Nutrition
Importance of Cow Nutrition from
Calving Through Breeding
By Aaron Berger, University of Nebraska extension
For cow-calf producers, the last few months have been very challenging from a weather
standpoint. This has left many first-calf heifers and cows in less than optimum in terms of body
condition at the time of calving. Weather conditions have also significantly depleted feed
resources available as many producers have had to feed earlier and more than normal.
For cows to start cycling, conceive and maintain a 365-day calving interval, it is important that
thin cows, those in a less than a body condition score of 5, be gaining weight from calving
through breeding. Cows in a body condition score of 5 or 6 need to be at least maintaining
body condition during this time. Now is a good time to assess both cow body condition and
feed resources and develop a plan to provide adequate nutrition to meet cow needs.
Steps to Assess Current Conditions and Develop a Feeding and Management Plan
1. Body condition score cows, making note
especially of higher risk females that
may need additional energy and protein
to meet nutrition needs. Resources
on cow body condition scoring can be
found at the beef.unl.edu website.
2. Inventory feed on hand, noting
both quantity and quality.
3. Prioritize quality of feedstuffs to
younger and thinner females.
4. If possible, sort thin and adequate condition
scores into different feeding groups. This
will help develop a feeding plan that will
maintain cows in adequate body condition or
will provide needed weight gain for thin cows
prior to and through the breeding season.
5. When additional feed resources will need
to be purchased to meet cow nutrient
requirements, consider pricing them on a price
per unit of protein and energy to find the best
buy. The Feed Cost Cow-Q-Lator is an Excel®
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spreadsheet tool that allows producers to
compare different feed options to one another.
6. Identify ways to minimize feed waste
and effectively utilize feed resources.
7. If feeding daily, consider the use of
the ionophore monensin to improve
feed efficiency for cows.
8. The use of CIDRs (Controlled Internal Drug
Release) on cows that are at least 20 days
post calving can help initiate estrus in cows
that are on an adequate plane of nutrition.
9. For thin, lactating, non-cycling cows, early
weaning of calves can provide an effective
way to drastically reduce cow nutrient
requirements and also induce estrus.
Nebraska Extension has both Specialists and
Educators who can assist producers with
developing rations to meet cattle nutrient needs.
Taking time to assess both cow body condition and
feed availability can help producers develop an
effective plan for a successful breeding season. LT