Calving and Post Calving Nurtition Article submitted by Anipro/Xtraformance Feeds. Anipro/Xtraformance Feeds has been providing high quality supplementation in multiple forms, professionally serviced by our sales staff and dealers for 24 years. In my previous article, I discussed that during a 12-month period, there are specific physiological stages a cow progresses through and certain opportunities, challenges and goals we need her to navigate, to ensure we optimize our productivity, which simply stated is to produce a weaned calf every year. This issue we will specifically discuss the calving/post-calving period. This time frame is approximately 90-100 days in length and the single most important objective is for the cow to give birth to a live and healthy calf. There are many things to consider in advance of this period, but this calf is our revenue from this cow for this year. Our feeding program needs to be at its best during this period as the 56
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cow’s nutrition requirements are at their highest due to lactation. Additionally, it is one of our major goals that this feed program be strong enough to sustain peak lactation as long as possible. In beef cows this is normally 75-90 days. A final challenge during this period is to recondition the reproductive tract for breed back. All elements of the feed and supplementation program (protein, energy, minerals and vitamins) must be in the right amounts and proportions to ensure optimum nutrition during this critical stage. If nutrition requirements are not met, lactation will be reduced, colostrum quality may be lower resulting in a compromised immune system in the calf, and additionally, the cow may fail or
be delayed in breeding leading to offspring which could be restricted in meeting their genetic potential. Nutrient partitioning is a concept in cattle best described as priority of nutrient utilization. Sixty percent of a cow’s daily intake goes to maintenance – the ability to walk, “talk” and breathe. Once this physiological condition is met, nutrients are allocated to weight gain and body condition development. Only after these three “buckets” are nutritionally filled, can the cow lactate to successfully grow a calf and finally fill the fifth bucket, which is reproduction. Protein’s contribution to meeting requirements and satisfying these physiological functions is what drives the animal. Good quality