C4-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, September 12, 1992 Beef Briefs TEMPERATURE AND FEED REQUIREMENTS There continues to be plenty of grass available in pastures across most of Pennsylvania, and this will result in beef cows entering the winter in good to excellent condition. The biggest problem encoun tered by most producers has been the quality of the second cutting hay that was made. Even though the cows are in good flesh now, that hay will be the source of some concern later in the winter. The fall condition of a beef cow is related to the feeding program she should have for the winter. For example, cows with a condition score of 2-3 would necessarily have to gain 100 pounds or more before calving if they are going to milk well and rebreed. With most cows having a score of 5-6 this year, that weight gain may not be necessary. However, there are two things that will dras tically change the feeding prog ram. First, the last trimester of pre gnancy and early lactation will result in a two- to three-fold increase in protein requirements. The poor quality of some of the hay made in the last month will force some sort of supplemental feeding if these protein require- • Agricultural • Commercial • Residential Partial In-Ground Tank Featuring Commercial Chain Link Fence (5’ High - SCS Approved) • Retaining Walls • Bunker Silos • Manure Storage, Etc. LET OUR EXPERIENCE WORK FOR YOU-ESTABLISHED SINCE 1979' WE ORIGINATED THE CONCRETE SYSTEM! Sizes And Layouts To Your Specifications We Work Hard For Customer Satisfaction! by John Comerford Penn State Beef Specialist ments are to be met Secondly, cold and/or wet con ditions will increase the feed needs of the cow. Late pregnancy and early lacta tion protein needs can be met in a variety of ways. A good quality legume hay is probably the easiest way to meet the need. Protein blocks and lick tanks are also used for additional protein, but you have to remember that many of these products contain large amounts of urea as the protein source. If you are forced to feed some lower quality hay, there may not be enough energy in the diet to use the urea to produce protein and it is just excreted as ammonia. You end up, then, with a cow that is both energy and protein deficient. Also, energy deficient cows will often overconsume the molasses carrier for the protein as a source of energy, and the cost of feeding can get out of hand. Where there is some protection available from the weather, an effective protein supplement can be built from soybean meal and mixed with salt to control consumption. Call me or your local extension office for a fact sheet, “Using Salt in Grain and Protein Supplements.” Winter temperature can also INC. 430 Concrete Ave., Leola, PA 717-656-2016 effect feed needs. The critical temperature the temperature below which a cow will start to use additional feed energy to keep warm will determine what the feed requirements are in cold weather. Unlike at calving and lac tation, the protein requirement of a cow does not increase in cold weather. The nutrient needed is energy, and the cheapest source of energy is plain shelled com. For mature beef cows with a good hair coat, the critical temperature is about 0 degrees Fahrenheit (F). Therefore, most Pennsylvania winters would not appear to be severe enough to increase feed needs. However, a cow standing in a 20 mph wind with an outside temper ature of 30 degrees F has reached her critical temperature. Likewise, wetting the hair of a cow has the same effect as reducing the outside temperature by 40-50 degrees F. The rule of thumb to remember for supplementing energy to cows in bad weather is that for each decrease of 1 degree F below the critical temperature, the energy requirement of the cow goes up 1 percent That is, a cow in a 20 mph wind at 20 degrees F needs the equivalent of an additional 1 pound of com to meet her needs. The effects of temperature and weather will start a “chain reac tion” of undesirable results for cows that may be eating some mar ginal hay this winter after they calve. Cold, wet weather will increase the energy needs of a cow, and no supplementation will result in her using body stores or protein feed to produce energy. This lack of nutrients will result in lower feed production for the calf. A feed-deficient cow will always result in a deficient calfas well, so the calf will suffer from lack of production, reduced ability to fight disease, and reduced abili- Authorized Dealer For KEYSTONE CONCRETE PRODUCTS • H-Bunks * J-Bunks • Trench Silo Walls * Hog & Cattle Slats ty to use passive immunity from scour vaccines and others from the dam. In addition, the month-old calf has a critical temperature of 32 degrees F, so more of its few body stores of energy will be used to keep warm. The result will be poor growing and sick calves and cows that are not milking and fail to get bred. Machinery Enthusiasts Can Join Club WINAMAC. Ind. Interna tional Harvester Collectors is a nonprofit association of enthu siasts interested in International Harvester equipment of all types. It was organized on July 20, 1990, at Winamac. At that time, more than 200 people met to elect nine directors and establish the purpose of the club, and become members. By the end of 1990, there were about 800 charter members. In the past two years the club has grown to almost 1,700 members from all over the U.S. and several foreign countries. To accommodate this number of members, and to provide for more localized involvement for them, the club is sanctioning chap ters in any area where the number of members permit During the past year, chapters have been formed in Missouri, Illinois, Wis consin, and Kansas. lowa is now organizing a chapter. Each year a national conven tion, known as the Red Power Roundup, is hosted by a different MILK. IT DOES A BODY good: In summary, if you are stuck with some poor hay this winter, don’t let the condition of the cow now fool you into believing the hay will be all right There are sev eral things that can change the nutritional needs of the cow, so be ready with a plan and resources of com and protein to make up for the deficiencies. antique power show. Hundreds of collectors come to show off their favorite IH items to the thousands of guests attending these annual meets. Conventions have been held at Edgerton, Wis. on Labor Day weekend. 1991, and Marion, Ohio in June of 1992. Future plans for the Red Power Roundup are Boonville, Mo. September 1992, and Hookstown, Pennsylvania September 1994. The States of lowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and the Dakotas are eligible to host in 1995. The club is planning a winter convention in northern Illinois in late February or early March, 1993. Annual appearances at the Farm Progress Show and the National Farm Machinery Show are also major events for the club. Membership includes two 3 inch logo decals, membership card, and club newsletter. Annual dues are $lO. For membership or information, contact I H Collec tors, RR 2 Box 286, Winamac, IN 46996.
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