Three Tips for Better Cow Nutrition
Good nutrition is one of the foundations for success in any cattle operation. Obtaining a basic understanding of nutrition and making data driven decisions can give every cattleman an advantage in creating a nutrition program best suited to their operation. The following recommendations may help revise or build a new a nutrition program.
Recommendation #1: Update Skills
Oklahoma State University Extension offers a variety of opportunities to increase beef cattle nutrition knowledge, including a recently launched “Introduction to Beef Cattle Nutrition” online course. The online course is self-paced, introduces participants to the fundamental principles of beef cattle nutrition and walks users through approaches to use this information in an interactive fashion. OSU Extension is offering the course for 20% discount through March, and this discount is exclusive to our readers. To receive the discount, use the code OKCow24. More information on the course can be found at extension.okstate.edu/programs/extension-online-courses/.
Recommendation #2: Forage Testing
Forage testing provides cattle producers with quantitative data which allows them to make decisions based on quality. The results from forage testing are used to calculate ration formulations, estimate feeding value and establish market price for hay sales. The Oklahoma State University Soil, Water, & Forage Analytical Laboratory measures three principal forage quality values: crude protein, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber. These three values can then be used to calculate other quality parameters such as digestible protein, total digestible nutrients, and net energies for maintenance, lactation, and gain. Producers interested in forage testing should contact their local county extension office for more information on submitting samples. Samples should be submitted either through your local County Extension Office (https://extension.okstate.edu/county). Although samples can be submitted directly to the lab (https://agriculture.okstate.edu/departments-programs/plant-soil/soil-testing/) County Extension Offices across the state provide sample bags, tools, and technical assistance for sample collection and shipping, and provide result interpretation.
Recommendation #3: Use Available Tools
The Oklahoma State University Cowculator is used routinely by top producers and veterinarians across the United States and internationally when assessing or developing balanced rations for the cow herd.
Cowculator is a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet designed to assist cattle producers and veterinarians in making informed decisions associated with beef cow herd nutrition. Animal characteristics (such as cow weight, body condition, stage of production and breed), as well as the feed and forage lists can be customized to each operation or specific scenarios within an operation. More information on Cowculator and other useful beef focused decision aids can be found at www.beef.okstate.edu .
