Cattle nutrition changes with the seasons, affecting health, growth, and output. Here's what you need to know:

• Winter: Cows need more energy to stay warm. At 20°F, they need 12% more food (24% if wet).
• Spring: Slowly switch to fresh grass. Watch for grass tetany.
• Summer: Heat reduces appetite. Provide shade and extra water.
• Fall: Use autumn grass to fatten cows before winter.

Key points:

• Test forage quality regularly
• Adjust feed based on weather and grass quality
• Provide year-round mineral supplements
• Ensure clean water access in all seasons

Quick Comparison:

| Season | Main Focus | Key Action | | --- | --- | --- | | Winter | Energy | Increase feed | | Spring | Transition | Gradual diet change | | Summer | Heat stress | Provide shade and water | | Fall | Weight gain | Use autumn grass growth |

Remember: Slow changes, constant monitoring, and adapting to weather are crucial for healthy cattle year-round.

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Seasons drastically affect what cattle eat and how they use that food. Let's dive into the grass changes and cattle adaptations.

Grass quality and growth fluctuate throughout the year:

• Spring: Peak nutrition
• Summer: Quality declines
• Fall: Nutrients shift to roots, palatability drops
• Winter: Dormant grass, low nutrients

A University of Florida study reveals the impact on cattle:

| Season | Avg. Cow Weight | Body Condition Score | | --- | --- | --- | | Fall (Sept) | 1202 lb | 6.0 | | Spring (April) | 1099 lb | 5.0 | | Summer (Aug) | 1176 lb | 5.8 |

Cows lose weight and condition in winter and spring, then bounce back in summer.

Cattle's food needs shift with the weather:

• Winter: More energy for warmth
• Summer: Less eating, more drinking

Here's the kicker:

• At 20°F, cattle need 12% more energy (24% if wet)
• Summer heat? Water intake jumps 40% (70% for milk cows)

Cattle grow winter coats for warmth, handling temps down to about 20°F before needing extra food.

To keep your herd healthy year-round:

1. Test forage for nutrient content
2. Supplement when grass quality dips
3. Boost winter feed, especially for pregnant cows
4. Always provide clean water, crucial in summer

Spring's here. Time to switch your cattle from winter feed to fresh pasture. But hold up - this shift can mess with your cows' guts. Here's how to do it right:

1. Wait for the grass: Don't rush it. Dr. Katie Mason says, "If it's just a haze, don't graze!" Let that fescue hit 10 inches before full grazing.

2. Ease into it: Slowly add fresh grass over 3-4 weeks. Keeps stomach issues at bay. Keep offering hay during the switch.

3. Watch for grass tetany: Give a high-magnesium mineral supplement (10-14% Mg) for a month, especially for calving cows.

4. Check body condition: Aim for a Body Condition Score of 6 before calving. Keeps cows energized for milk production.

Spring grass grows fast. Too fast, sometimes. Here's how to deal:

1. Rotate grazing: Split pastures, move cattle every 2-3 days. Keeps plants growing and improves pasture use.

2. Set limits: Don't graze below 3 inches. Don't enter a paddock with less than 8 inches of growth.

3. Manage the flush: Spring grass makes 60% of total dry matter by early July. To handle this:

   • Drop damaged paddocks
   • Use temp fencing to increase stocking density
   • Save extra paddocks for hay or stockpile

4. Supplement smart: Spring grass might not cut it for lactating cows. Keep offering:

   • Energy and protein supplements
   • Mineral licks with phosphorus and trace minerals
   • Vitamin supplements

5. Control intake: For bunk-fed cattle, use this guide:

| Animal Weight | Bunk Length Required | | --- | --- | | Up to 400 lbs | 3-4 in/head | | 400 to 600 lbs | 3-4 in/head | | 600 to Market | 4-6 in/head |

When it's hot, cattle need help to stay healthy and productive. Here's how to keep your herd well-fed:

1. Feed at night: Cows eat more when it's cool. Dr. Katie Mason says:

"If feeding once daily, feed at night; if feeding twice or more daily, feed 70-80% of their daily allowance at night."

2. Boost nutrients: Heat cuts eating by 10-15%. To fix this:

   • Use top-quality forages
   • Add more grains and fats
   • Include sodium bicarbonate to fight acidosis

3. Up the minerals: Hot cows sweat more. Replace lost minerals by:

   • Adding sodium, potassium, and magnesium to feed
   • Offering mineral licks

4. Keep feed fresh: Hot weather spoils feed faster. To keep it tasty:

   • Feed more often
   • Add organic acids
   • Remove old feed daily

As summer goes on, pastures often get worse. Here's what to do:

1. Watch protein levels: If pasture protein drops below 7%, act fast. Look for:

   • Weight loss
   • Less milk
   • Poor breeding rates

2. Add protein: Start before cows lose weight. Try:

   • Protein tubs
   • Protein blocks
   • Good hay

3. Rotate grazing: This keeps pastures healthy. Use this system:

| Action | Grass Height | | --- | --- | | Move cattle in | 6-8 inches | | Move cattle out | 3-4 inches |

4. Try different plants: If cool-season grasses struggle, use:
   • Millets
   • Sudangrass
   • Sorghum-sudan hybrids

These handle heat and dry weather better.

