Basic requirements

ANGUSJournal n August 2008 M the basic nutrient requirements of beef cows is a key component of meeting cow herd production and profitability goals for the beef cattle enterprise. Adequate nutrition is vital for adequate cow reproduction, cow and calf health, and growth of all classes of cattle. Nutrient requirements of cattle change throughout the year based upon stage of the production cycle, age, sex, breed, level of activity, pest load and environment. All of these factors have an additive effect on the nutrient requirements of cattle. In all cases, specific adjustments to the standard nutrient requirements may be warranted. Therefore, it is imperative that cattle producers have an adequate understanding of the basic nutrient requirements of the cow herd to make informed and effective nutrition-related decisions. In most production situations, the basis for cow herd nutrient supply is grazed or harvested forage. With the use of forage comes the need for seasonal supplementation strategies to compensate for forage quality deficiencies. Without Basic Requirements