Submitted by: Brandy Brabham, WVU Roane County Extension Agent, 304-927-0975
Southern States of Spencer is collaborating with WVU Extension to offer an informative dinner meeting about beef nutrition as now is the time that producers should be thinking about weaning calves to add value or preparing the herd for winter. On Thursday, August 24, 2023 at 6:30 PM at Heritage Park Community Building in Spencer, WV, Will Streaker of Hubbard Feeds will provide some information about beef nutrition and the products that Southern States has to assist in balancing a beef ration, enhancing the growth potential of weaned calves, and supplying adequate nutrition to the cow during the sixty days prior to calving and immediately after calving. He will also be accompanied by Ryan Bapst of Ridly Block, who will discuss the importance of vitamin and mineral supplementation to the beef ration.
Streaker stresses, “Weaning is one of the most stressful periods in a calf’s life. Stressors affecting calves during weaning include physical, environmental, and immunological.” According to local WVU Extension Agent, Brandy Brabham, “One of the things we have the most control over is nutrition. In many cases, the calf’s nutrition through the weaning period will largely consist of the dam’s milk and the pasture grazed. However, there are other instances when nutritional supplements of protein and energy should be provided as part of a “preconditioning” program for calves. Many preconditioning programs last at least 45 days and include a program for nutrition as well as vaccination.”
According to Streaker, “Providing proper nutrients to the calves can help them grow and improve health as well. Most supplemented calves gain more than their counterparts.” Brabham says, “Creep feeding calves a protein and energy supplement when calf prices are high can be a wise investment. Supplemental nutrition is important when pastures are in poor condition, or in other instances when forage may be limiting (e.g. late fall calving), and when the dealing with first or second year calving cows.” She counters, “If calves will be retained for backgrounding or heifer replacements, post-weaning is the best time to supplement nutrients.”
For the cow herd, there is seldom a period during the year when the cow cannot meet her nutritional needs with reasonable quality grass, a complete mineral program, hay, or stored forages. The exception for these nutritional needs is for the sixty days prior to calving and immediately after calving. Lots of data shows that cows in poorer body condition at calving will take longer to breed back, have lower rebreeding rates, and have a shorter life in the herd than cows in adequate condition. First and second-calf cows are most vulnerable since they are adding growth to the stress of lactation and reproduction. Key vitamins and minerals can assist in quicker and more successful re-breeding. The restriction of feed intake or quality pre-calving will have significant impacts on many economically-important issues of beef production, and there will be life-long effects on calf performance. Come to the meeting to learn more!
Pre-registration required for meal planning by noon on Monday, August 21 at the WVU Roane County Extension office located in the lower level of the Roane County Library or contact the office by phone at 304-927-0975 or email at roanecountyextension@mail.wvu.edu.
