Lundy- Woolfolk says, adding Vitamin A levels in hay will dwindle the longer hay is stored.
Water levels also need to be checked, as most farm ponds and other bodies of water are low due to drought conditions.
“We are at low water levels already in ponds, so when that freezes, there will not be much water there for cows to drink,” Lundy-Woolfolk says.
Late fall is also a good time to assess cow health, Walker says.
“We need to make sure cows are properly vaccinated,” she says. “Work with your veterinarian to determine an appropriate vaccination plan.”
Walker says lice can also be an issue during the winter, so cows need to be checked and treated if warranted.
Providing shelter could also be beneficial to gestating cows. Walker says while many pastures do not have permanent windbreaks, temporary windbreaks could be brought in to help cut down on wind speed.
Even feeding cows at the bottom of a hill could offer them some wind protection, she says.
Producers also need to plan for heavy snow, Walker says. She recommends snow be cleared to give cows access to feed, adding they will get more out of that energy if they are not having to walk through heavy snow to get there.
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