feeding my heifer

[ajplmama]

I live in Dairy country so I have no end of availability of opinions and vets and equipment and places to shop if I want to spend the money. Unfortunately most farms feed TMR and buy or grow their own components. I don't mind mixing a bit but don't want to go crazy with it. I also don't want to feed a hot grain based diet when I have tons of good pasture and hay.

So Rosie will be 2 years old in October and her first calf is due at the same time. She's currently eating about 8 cups of a 13% "show mash" my feed store carries plus all the hay she wants. Last summer she was getting a handful twice a day of sweet feed and pasture. This summer I'd like to utilize the pasture as much as possible but not if it's not enough to support her. Acreage wise, there's lots. I do plan to test my pasture this summer once it emerges.

The feed store I would prefer to use has a couple of bagged feeds available:
"show ration"
13% protein
2.5% fat
7% fibre

16% Gold n' Flow Dairy Ration
16% protein
2% fat
7% fibre

Both contain selenium, sodium, Vit A, D, E, phos, calcium in similar amounts.

Which would be good for Rosie at this point (middle) of her pregnancy. What about once she freshens?

Would it be better to feed bagged grains? They have barley, oats, corn, soybeans, wheat and more.

What suppliments should I be considering? They have 3 types of bagged suppliments with 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1 ratios of calcium to phosphorus along with other vitamins and minerals. Should I be looking at other suppliments too? I know when I had horses we feed selenium seperate because it is so low in this area. They also sell kelp meal (we have fresh in abundance), yub molasses, brewers yeast, flax and more.

Help?!!

[Laura G in Idaho]

I don't feed any grain to young stock unless an animal is weaned early from milk, and then only until the calf is 6-8 months old. You can safely eliminate all grain from her diet until she calves. Pasture or hay is all she needs until then. When she has her calf, give her 1 lb grain for every 3 lbs milk produced, and when it is time to dry her off again, you can eliminate the grain during her dry period. Taking away the grain isn't being mean or cruel. It is actually healthier for the animal, giving the rumen exactly what it wants. You can use an occasional token amount of grain (a handful or so) to coax an animal to do what you want, or to make friends, but it really isn't necessary.

[ajplmama]

I raised her from a 7 day old calf on starter so I used grain fairly heavily from 10 weeks or so til 7ish months when the pasture came in and then weaned her off. I upped the grain this winter again because of advice I received in the winter when it was so cold. So do you think when she's pregnant she really doesn't need it? I'd be very happy about that! I was under the impression that as her pregnancy progressed she needed more than the pasture and hay.

[farmeratheart]

The rule of thumb on grain is 1 lb per gal of milk produced, but each cow is different, some will do well without grain others will not. If you want to reduce or eliminate it do so gradually and keep a sharp eye on her condition. You are lucky to have fresh kelp available, it is a wonderful source of trace minerals. Let her eat as much of that as she wants. You might even want to harvest and dry some to give her during the winter when fresh isn't available. Brewer's yeast is a great source of B vitamins and helps with appetite if you have ketosis issues. It doesn't take much, just a couple of oz per day. If you are in a selenium defiecent area then you should suppliment. Free choice loose mineral and salt.

[Laura G in Idaho]

Farmeratheart, I've always read that the recommended amount of grain while milking is 1 lb grain for every 3 lbs milk produced. So, a gallon of milk weighs about 8 lbs, divide that by 3 and you get 2.67. That's a good starting guideline for concentrates for a lactating animal.

Alicia, I didn't read the first time that you are from Nova Scotia. That's pretty cold, alright. The cow will do best in cold weather if she has plenty of fuel keeping her internal furnace (the rumen) going: hay or grass. The only time I give concentrates to a non-lactating animal is if their body condition warrants it, and then only as temporary assistance to get the cow into the proper condition. Meanwhile, I would be focusing on improving and/or increasing the grass or hay that I am giving the cow so that it would nourish her for proper condition.

As Farmeratheart says, make sure your cow is getting a salt/mineral supplement, and other trace nutrients. Also, as was advised, watch her condition closely, and reduce the grain gradually. Same goes when your cow freshens: watch her condition and production closely as you add more grain to her diet. Once her production reaches its peak, don't increase her grain anymore and watch her body condition. If she starts to gain too much and isn't putting more milk into the bucket, reduce her grain a bit. If she starts to lose weight, then add a little more grain, but always make it a top priority to feed plenty of good quality hay or grass. As her production starts to wane towards the end of her lactation, reduce her grain accordingly. You'll get a feel for it as you gain more personal experience.

There are many on this board who also supplement with specialty ingredients, such as kelp, BOSS, ACV, and so on. I am satisfied enough to use what is readily available in my feed store and haven't gone looking for lots of specialty ingredients.

[ajplmama]

Thanks! I found that she maintained her condition and growth last summer well with just grass so I'm happy to try that again. I too think that this will become easier for me as I gain some more experience.