Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives
Lactation Rations for Beef Cows
Nutrition Update
Volume 9 No.4, February 1999
Milk yields of beef cows depend upon age and
breed of the cow, genetic potential to produce milk, nutritional status, stage of
lactation and the capacity of a calf to consume milk (which is influenced by breed, size,
age and sex of calf). The following tables show the requirements and suggested rations for
Simmental, Charolais and Hereford cows in the first, third and fifth month of lactation.
Breed and Simmental (1600 lbs, peak milk yield = 27 lbs/day)
Month of Lactation
1
3
5
Hay 35
32
33
Barley 7
10
5
Requirements lbs DM 36
36
33
% TDN 64
65
63
% CP 12
12
11
IU Vitamin A/day 82,000
82,000
76,000
Hay contains 14% protein and 60% TDN (100% DM)
Breed and Charolais (1600 lbs, peak milk yield = 20 lbs/day)
Month of Lactation
1
3
5
Hay 35
37
37
Barley 3
1
--
Requirements lbs DM 33
33
32
% TDN 62
60
59
% CP 10
10
9
IU Vitamin A/day 75,000
75,000
72,000
Hay contains 14% protein and 60% TDN (100% DM)
Breed and Hereford (1300 lbs, peak milk yield = 15 lbs/day)
Month of Lactation
1
3
5
Hay 32
32
31
Requirements lbs DM 28
28
27
% TDN 60
59
54
% CP 10
10
9
IU Vitamin A/day 64,000
64,000
61,000
Hay contains 14% protein and 60% TDN (100% DM)
| For More Information contact your Local Specialist or MAFRI GO Teams Office or Centre. |
