Ration Balancing Checklist for Cattle
Balanced rations ensure cows and calves receive adequate protein, energy, minerals, and dry matter intake to support health, growth, and reproductive performance. The following checklists outline key nutrient targets and practical ration‑balancing rules of thumb for beef cows and calves.
1. Ration Balancing Checklist for Cows
Protein & Energy Requirements
- Mid‑pregnancy: 7% CP, 55% TDN
- Late pregnancy: 9% CP, 60% TDN
- Post‑calving: 11–12% CP, 65% TDN
Key Checklist Items
Dry Matter Intake (DMI)
- Target 2.5% of body weight.
- Cold weather increases DMI to 2.7–2.8% BW.
- For every 10°C drop below –20°C, increase feed by 15% (~6.5 lb hay or 4.5 lb grain/day).
Feed Wastage
- Round‑bale feeders: ~15% waste.
- Forage fed on the ground: ~15% waste.
Body Condition & Nutrition
- Maintain a rising plane of nutrition 3–4 weeks prior to calving.
- TDN deficiencies cause noticeable BCS decline.
Minerals
- 0.1 lb/day pre‑partum; 0.15 lb/day post‑partum.
- 1:1 mineral for legume rations.
- 2:1 mineral for greenfeed, grain, or straw rations.
- Sodium levels > 0.1% reduce mineral intake.
Ca:P Ratio
- Maintain 2:1 to 7:1.
Tetany Ratio
- K / (Mg + Ca) ≤ 3:1.
- Risk factors:
- High K forage (>2%)
- Low Ca forage (<0.6%)
- Low Mg forage (<0.3%)
Feed Supply Estimation
- Use the Rule of Seven:
Combination of Tonnes of silage + bales of hay + bales of straw need to be ≈ 7 (rough guideline for herd feed adequacy).
Additional Ration Notes
- Light barley TDN = 75% (regular barley ~83%).
- TDN adjustment formula for low‑quality forage:
TDN = 88.9 – (0.779 × ADF) - Cowbytes settings:
- Temperature: –15°C (current & previous month)
- Hair depth: 1.3 cm
- Wind: 10 km/h
- ADG: 0.25 lb
- Slaughter weight: 200 lb above cow weight
- Calf birth weight: 95 lb
- slaughter weight: 1350 lbs
2. Ration Balancing Checklist for Calves
Protein Requirements by Bodyweight
- 550–800 lb: 14% CP
- 800–1050 lb: 12% CP
- 1050 lb–finish: 10% CP
Energy Requirements (TDN) by ADG
- 1.5 lb/day: 63–66% TDN
- 2.0 lb/day: 66–71% TDN
- 2.5 lb/day: 73–78% TDN
- 3.0 lb/day: 78–83% TDN
Key Checklist Items
Dry Matter Intake
- Target 2.5–3.0% BW.
Practical Feeding Rules
- Rancher Rule 1: 60% roughage + 40% grain → 2.5 lb ADG
- Rancher Rule 2: 85% grain + 15% roughage → 3.0 lb ADG
Feed Ingredients
- Wheat: use up to 40% of ration; typical inclusion 20%.
- Corn silage: limit to 60–65% of ration DM; balance with hay + grain.
Minerals
- 0.1 lb/day.
- 1:1 mineral for legume rations.
- 2:1 mineral for greenfeed, grain, or straw.
- 0.1% sodium reduces mineral intake.
Ca:P Ratio
- Maintain 2:1 to 7:1.
Tetany Ratio
- Maintain K/(Mg + Ca) ≤ 3:1.
- Watch for high K (>2%) and low Ca or Mg forages.
Feed Supply Estimate
- For backgrounding:
3 tonnes silage OR 1 tonne hay per calf for a 90‑day feeding period.