During the early months, most cool-season grasses contain well over 10.5 percent crude protein, which is the minimum requirement for a mature, lactating cow. By late summer and into fall, the crude protein is likely to have dropped to or below 6 percent. The grass is much drier, more lignified, less digestible and thus less palatable to cattle.

Jason Duggin

Fit for winter

Such dietary conditions may cause your cattle to lose weight and become unfit for your desired winter-feeding regimen. Bearing in mind these possible dietary conditions, it is important to monitor your cattle regularly to ensure they are maintaining a desirable body condition and that no dietary supplements are needed.

This may be especially important for first-calf heifers that are not only working to raise their first calf but are also growing themselves and hopefully maintaining a recent pregnancy. If you decide a protein supplement is necessary, remember that not all protein supplements are the same, and the cost per unit of protein is not the same for all supplement options.

In addition, it is also important to keep a free-choice mineral supplement available to your cattle. Most quality mineral packages will provide the required minerals needed year-round. In some cases, it is a good idea to adjust your fall mineral formulations to account, and adjust if necessary, for the depletion of critical minerals in the forage such as phosphorus.

Weaning

With weaning on the horizon, it is particularly important to be sure your calves also have adequate opportunity to consume minerals. Trace minerals such as copper and selenium will help boost a calf’s immune system, helping it to better cope with the stress associated with weaning.

In areas where molybdenum or sulfur content is high in forage, copper levels available to cattle may be inhibited. Under these circumstances, it is important your mineral supplement has higher concentrations of copper.

A key ingredient to healthy cattle is a quality nutrition program. Now and throughout the next few months, keep an eye on your cattle’s diet. Provide a cost-effective supplement as needed, and you will likely obtain the desired levels of performance in your herd.  

• Les Nunn

• Bear Lake County Extension Educator
• University of Idaho
• Email Les Nunn