5. Give shade and water: Put water and food in shaded spots. Make sure cows always have clean, cool water.

Fall is prime time for cattle farmers. Why? It's all about that autumn grass regrowth. This is your chance to fatten up those cows before winter hits.

Here's how to make the most of it:

1. Test your forages: Know what you're working with. Get that grass tested.

2. Plan for weight gain: Shoot for 1.5 pounds per day. You want your cows at a body condition score of 5-6 before winter.

3. Use strip grazing: Electric fences are your friend. Give cows small sections at a time. It keeps the good grass from getting trampled.

4. Watch the weather: Wet soil? Move those cows. Cow hooves and mud don't mix well.

Want to stretch that grass growth? Here's how:

1. Keep grass tall: Don't let cows munch below 3 inches. Taller grass = better snow protection for the soil.

2. Add cool-season plants: Rye and other cool-season grasses are your late-season heroes.

3. Use stockpiled forage: Save some pasture from August on. It's like a grass savings account for late fall and early winter.

| Stockpile Grazing Benefits | Details | | --- | --- | | Potential yield | 2 tons/acre | | Feeding capacity | 6 animal units for 1 month | | Cost savings | Up to $75 per cow over 60 days |

4. Supplement wisely: Grass quality dropping? Time to add extras. For a 1,300-pound cow, try:
   • 9 pounds of soybean hull pellets daily, or
   • 5 pounds of ground corn daily

Remember: Smart fall feeding sets you up for a smoother winter. Plan ahead, and your cows (and wallet) will thank you.

When it gets cold, cows need more food. Here's how to keep them fed:

1. More food: Cold cows eat more. A big cow needs 13 pounds of good food at 32°F. At 0°F? 17 pounds. That's 4 extra pounds just to stay warm!

2. Better food: Give them fatty, protein-rich food. It's like a warm jacket for their insides.

3. Use feeders: Don't throw hay on the ground. You'll waste half of it. Feeders keep food clean and easy to eat.

4. Night feeding: Big dinner at night helps cows stay warm when it's coldest.

| Tactic | Why it works | | --- | --- | | 20% more food | Builds fat for warmth | | Hay feeders | Cuts waste in half | | Evening meals | Keeps cows warm at night |

When it's too cold for cows, try this:

1. Check the weather: Know when it's going to be extra cold. Feed more before storms.

2. Make windbreaks: Less wind means warmer cows. They'll eat less too.

3. Keep cows dry: Wet cows get cold fast. Give them dry places to rest.

4. Water matters: Big cows need 13-26 gallons of water a day. Keep it from freezing.

5. Watch their weight: Aim for cows that aren't too skinny or too fat. Just right means they can handle the cold.

"Snow on a cow's back is good. It means they're warm enough to keep the snow from melting. That's a happy cow." - Vanessa Trampel, Farmer

Cattle need different food as seasons change. Here's how to adjust their meals:

Changing cattle food too fast can upset their stomachs. Do it right:

1. Start small: Mix a little new food with the old. Dr. Katie Mason, beef cattle nutrition expert, says:

"Slowly remove hay from the diet while adapting cattle back to fresh pasture."

2. Take your time: Give cows 7-10 days to switch from high-fiber to high-energy food. Increase energy gradually.

3. Keep some hay: Even with new grass, give cows some dry hay. It helps their stomachs adjust.

4. Watch the weather: Cold? Add more food. For every 5°C below -20°C, add 1 kg of grain to their usual meal.

5. Check body condition: Aim for a body condition score of 5-6 out of 9 before winter.

| Season | Food Changes | Why It Matters | | --- | --- | --- | | Spring | Add fresh grass slowly | Prevents stomach issues | | Summer | More water, less food | Helps in hot weather | | Fall | More protein | Makes up for less nutritious grass | | Winter | More energy-rich food | Keeps cows warm |

Good food keeps cows healthy all year round. Change slowly, watch closely, and adjust as needed.

Tracking cattle weight is crucial for their health and productivity. Here's how to do it:

1. Use a scale

A livestock scale is the most accurate method. But not everyone has one.

2. Measure with a tape

No scale? Use a flexible tape measure:

• Measure heart girth (circumference behind shoulders)
• Measure body length (shoulder point to pin bone)
• Use this formula: (Heart Girth² x Body Length) / 300 = Weight in pounds

Example: A cow with a 70-inch heart girth and 78-inch body length weighs about 1,274 pounds.

