Nutrition
Referencing the same 1,300-pound cow moving from a BCS 4
to a BCS 5 in 80 days, Table 5 represents the additional pounds
of feed needed daily for 80 days to achieve this goal.
Table 5. Additional feed per day for a 1,300-pound
cow to move from a BCS 4 to a BCS 5 in 80 days
Pounds, as fed
Grass hay 14.4
Corn grain 5.5
Corn silage 19.0
Intake alone is not sufficient to increase BCS score. More energy-
dense feedstuffs must be utilized. Adding condition is extremely
difficult in early lactation, especially when dealing with cold
stress. This emphasizes the need to recognize the opportune
times to add body condition and manage feed resources.
It is well established that proper BCS management is critical to a cow’s
ability to reproduce. However, what isn’t as intuitive is what needs
to be done to make the necessary changes. The information to help
you make the appropriate changes is available; if you have a plan
and seek products and answers that work, results will follow. I
Alltech is a sponsor of the 2018 International Limousin Congress.
54 | JUNE/JULY 2018