Managing Forage Resources for Efficient Beef Production

Reducing costs while maintaining production is one way to improve the economic performance of a cow-calf operation.In large parts of the beef cattle production area, feed cost is a major factor in determining overall economic efficiency.Harvested forages and purchased feed make up the majority of the total feed cost.Given that feed costs are such an important component of most cow-calf operations, we have focused our research on ways to reduce those costs without sacrificing production or by reducing costs relatively more than production.We have demonstrated that reducing the amount of harvested forages fed by extending grazing is an effective means to reduce feed costs and improve net returns in cow/calf operations.Feeding of harvested forages is essential in many production systems.Feeding harvested forages generally occurs when range and pasture forages are dormant and/or cow nutrient requirements are high.When it is necessary to feed harvested forages, feed costs can be reduced with appropriate forage and livestock management.Grazing period can be extended by grazing when harvested forages are traditionally fed.Grazing can be extended by: 1) stockpiling forage for grazing during forage dormancy (i.e., winter), 2) grazing complementary forages that provide more nutrients than the primary forage base or provide forage when other forages are not available for grazing, and 3) matching nutrients available in forages with nutrient requirements of the cow.Complementary forages, calving date, and weaning date are effective ways to match forages with the nutrient needs of the cow (Adams et al. 1996, Valentine 1990, Vavra and Raleigh 1976).When the cow and the range forage are well matched, the cow should receive most nutrients from grazed forages.Adams et al. (1996) suggested that genetic potential for milk production in the cow, and synchrony between the animal s nutrient requirement during lactation, and the highest nutrient value in the forage determine how well the animal and forage resource match.In practice, matching the nutrient requirements of the cow with nutrients available in forages is a challenge because of the cyclicity of both animal requirements and plant nutrients.Grazing low quality forages and matching nutrient requirements of the cow with nutrient content of forages requires a basic understanding of both forage and animal nutrient cycles. Cyclical Nature of Plant NutrientsThe quality and quantity of forage produced on rangelands are highly cyclical, within and between years.Precipitation, plant species, and the proportion of cool and warm season species affect the overall forage quality of rangeland at any point in time.Seasonal changes in nutrient density of rangeland forages are primarily associated with plant maturity (Table 1).Plants contain their greatest nutrient value before maturity.Digestibility of mature range forage may be near 50 percent (Fig. 1).In general, diets from dormant range contain between 5 and 7 percent crude protein with higher concentrations occurring in late summer and early fall and lower concentrations occurring during late fall and winter.Plants in a vegetative state generally contain over 10% crude protein (Fig. 2. ) Extending Grazing in Spring Calving SystemsFeeding hay and other feeds can be reduced by grazing during winter and early spring.Coady June-calving cows were fed an average of 227 pounds of hay/cow/year compared to an average of 3947 pounds of hay/head/year for March calving cows during the first three years.Protein supplement fed to June calving cows (154 pounds/year) has been greater than that fed to March calving cows (95 pounds/year).Birth weights were higher for June born calves (92 pounds) than March born calves (89 pounds).Although birth weights were greater, we observed less dystocia with the June calving cows than March calving cows.In addition summer calving cows were checked morning and evening during calving while March calving cows were checked about every two hours during the first three weeks of calving.Calving shed, and associated pens and equipment were not needed for June calving cows.Average calving dates were March 30 and June 29 for March and June calving herds, respectively.Calf scours have not been observed in the June calving system.Pregnancy rates and weaning rates were 94.8%, 88.8%; and 91.9%, 88.9% for March and June calving cows respectively.Weaning weight was 59 pounds higher for March born steer calves (480 pounds) than June born steer calves (421 pounds).