Your cattle’s health starts with their nutrition. There are essential nutrients for healthy cattle that are necessary for your herd to remain in peak condition. In this guide to balanced feeding, you’ll learn what nutrients to provide to your cattle, and how they affect their overall health and performance.
The Foundation of Cattle Nutrition
Energy is required to maintain bodily functions, growth, reproduction, and lactation in cattle – and energy comes from essential nutrients. The main nutrients that provide energy are carbohydrates and fats. Carbohydrates, particularly those found in forages like grasses and hay, are the most significant source of energy for cattle. Grains such as corn, barley, and oats are also excellent sources of energy and are rich in calories that are needed to fuel rapid growth and milk production.
When formulating a feeding plan, make sure that the energy needs of your cattle are met based on their age, weight, production state, and activity level. Energy deficiencies can lead to poor growth rates, reduced milk production, and negatively impact overall health. In addition to carbohydrates and fats, the following nutrients are essential for cattle to reach their full potential.
Proteins: Building Blocks for Growth and Reproduction
Protein plays a vital role in tissue repair, growth, and reproduction in cattle. It is made up of amino acids, some of which are essential and must be supplemented through diet. High-quality protein sources include soybean meal, cottonseed meal, and alfalfa. Legumes and high-quality forages can also meet the protein needs of your cattle.
Young calves, growing heifers, and lactating cows have higher protein requirements. Inadequate protein intake can result in stunted growth, lower milk yield, and poor reproductive performance. It’s important to balance protein intake with energy levels, as an excess of one without the other can be uneconomical.
Vitamins: Vital for Metabolic Processes
Vitamins are essential for various metabolic processes and overall health. The most important vitamins for cattle include:
Vitamin A: Crucial for vision, immune function, and reproduction. It is typically found in green forages and hay.
Vitamin D: Essential for metabolizing calcium and phosphorus and is important for bone health. Cattle usually get Vitamin D through sunlight exposure, but it can also be supplemented through diet.
Vitamin E: Works with selenium to prevent muscle degeneration and supports immune function. It is found in fresh forages and high-quality hay.
Vitamin deficiencies can lead to a host of health problems, including reproductive issues, weakened immunity, and poor growth rates. Regularly assessing the vitamin levels in your cattle’s diet can help prevent these issues.
Minerals: The Key to Strong Bones and Vital Functions
Minerals play a crucial role in numerous bodily functions, including bone formation, enzyme activation, and fluid balance. Essential minerals for cattle include:
Calcium and Phosphorus: These are critical for bone health, muscle function, and milk production. A proper balance between these two minerals is crucial, as an imbalance can lead to conditions like milk fever or poor development.
Magnesium: Important for enzyme function and nerve transmission. Deficiencies can lead to grass tetany, a potentially fatal condition.
Selenium and Zinc: These trace minerals are essential for immune function and reproductive health. They also play a role in skin and hoof health.
Providing a mineral supplement, such as a free-choice mineral block or a balanced mineral mix in the feed, ensures your cattle receive the necessary amounts of these critical nutrients.
Water: The Most Important Nutrient
While often overlooked as a nutrient, water is vital to cattle. Water is required for nearly every physiological process, from digestion to temperature regulation. Cattle require large amounts of water, especially during warmer weather or when consuming dry feed. Always make sure that your cattle have constant access to clean, fresh water. Dehydration can quickly and severely impact feed intake, milk production, and overall health.
Feed the Right Balance with Thomas Moore Feed
At Thomas Moore Feed, we carefully formulate each of our cattle feeds to meet the nutritional requirements of your herd. As cattle producers ourselves, we know the delicate balance of quality feed at an affordable cost. You’ll find a feed formulation for every life stage of cattle at a price point that fits your budget. Find a dealer near you to provide your cattle with everything they need to perform and feel their best.
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