Nutrition remains one of the most crucial manageable factors for reproduction in a livestock herd, says Dr Francois van de Vyver, national technical manager: ruminants at Nutri Feeds. He says that rather than focusing on a single nutrient, the answer lies in a balanced nutrition programme, which is adapted continuously according to the condition of grazing as well as animals’ production stages.
It is essential that deficiencies are supplemented to ensure optimal production, without losing sight of cost. The composition of the complementary feed is therefore changed according to specific times of the year, and this is where the advice of a nutritionist is worth its weight in gold.
Supplements for overwintering
The nutritional supplements given to livestock that overwinter on natural grazing, are based on the supplementation programme followed the previous summer and autumn and will, in turn, serve as basis for the complementary feed given after winter. Enough dry matter in the form of grazing or hay must be available throughout winter and the production system must be adapted according to the availability of dry matter. Where crop residues are available, the complementary feed must be adapted to the nutritional value of the residues.
According to the standards of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), a dry cow weighing 450kg requires around 4kg of energy and 0,75kg of protein per day just for maintenance. Approximately two months before calving, her nutritional requirements are almost 25% higher and her protein requirement is usually double during this period.
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