Results from an experiment at Kansas State University suggests several
advantages for adjusting energy levels for cold weather. This information
was gathered during the 1979 - 1980 winter. The K-State researchers
used 60 commercial cows fed in dry lot and fed one-half of the cows a steady
diet based upon the thermal neutral requirements for body weight maintenance;
the other 30 cows were fed a ration adjusted for 1% more feed for each
degree of coldness (see the previous topic in the archives
entitled "Managing
the Cold Weather"). Beef cows exposed to cold require more energy
for maintenance therefore the results below indicate the effectiveness
of making those adjustments.
Results of Adjusting Feed Levels for Cows During Cold
|
Ration Adjusted for coldness |
Ration NOT adjusted |
| Weight change during last 4.5 months of gestation |
+115 pounds |
+26 pounds |
| Weight change from fall to following fall at weaning |
+10 pounds |
-93 pounds |
| Percent cycling by 60 days after average calving date |
82% |
65% |
| Estimated date of conception in subsequent breeding season |
June 5 |
June 15 |
The amount of additional feed to account for the cold weather events that
winter would be equivalent to 125 pounds of corn per cow. The advantages
of such ration adjustments would be economically favorable with the reasonable
grain and feed prices of 1998 and 1999.
Source:Ames, D. R.1981. Weather, what can you do about it?, in "Western
Beef Symposium" October 26-27, 1981. Boise, Idaho.
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