Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle

  • Nov 27, 2018
  • in Beef
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Herd of cattle standing in a pasture.

Agreement beef cattle nutrient requirements is a critical step in developing a nutritional management strategy for the herd. Nutritional decision making is a fundamental factor determining beef cattle production and profitability. Acceptable diet is required for growth, maintenance, lactation, and reproduction. The following tables highlight daily nutrition dry out thing and nutrient density requirements for dissimilar classes of cattle at various stages of production based on the National Research Council's Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle:

  • dry matter intake
  • total digestible nutrients
  • crude poly peptide
  • calcium
  • phosphorous

Tables 1 and 3 show the requirements of growing and finishing steers and heifers. Each table is presented based on their anticipated mature weight. For steers, this represents anticipated slaughter weight. Requirements for heifers are shown as predicted weight at maturity with a trunk condition score of 5.

Tables 4 through 6 show the nutritional requirements of brood cows. These requirements are based on months since calving. Each table assumes that calves will exist weaned at 7 months of age. This corresponds to a decrease in nutrient requirements at this time indicate within each table. Within a given weight group of cows, nutrient requirements change based on the anticipated size of the calf to exist weaned. The weights presented are for a vii-month-old male calf. Therefore, if 205-day weights are bachelor, it becomes piece of cake to determine the nutrient requirements for a item herd during whatsoever month of the year.

Table vii is a summary of the requirements of pregnant replacement heifers relative to the time of calving. This table also accounts for the nutrients needed for continual growth past the heifers. It is assumed that the heifers are gaining at a charge per unit of 0.73, 0.88, and 1.02 pounds per day for the 1,000-, 1,200-, and one,400-pound heifers, respectively.

The following must be true for these tables to be constructive:

  • Acceptable forage quality is required (≥ 52% TDN, 8% CP). As forage nutritional value declines, dry out matter intake tin can be limited below levels presented in these tables. If this is the case, food requirements as percentages will need to be adjusted.
  • Cattle are in expert trunk status. Mature cows should be a condition score (BCS) five at calving, while heifers should be a BCS half dozen to ensure acceptable rebreeding rates. If cattle are not in sufficient body status, additional energy volition be needed during late gestation to increase BCS. Appendix Table A gives the amount of additional TDN needed in the diet per twenty-four hour period to modify the body condition score in a 60-day catamenia by 1 unit.

Instance. Assume that a group of cows should weigh one,200 pounds at a body status score of v. This herd is within 60 to lxx days of the showtime of the calving season, and they have an average condition score of 4. The herd records indicate that the average 205-24-hour interval weight for the male calves is approximately 560 pounds. From Tabular array 5, we determine that the cows volition consume approximately 24 pounds of dry matter per twenty-four hour period and that they require 52.3 percent TDN and 7.7 percent CP. Considering we desire to button these cows from a condition score 4 to a score of 5 in the sixty days earlier calving, we need to provide an additional 2.6 pounds of TDN per day. Based on the in a higher place requirements the cows need 12.55 pounds of TDN (24 × .523) plus the additional 2.6 for a full of fifteen.15 pounds per 24-hour interval. Equally a percent, this group of cows would require 63.1 percent TDN during this initial 30 days of the 60-day precalving fourth dimension period.

Kim Mullenix, Extension Beefiness Cattle Systems Specialist. Originally prepared by Darrell L. Rankins Jr., one-time Extension Animal Scientist, Professor, Fauna and Dairy Sciences, Auburn Academy.

Reviewed June 2021, Food Requirements of Beefiness Cattle, ANR-0060

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