CattleAnnie
Well-known member
Thought this article might be of interest for those having a hard time finding enough hay for their cattle this winter, and looking for alternative ways of feeding their herd.
~Agri-News Dec.12/05~
When trying to determine how much straw can be used in winter rations for cows, it's important to remember that straw is a low-energy, low-protein feed. Straw is also not as digestible as hay or greenfeed.
On average, a cow can consume 1.25 per cent of its body weight in straw dry matter (DM). This means that a
1400 pound cow could consume 17.5 pounds on a DM basis, or 19.9 pounds on an `as-fed' basis if the straw was 90 per cent DM (17.5/0.9 = 19.9 lbs, calculation adjust for moisture content of the straw).
"Near the end of gestation, the capacity of the rumen is reduced by about 12 to 13 per cent because the growing calf takes up internal space," says Juanita Kopp, forage beef specialist with Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Stettler. "Straw-based rations should not be fed at this time and they should not be fed once the cow has started to lactate; save your best quality feed for this time."
In order of preference, cattle will eat oat straw before barley straw, followed by legume straws, and wheat straw. The quality of legume straw can be extremely variable. The more leaves that are on the stems the better, but it can be very coarse and of poor quality. Coarse stems are also harder to dry down, so moulds may be present.
"Cattle prefer straw that has aged a year or more," says Kopp. "Aged straw is slightly more palatable and digestible."
"Processing does not improve straw quality, but can increase the daily straw intake," adds Kopp. "However, to prevent malnutrition, impaction, poor conception rates and lower milk production, it is important to supply adequate amounts of energy, protein, minerals and vitamins to winter rations for pregnant cows."
Treating straw with anhydrous ammonia is one way to improve its crude protein content and digestibility. In a study conducted by Manitoba Agriculture and Food, the crude protein content of barley straw went from 5.1 to 9.4 per cent crude protein when anhydrous ammonia was applied at 3.0 per cent of the forage dry matter.
"There are a number of protein and energy supplements that can be used to increase the protein content in winter feed to meet intake requirements," says Kopp. "Producers may want to provide a good energy source such as cereal grains or good quality pellets or cubes. Protein can also be supplemented by feeding canola meal, soybean meal or beef protein supplements. If using pellets, producers should request a nutrient analysis, including both the protein and energy values of the product."
When feeding straw-based rations, problems such as impaction can occur. When the weather turns cold, cattle will try to keep warm by increasing their feed intake. Since straw is not easily digested, it doesn't pass quickly enough through the animal and it can become impacted. Impaction may result in the death of the animal, so this is something that producers should watch for.
"Straw and grain are high in potassium (K), and a ration high in K can cause a magnesium deficiency that results in winter tetany," says Kopp. "Winter tetany is similar to grass tetany or milk fever. Limestone or magnesium oxide should be added to the ration to prevent this deficiency."
Contact: Juanita Kopp (403) 742-7901
~
Here's a link to a related article:
Winter Tetany and Winter Rations
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department ... l/agnw8405
~
Take care.
~Agri-News Dec.12/05~
When trying to determine how much straw can be used in winter rations for cows, it's important to remember that straw is a low-energy, low-protein feed. Straw is also not as digestible as hay or greenfeed.
On average, a cow can consume 1.25 per cent of its body weight in straw dry matter (DM). This means that a
1400 pound cow could consume 17.5 pounds on a DM basis, or 19.9 pounds on an `as-fed' basis if the straw was 90 per cent DM (17.5/0.9 = 19.9 lbs, calculation adjust for moisture content of the straw).
"Near the end of gestation, the capacity of the rumen is reduced by about 12 to 13 per cent because the growing calf takes up internal space," says Juanita Kopp, forage beef specialist with Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Stettler. "Straw-based rations should not be fed at this time and they should not be fed once the cow has started to lactate; save your best quality feed for this time."
In order of preference, cattle will eat oat straw before barley straw, followed by legume straws, and wheat straw. The quality of legume straw can be extremely variable. The more leaves that are on the stems the better, but it can be very coarse and of poor quality. Coarse stems are also harder to dry down, so moulds may be present.
"Cattle prefer straw that has aged a year or more," says Kopp. "Aged straw is slightly more palatable and digestible."
"Processing does not improve straw quality, but can increase the daily straw intake," adds Kopp. "However, to prevent malnutrition, impaction, poor conception rates and lower milk production, it is important to supply adequate amounts of energy, protein, minerals and vitamins to winter rations for pregnant cows."
Treating straw with anhydrous ammonia is one way to improve its crude protein content and digestibility. In a study conducted by Manitoba Agriculture and Food, the crude protein content of barley straw went from 5.1 to 9.4 per cent crude protein when anhydrous ammonia was applied at 3.0 per cent of the forage dry matter.
"There are a number of protein and energy supplements that can be used to increase the protein content in winter feed to meet intake requirements," says Kopp. "Producers may want to provide a good energy source such as cereal grains or good quality pellets or cubes. Protein can also be supplemented by feeding canola meal, soybean meal or beef protein supplements. If using pellets, producers should request a nutrient analysis, including both the protein and energy values of the product."
When feeding straw-based rations, problems such as impaction can occur. When the weather turns cold, cattle will try to keep warm by increasing their feed intake. Since straw is not easily digested, it doesn't pass quickly enough through the animal and it can become impacted. Impaction may result in the death of the animal, so this is something that producers should watch for.
"Straw and grain are high in potassium (K), and a ration high in K can cause a magnesium deficiency that results in winter tetany," says Kopp. "Winter tetany is similar to grass tetany or milk fever. Limestone or magnesium oxide should be added to the ration to prevent this deficiency."
Contact: Juanita Kopp (403) 742-7901
~
Here's a link to a related article:
Winter Tetany and Winter Rations
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department ... l/agnw8405
~
Take care.