3. Track weight changes

Keep records to spot trends. Dan Loy from Iowa State University says:

"If they're primarily on forage, grazing cattle, stocker cattle, 1-2 pounds a day would be typical. If you're feeding corn silage or kind of a moderate energy growing ration, 2-pounds a day would be typical."

For accurate measurements:

• Measure at the same time daily
• Keep cattle off feed and water for 12 hours before
• Stand the animal squarely, head normal

1. Adjust feed: Boost rations in late fall and early winter.
2. Supplement nutrients: Add minerals, fat, or carbs as needed.
3. Provide quality hay: Use high-protein hay, especially in winter.
4. Manage pastures: Rotate cattle for better forage access.
5. Monitor closely: Watch thin animals, separate if needed.
6. Prepare for weather: Increase feed slightly before storms.

Cattle need minerals and vitamins all year, but their needs change with the seasons. Here's how to adjust their intake:

Spring

• Feed high-magnesium mineral mix 1-2 months before spring grass growth
• Aim for 3-4 ounces per cow daily
• If they refuse, try a 1:1 ratio of trace mineral and magnesium oxide

Why? Spring's rapid grass growth can lead to magnesium deficiency and grass tetany.

Summer

• Increase phosphorus in supplements
• Watch for zinc and copper deficiency signs (poor coat, slow growth)

As grass matures, phosphorus drops and zinc/copper become less available.

Fall and Winter

• Boost vitamin A (stored forages lose it)
• Up the phosphorus
• Add vitamin D, especially up north

Stored forages can be low in certain minerals.

| Season | Focus On | | --- | --- | | Spring | Magnesium | | Summer | Phosphorus, Zinc, Copper | | Fall/Winter | Vitamin A, Phosphorus, Vitamin D |

Year-round

• Always offer trace-mineralized salt
• Tailor mix to your soil and forage
• Aim for 3-4 ounces of mineral mix daily per cow

"A good mineral and vitamin program costs $15 to $25 per head yearly - a small investment compared to overall production costs." - University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension

Keep mineral feeders accessible. In winter, clear snow so cattle can reach them.

Water is crucial for cattle health and production year-round. Here's how to manage water for your herd as seasons change:

Cattle need constant access to clean water. Their daily intake varies:

| Cattle Type | Weight | Daily Water (90°F) | | --- | --- | --- | | Growing | 400 lbs | 9.5 gallons | | Growing | 800 lbs | 17.4 gallons | | Lactating | 900 lbs | 18.2 gallons |

Weather impacts these needs:

• Summer: Needs can DOUBLE. A cow-calf pair might drink 25-30 gallons at 90°F.
• Winter: Needs drop, but don't vanish. A 1000 lb cow still needs about 6 gallons at 40°F.

Keep your herd hydrated:

1. Check troughs daily. Clean out gunk.
2. Test water quality yearly.
3. Adapt to seasons:
   • Summer: Keep water cool and shaded.
   • Winter: Use heaters or flowing systems to prevent freezing.
4. Space matters: 1 foot of trough per 16 cows.
5. Watch for red flags: Slow drinking or weight loss? Check your water.

"Water is one of the most important nutrients; animals can't live very long without it." - Terry Mader, Mader Consulting

Don't skimp on water. It's the cheapest way to boost your herd's health and productivity.

Handling seasonal diet changes for cattle isn't rocket science, but it does need some planning. Here's what you need to know:

• Feed smart: Change up the menu as your cattle's needs shift. A big cow in her last trimester? She'll need more food when it's freezing out.

• Think ahead: Don't wait until the snow flies to plan your winter feeding. Figure out how much hay you'll need based on your herd.

• Group 'em right: Put your skinny cows together and give them the good stuff.

• Test and top up: Know what's in your feed and add extras if needed. In winter, you might need to throw in some energy boosters.

• Watch the thermometer: When it gets really cold, bump up the food. More grain when the mercury drops.

• Keep an eye on them: Check how your cows look. Skinny cows take longer to get pregnant again.

• Don't forget the minerals: Keep a mineral mix out all year. In late winter and early spring, make sure there's plenty of magnesium.

• Water, water, water: Always have clean water available. Bigger cows and hotter weather mean more water needed.

Farmers change up their cattle's menu when it gets cold. Here's what's on the winter buffet:

1. Hay and silage: The main course. Fun fact: Over 2 million cows munch on winter wheat each year.

2. Energy boosters: Think corn or wheat screenings. Cows need extra calories to stay warm.

3. Protein power: Soybean meal or distiller grains to bulk up.

4. Winter minerals: A special mix to cover all the nutritional bases.

Karl Hoppe from NDSU Extension says:

"After a storm, get cattle on good food ASAP. But remember, their stomachs need time to adjust to the fancy stuff."

Quick tips:

• More food when it's colder
• Mix it up to avoid picky eaters
• Slow and steady when changing diets
• Keep the water flowing, not freezing