July 3, 2002

Integrating Field Crops into Beef Cow Diets May Help Producers in Drought

As drought conditions become more severe in western and central parts of the state, producers are looking for feeding options for beef cows. North Dakota State University Carrington Research Extension Center research into alternative feeds, drylot management and early weaning should give producers information for feeding and managing a cow herd during drought.

According to an NDSU animal scientist Vern Anderson, North Dakota has a wide variety of abundant feed resources for supporting many more cows and for increasing backgrounding and finishing calves. NDSU research results have shown that cows can be fed a wide variety of feeds that if properly balanced for the cows’ genetic potential, will support satisfactory reproductive performance, good cow condition and healthy calves.

"More responsibility falls on the manager to formulate diets to match respective gestation or lactation needs when feeds are provided versus allowing cows to graze," says Anderson.

Some of the feeds used in successfully balancing diets for lactating cows included small grain straws (wheat, oats, barley), several oilseed meals (crambe, canola, sunflower), screenings (wheat, sunflower, pea, flax, barley), co-product feeds (soyhulls, barley malt pellets, wheat midds oat hulls, potato processing waste, corn processing co-products) and conventional grains such as corn and barley. Anderson says co-product feeds were preferred to grains as the starch from grains will reduce forage digestibility to some degree. For optimum forage digestion, limit grain to four pounds per day.

"In the current feed crisis, however more grain should be fed where little or no forage is available. Cow performance can be supported on limited amounts of grain or co-product feeds," Anderson says.

There are some concerns of vitamin and mineral nutrition and palatability with the extensive use of co-products. Anderson recommends a vitamin A supplement that can easily and inexpensively be injected or added as a dry supplement to the feed. Extra calcium may also be needed to balance higher phosphorus levels, and a micro-mineral supplement is recommended. Palatability issues can be avoided by mixing questionable feeds with other ingredients.

"Although the research in integrating crops and cows was not conducted as a drought strategy, our experience with drylot cows provides basic information on how cattlemen can manage cows and early wean calves," Anderson says.

The Carrington Research Extension center originally used the study for economic conditions in North Dakota. Only 16 to18 percent of agricultural income is attributed to livestock in North Dakota while surrounding states realize more than 40 percent of agriculture income from livestock enterprises. Virtually all available rangeland is grazed, so increased cow numbers must be supported with crop biomass, Anderson says. The economic effects of increased cow/calf production based on cropping system biomass and the use of more co-products in-state could be substantial, Anderson reports.

When comparing drylot production with traditional pasture, drylot cows required a lower capital investment per cow, but labor needs were greater for drylot cows. Data shows the total annual cost per head was $305.70 for drylot cows and $308.98 for high-production range cows. Data from the 2001 statewide average of North Dakota Farm Business Management report showed the net improvement for farms and ranches with crops and cows was $8,986 over a crop only farm.

"The livestock sector is poised for significant growth which could enhance producer returns as well as the overall economy of North Dakota," Anderson says, "While feeding calves is a major emphasis area, cows should not be ignored in terms of capturing value from feeds and forages."

He reminds producers that cow health and condition should be continually evaluated and consult beef cattle specialists if you have questions on feeds or strategies for feeding in drought or other scenarios.

Anderson will talk more on the topic at the NDSU Carrington Livestock Field Day, Tuesday, July 16.

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Source: Vern Anderson, (701) 652-2951, vanderso@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Writer: Stephanie Renner, (701) 231-8371, Stephanie.Renner@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu