Feeding cattle Flashcards

Question

What are common winter feed problems in the winter for cows

Answer 1

Moldy feeds Reduced nutritional quality Risk of abortions and other reproductive problems Moldy sweet clover Sweet clover high in courmarin Converted by moulds to dicoumarol Interferes with metabolism of Vitamin K Bleeding problems, death

Answer 2

Ruminal microbes can synthesize amino acids using Non-protein nitrogen source Carbohydrate source Dietary energy Need at least two-thirds of nitrogen as dietary protein Energy is limiting factor High producing animals Lactating dairy cows, feedlot calves Require all/most of dietary nitrogen as protein Microbial synthesis of amino acids from urea requires too much energy Beef cows in mid gestation Can be fed urea

Answer 3

Usually seen in late pregnancy/early lactation Early or rapidly rising lactation Dairy cows after parturition Going off feed also predisposes Affects all types of muscles Weakness and recumbency Increased demand for calcium overcomes the ability to maintain homeostasis Body stores (bone) are adequate Low plasma ionized Ca++ Calcium removal exceeds replacement from diet and bone Mobilization from bone cannot keep up Avoid high calcium concentrations in prepartum ration High calcium rations prepartum down-regulate the regulatory system `

Answer 4

Anionic diets DCAB (dietary cation-anion balanced feeding system) DCAB promotes acidic condition, which promotes calcium mobilization Magnesium Important in PTH secretion and activity and activation of vitamin D Low magnesium diet inhibits PTH secretion and prevents activation of Vitamin D

Answer 5

Basal Diet? Typically hay How much? Maintenance, 1.5% of body weight 1200lb mature cow 18lbs feed

Answer 6

“Creep feeding” Grain mixture or high- quality forage accessible only by calves High-fibre Corn gluten, dry distiller’s grain, soyhulls Salt-vitamin-mineral mix Commercial 14-16% protein creep feed

Answer 7

Must be fed separately Weigh about 53-65% of mature weight at breeding Usually breed one cycle (21 days) before cows 13-14 months of age Better observation at calving Short calving period Need to gain about 0.5 kg /day from weaning to breeding

Answer 8

Grass hay (75%), and grain (25%) Corn silage (96%), protein supplement (4%) Alfalfa / grass hay mixture Feed ad lib (2.5% of body weight plus wastage)

Answer 9

Summer-at pasture Next winter Still require separate feeding Require more feed than adults as still growing

Answer 10

Growing bull calves require balanced ration Yearling bulls fed extremely high energy diets prone to disease and reduced longevity Deficiency of carotene, phosphorus, energy and protein can reduce fertility Ensure present in adequate amounts in ration 6-8 weeks prior to breeding

Answer 11

Enter feedlot Immediately following weaning After backgrounding (yearlings) Less disease Purchased from a variety of sources Shipped long distances Comingled High risk of (respiratory) disease Especially at entry into feedlot

Answer 12

Growing, feeding and managing steers and heifers from weaning until they enter the feedlot Feed is typically forage-based Some grain may be fed Control weight gain Gain enough muscle and bone before laying down fat covering and marbling

Answer 13

Buy “preconditioned” calves Adapted to partial grain diet Dewormed Vaccinated May be favored by small feedlots Buy poorer calves Less expensive Favored by feedlots with good treatment protocols Concerns about policing of preconditioning

Answer 14

Growth initially restricted by a low energy (roughage) diet Poorer body condition Placed on a high energy diet Eat more, grow faster, less energy used for maintenance compared to better conditioned animals Attain normal mature size Favored by buyers

Answer 15

FED AD. LIB First two weeks-good quality hay. Then switch to higher energy diets Transition Diet Growing-finishing diet Contain 30% or less roughage Contain grain and often a protein supplement.

Answer 16

↑ Rapidly fermentable carbohydrates Accumulation of VFA ↓ Ruminal pH Grain overload - Ruminal pH < 5 - Lactic acidosis and acidemia - CV collapse, shock, death Subacute Ruminal acidosis - Ruminal pH 5.6-5.2; repeated occurrence - Indigestion, decreased feed intake - Bacterial leakage into the portal circulation can result in liver abscesses Slow transition to allow ruminal mucosa time to adjust Longer forage particles

Answer 17

Frothy bloat Production of insoluble slime by rumen bacteria when fed high-carbohydrate diets Particularly if feed is too finely ground Fermented gas entrapment by the fine particle size Most common in cattle on grain diet for 1-2 months Increase in level of grain feeding? Slime-producing rumen bacteria proliferate to large enough numbers

Answer 18

Possibly added fat at up to 4% of DM Excess fat levels may be unpalatable and affect rumen microbes Sources–rendering, vegetable oil, kitchen grease Advantages Increased caloric density Less dust loss

Answer 19

Reduce dust loss (blown away) in dry feed Reduce sorting Selective eating of more palatable feeds Improve palatability Usually used on dry (90% DM) diets Beet molasses Cane molasses Tempering feed with water

Answer 20

Sodium Bicarbonate About 0.75% of diet DM Protects against ruminal acidosis Improves feed intake

Answer 21

Antibiotics that are not medically important. Not used therapeutically or in non-ruminants Lasalocid (Bovatec) Monensin (Rumensin) Used in feed

Answer 22

Especially effective against G+ve Alter ruminal microbial population Increase propionate Decrease methane Reduce amino acid degradation

Answer 23

Routinely added to feedlot diets Improved feed efficiency as less methane wastage 2.5-25% inc feed efficiency 3% dec dry matter intake 2.5% inc average daily gain Less ruminal acidosis Off feed, mild bloat, +/- diarrhea, low rumen pH More meals, eat more evenly Less bloat Coccidiostats

Answer 24

Determine nutrient requirements, feed intake and desired weight gain for each class of cattle Feed-test “on-farm” feeds to determine nutrient levels Determine required “off-farm” feedstuffs (protein supplements, minerals, feed additives, vitamins...) Formulate rations Implement the nutritional program and monitor the performance of the cattle Adjust rations according to weather conditions and animal performance Designing a diet is complex! It should be done by a veterinary PhD nutritionist If there is concern about the diet, have the feed analyzed

Feeding cattle Flashcards

(49 cards)