Lactation Rations for Beef Cows
Milk yields of beef cows depend upon age and breed of the cow, genetic potential to produce milk, nutritional status, stage of lactation and the capacity of a calf to consume milk (which is influenced by breed, size, age and sex of calf). The following tables show the requirements and suggested rations for Simmental, Charolais and Hereford cows in the first, third and fifth month of lactation.
| Breed and Simmental (1600 lbs, peak milk yield = 27 lbs/day | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Month of Lactation | |||
| 1 | 3 | 5 | |
| Hay | 35 | 32 | 33 |
| Barley | 7 | 10 | 5 |
| Requirements | |||
| lbs DM | 36 | 36 | 33 |
| % TDN | 64 | 65 | 63 |
| % CP | 12 | 12 | 11 |
| IU Vitamin A/day | 82,000 | 82,000 | 76,000 |
| Hay contains 14% protein and 60% TDN (100%) | |||
| Breed and Charolais (1600 lbs. peak milk yield = 20 lbs/day) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Month of Lactation | |||
| 1 | 3 | 5 | |
| Hay | 35 | 37 | 37 |
| Barley | 3 | 1 | - |
| Requirements | |||
| lbs DM | 33 | 33 | 32 |
| % TDN | 62 | 60 | 59 |
| % CP | 10 | 10 | 9 |
| IU Vitamin A/day | 64,000 | 64,000 | 61,000 |
| Hay contains 14% protein and 60% TDN (100% DM) | |||
| Breed and Hereford (1300 lbs, peak milk yield = 15 lbs/day) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Month of Lactation | |||
| 1 | 3 | 5 | |
| Hay | 32 | 32 | 31 |
| Requirements | |||
| lbs DM | 28 | 28 | 27 |
| % TDN | 60 | 59 | 54 |
| % CP | 10 | 10 | 9 |
| IU Vitamin A/day | 64,000 | 64,000 | 61,000 |
| Hay contains 14% protein and 60% TDN (100% DM) | |||
Nutrition Update
Volume 9 No.4, February 1999