NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665

December 3, 1998

Cows Capacity for Eating Alternative Feeds Is Supported by Supplements

It's a amazing what cattle will eat. Their four-part digestive system gives them the ability to nutritionally make use of everything from straw, crop residue and weeds to food-processing byproducts.

But the key to successfully feeding those feedstuffs is balance, notes Karl Hoppe, a livestock specialist at North Dakota State University's Carrington Research Extension Center.

"Producers look at feeding their cattle all kinds of alternative feeds and forages," Hoppe says, "but in most cases, those products don't provide a balanced diet and that means the health or condition of the cow or the developing or newborn calf is going to suffer."

Hoppe says developing a balanced diet for cattle requires that producers know what vital nutritional components are lacking. "It could be crude protein, minerals, energy or vitamins, but unless you know what's not there, you won't know how to balance that ration and add what's needed."

The place to start, Hoppe says, is with a nutritional analysis of the feedstuffs. A number of testing companies will evaluate samples and return the results within a week. Local feed companies or your county Extension office can provide names and addresses.

Next, evaluate the condition of your cows and their environment, Hoppe says. "Are your cows in good condition or do they need a little filling out? What are the weather and housing conditions? Cows in cold weather need much more energy."

Similarly, as cows approach calving, nutritional needs increase to keep pace with the growing calf.

The National Research Council publishes the nutrient requirements of cattle. These requirements are the basis for determing the nutrient needs for North Dakota cows. Extension agents and specialists can specify the needed requirement for your type of cow and feeding situation.

Once producers have evaluated the nutrient content of their feeds and the needs of their cows, commercial supplements as well as grains and other commodity supplements can be used to balance the rations.

Hoppe reminds producers to introduce and increase supplements in the diet gradually to avoid causing digestive upset in the cattle. Also, health problems, changes in the weather and dietary changes could result in the need for adjustments in the amount of supplement needed.

"The idea is to adjust supplementation frequently so the nutritional needs of the cow are always met, but to make any adjustments gradually, in a step-by-step fashion so the digestive system can adapt to those adjustments," he says.

###

Source: Karl Hoppe (701) 652-2951

Editor: Tom Jirik (701) 231-9629