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COWS-fed-barely-sprouting-fodders, page : 60
Without proper nutrition a growing heifer will not have a proper growth rate neither will it become sexually mature before you want it to breed. However, do not overfeed them so that they become fat because fat is detrimental to future fertility.
A heifer is sufficed on green grass that provide all the nutrients necessary for a growing calf, but in the late season pasture grass may be mature and dry. Once the grass stops growing you will need to feed the heifer hay to meet its nutritional needs. If there is still grazeable grass, heifers may need only a part feed of good alfalfa hay to supply the protein and vitamins lacking in the grass. A mix of good grass hay and alfalfa is ideal if there is no pasture to graze.
Hay versus Grain:
Unless you are short of good hay do not feed grain. If heifers need grain to grow fast enough to gain proper breeding weight and sexual maturity on schedule they will not be profitable cows.
Keep your ultimate goal in mind which is creating efficient and healthy herd of cows. A heifer that is overly fat isn't as fertile as she could be and when she does become pregnant there is the possibility of calving problems because of the fatty deposits in her pelvic area. During the later stages of labor a fat heifer tires more quickly which can lead to her being unable to deliver the calf herself with out your help.
When to feed grain:
There are times when you may need to feed grain, i.e. you do not have good pasture, alfalfa hay is expensive etc. If you suffer from drought or you do not have space to pasture the heifers and can't find good hay at a good price then substitute grain for part of the ration. Feed grass hay, a little grain, and a protein supplement. When in doubt ask your vet for ration advice.
Feeding for Growth:
When a calf is properly fed and managed after it has been weaned, heifers can continue to grow well without getting fat. If a heifer weighs 500 to 600 pounds after weaning and has a genetic potential to weigh 750 – 800 pounds at 15 months which is the breeding age, she must gain 200 – 300 pounds in the 160 days between weaning and breeding. If she is fed on good hay alone she should be able to gain 1.2 pounds to 1.8 pounds a day or even more. This is weight is easily attained by crossbred heifers during winter, however, if your hay is poor or a heifer needs more feed to grow at this rate, add a little grain to her ration but remember to start her very gradually.
Know your cattle, keep a close eye on the appearance of heifers. Watch to see if they seem full-up - that is a well rounded abdomen with no ribs showing. Growing heifers
A heifer is sufficed on green grass that provide all the nutrients necessary for a growing calf, but in the late season pasture grass may be mature and dry. Once the grass stops growing you will need to feed the heifer hay to meet its nutritional needs. If there is still grazeable grass, heifers may need only a part feed of good alfalfa hay to supply the protein and vitamins lacking in the grass. A mix of good grass hay and alfalfa is ideal if there is no pasture to graze.
Hay versus Grain:
Unless you are short of good hay do not feed grain. If heifers need grain to grow fast enough to gain proper breeding weight and sexual maturity on schedule they will not be profitable cows.
Keep your ultimate goal in mind which is creating efficient and healthy herd of cows. A heifer that is overly fat isn't as fertile as she could be and when she does become pregnant there is the possibility of calving problems because of the fatty deposits in her pelvic area. During the later stages of labor a fat heifer tires more quickly which can lead to her being unable to deliver the calf herself with out your help.
When to feed grain:
There are times when you may need to feed grain, i.e. you do not have good pasture, alfalfa hay is expensive etc. If you suffer from drought or you do not have space to pasture the heifers and can't find good hay at a good price then substitute grain for part of the ration. Feed grass hay, a little grain, and a protein supplement. When in doubt ask your vet for ration advice.
Feeding for Growth:
When a calf is properly fed and managed after it has been weaned, heifers can continue to grow well without getting fat. If a heifer weighs 500 to 600 pounds after weaning and has a genetic potential to weigh 750 – 800 pounds at 15 months which is the breeding age, she must gain 200 – 300 pounds in the 160 days between weaning and breeding. If she is fed on good hay alone she should be able to gain 1.2 pounds to 1.8 pounds a day or even more. This is weight is easily attained by crossbred heifers during winter, however, if your hay is poor or a heifer needs more feed to grow at this rate, add a little grain to her ration but remember to start her very gradually.
Know your cattle, keep a close eye on the appearance of heifers. Watch to see if they seem full-up - that is a well rounded abdomen with no ribs showing. Growing heifers