Diet for Breed Cows

Breed cows have special nutritional requirements. If these requirements are met, a higher percentage of them will successfully calve and yield a larger calf at weaning. This can be compounded by the fact the cow may be still nursing its previous calf during the early part of its pregnancy with its next calf. The goal of the nutritional plan is to put the cow in shape to deliver a healthy calf, provide enough milk for adequate growth of the calf and maintain the condition of the cow so she can be rebred about 80 days after calving.

  1. Early Gestation

    • If the cow breeds on her first cycle after calving, she will become pregnant about 85 days after calving. By this point the milk production required for its current calf is declining. Cows allowed unlimited access to good pasture will thrive and actually gain weight during this period, according to the Beef Cattle Handbook published by the Iowa Beef Center. Cattle on feed should consume between 19 and 24 lbs. of dry feed, hay or alfalfa, per day, according to Kansas State University.

    Middle Gestation

    • Three months into the 9-month pregnancy, the cow's spring calf should be weaned and the cow no longer lactating. Good pasture will continue to be adequate because the nutritional requirements of the fetus are minimal, according to the Beef Cattle Handbook. Feed requirements for cows actually decline, according to Kansas State University, to between 17 and 22 lbs. depending on the size of the cow.

    Late Gestation

    • By the final 3 months of pregnancy, the fetus is growing at the rate of about 1 lb. per day. This requires an increase in the nutritional requirements for the cow. Dry feed requirements, hay or alfalfa, increase to between 18 and 25 lbs. depending on the weight of the cow.

    First Calf Heifers

    • Young cows that have just given birth to their first calf should be fed separately from older cows, with higher quality rations, according to the Beef Cattle Handbook. These young cows are still growing themselves and, because of their position in the herd dominance structure, are likely to be kept away from feed by the dominant older cows. Include more protein and minerals in the feed for the heifers.

    Weather

    • Cold weather adds to the stress of all livestock, particularly pregnant or lactating cows. Increase feed rations during cold, windy or wet weather to make up for the calories the animal will burn just maintaining body temperature before she can provide for the development of the fetus or calf.