Q:
How can I keep my cattle’sbody condition scoresin a sizeable range through wintertime ?
A:
Body condition scores describe the relative fatness of cattle using a point organization , where the low act is “ haggard ” and the gamy is “ obese . ” dairy farm and beef cattle apply a unlike grading arrangement with the dairy farm one based on a 5 - point scale and the beef on a 9 - point exfoliation . Because I ’m a squawk cattle specialist , I ’ll be using the 9 - point scale here .
Provide Quality Feed
Keeping Bos taurus ingood condition over winterwill be most dependent on provender quality . If cattle will be rake brown and torpid forage , it ’s potential that the alimentary capacity will not be adequate to keep dead body status and they ’ll require supplementation .
If cattle will be fedhay , I recommend institutionalize a hay sample distribution into a laboratory for a nutritive analysis . If you ’re unfamiliar with how to collect or institutionalise in a sample , contact your local extension office for assistance . Once the results amount back , they can be compare with the nutrient demand for your production course of study of cows and a ration can be balanced . Again , your local prolongation office will be able to assist with this process , as will your local provender provider .
Set Up Shelter
Another thoughtfulness for overwintering oxen is tribute from the elements . All farm animal have a range of temperatures called the thermoneutral zona in which they do n’t have to expend any energy to maintain body temperature . When the temperature drops below this zone , cows have to use vigor to warm up . That lower critical temperature depends on hair’s-breadth coat and atmospheric condition conditions : With a summer or a wet - to - the - skin hair coat at any temperature , the lower critical temperature is quite warm at 59 degrees F. On the other hand , the lower critical temperature for a moo-cow with a heavy wintertime coating is 18 degree F.
Provide More Food
When a moo-cow is know dusty strain , the major outcome on nutrient essential is an increased need for vigor , which broadly speaking indicates thetotal amount of feedneeds to be increased . A simple pattern of ovolo is to increase the amount of provender 1 per centum for every level of coldness below the appropriate low critical temperature .
In the inadequate term , oxen can make behavioral changes to alter the temperature in their quick surroundings , such as find protection from the wind . In the prospicient terminal figure , the pilus coat is their main defense against cold in combination with those behavioural changes . vim requirements will increase with wet , airy and cold conditions . Creating conditions where Bos taurus are able to find protection from the elements will aid secure a healthy body precondition during the winter time of year .
This article earlier ran in the November / December 2016 issue ofHobby Farms .
