great plains veterinary educational center 1 vets working with beef cattle nutrition...

Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center 1

Vets Working With Beef CattleNutrition

[email protected]

http//gpvec.unl.edu


Health & Nutrition Go Hand-N-Hand

• Understand –What they eat–Water intake–Feed intake–Growth requirements–Production requirements


Grass / Forage• Vegetative stage

–All regrows• Reproductive stage

–No regrowth

• LEAVE HALF – Insures adequate CHO reserves– Improves root depth


Grass Types

Cool Season Warm Season


Forage Intake

• Grazing “Animal Unit” = 1,000 lbs.• Grazing Intake ~ 2.2 to 2.4% BW on DMB• 3 plant cell wall components …

–Cellulose, Lignin & Hemicellulose–NDF includes all 3 components–NDF can be used to estimate “fill”

• “Max” Intake adjustment = 120/NDF


Estimating Available Forage

• An acre is ~ 70 yards square • Available forage … lbs. / acre • Select useable forage in ½ meter SQ

– Length & Side of standard note book• Dry sample to 100% Dry Matter (DM)• 40 * grams DM ~ = lbs. / acre


What is the most important nutrient?

• WATER• How much water does a herbivore

need each day?• 10% to 12% of BW or ~12 gal / AU• Double in heat stress


BASIC Mature NUT Requirements

Water Requirement 10% to 12% of BW or ~ 12 gal / AU … Doubles in heat stress

Key Nutritional Concern

Example Nutrient

Base Level(Mature–Neutral)

Common Addition(Exp.: Lactation)

ProteinCrude Protein

(CP)8% to 12% 12% to 18%

EnergyTotal Net Energy

(TDN)45% to 55% 55% to 65%

Major MineralCalcium

(Ca)0.3% to 0.4% 0.4% to 0.6%

Major MineralPhosphorus

(P)0.2% to 0.3% 0.3% to 0.4%


Nutritional Diseases

• Polio (PEM)• AIP• Urinary Calculi• Water (Salt) Intox.

• Intake related• Overload• Laminitis• Ketosis


Nutrient Loss

• Environmental– Mud

4” = -14%– Cold

>0º F = 15%– Heat

Decrease intake

• Antagonistic Feeds– Negative disassociative

factor– Occurs when rat

feedstuffs require different bugs.


Nut Terms• DMB = Dry Matter Basis• ADB = Air Dry Basis

– (~90% DMB …used for additives)• AFB = As Fed Basis• Call (bunk call) =

amount of AF ration to be delivered (usually daily)– Sometimes to indicate remaining feed

• DMI = Dry Matter Intake• DOF = Days On Feed


Nut Terms• TDN = Total Digestible Nutrients

– An energy term not used by real feedyard nuts

• NEm = Net Energy for maintenance• NEg = Net Energy for gain

– ~ 45 % the NEm of roughage– ~ 65 % the NEm of grains

• DIP = Digestible Intake Protein• UIP = Undigestible Intake Protein


Energy Digestion

¯ Forage¯ Cellulose

¯ Cellulolytic Bugs (Slow dig rate)¯ pH 6.2 – 6.8

¯ Volatile Fatty Acids & Methane¯ Glucose

¯ Concentrate¯ Starch

¯ Amylolytic Bugs (fast dig rate)¯ pH 5.5 – 6.6

¯ Volatile Fatty Acids & Methane + Lactate¯ Glucose


Volatile Fatty Acid Production

• 1° Ruminant Energy Source … Big “3” … (APB)

Acetate, Propionate, Butyrate• Forage … 70:15:10• Concentrate … 50:35:15


NUTRIENT FUNCTIONVitamin A Eye health, reproduction, respiratory systemVitamin D Bone calcification, joint developmentVitamin E Reproduction, prevent muscle degenerationVitamin K Maintains normal blood clotting timeVitamin B-12 Corrects anemia symptomsVitamin C Reproductive performanceNiacin Carbohydrate utilizationPantothenic Acid Reproduction & coordinationRiboflavin Maintains eye tissues, hair & skinThiamine Maintains peak food consumptionCholine Liver & kidney functions & coordinationCalcium Bone growth & maintenance, blood clottingPhosphorus Bone growth & maintenance, reproduction Cobalt Vitamin B-12 synthesisMagnesium Mental Health, maintains jointsSulfur Bacterial synthesis of Vitamin A & Amino AcidsPotassium Feed efficiencyIodine FertilityZinc Reproduction, stress fighterManganese Soundness of limbsIron Hemoglobin formationCopper Cartilage, growth, hemoglobin formationSelenium Prevents muscular degeneration, reproductionSodium Regulates amount of body fluid

VITAMINS&

MINERASLS


Mineral Function … More Details• Calcium (CA) … is required for healthy bones, teeth,

transmission of nerve impulses & muscle contraction. • Ca blood levels are maintained relatively constant

through a fantastic physiologic process involving Ca phosphorus & vitamin D.

• Ca & phosphorus are stored in bone & mobilized into the blood & soft tissues (muscles & nerves) as needed.

• Ca requirement for non-growing adults such as non-lactating pregnant cows is 15 to 20 grams per day (g/d) & doubles early in lactation & for rapidly growing cattle.

• Little is known about the maximum tolerable level of Ca, but it is important to maintain a Ca to phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio of between 1.5:1 to 2.5 to 1.


Mineral Function … More Details• Phosphorus (P) … is also required for healthy

bones, teeth. It also functions in DNA formation & cellular energy metabolism.

• Phosphorus deficiency is frequently considered in grazing cattle.

• Symptoms include decreased animal performance, including reduced weight gains, poor reproductive efficiency, & low milk production.


Mineral Function … More Details• Magnesium (MG) … is critical for normal function of several

metabolic enzymes including glucose utilization & DNA formation.

• Grass tetany (frequent urination, erratic behavior, & convulsions) is the most common symptom producer’s associate with a magnesium deficiency.

• Magnesium levels decrease in association with the high water content of rapidly growing plants in the spring.

• Five to ten grams of magnesium per day is usually adequate, however there are some grazing circumstances that would require these recommended levels to be doubled.


Mineral Function … More Details• Cobalt (CO) … is required for vitamin B12 synthesis by

ruminal bacteria.• Since vitamin B12 synthesis occurs in the rumen, cobalt

must be consumed in the diet daily. • Cattle daily cobalt requirement is approximately one

milligram per day. • Cobalt is typically abundant in most feed stuffs therefore

additional supplementation is rarely required. • Deficiency symptoms for cobalt include loss of appetite,

followed by muscle wasting & anemia.


Mineral Function … More Details• Copper (CU) … deficiencies seem to be the most widely discuss yet

seldom observed mineral nutrition malady in the beef industry.• Cu deficiency symptoms include loss of hair color (reddish ting to

black hair is often described … although low copper levels in the diet is not the only cause of hair bleaching) & unthriftiness, anemia.

• One tenth gram (10 PPM) of Cu in the diet is adequate for beef cattle.• The molybdenum (MO), sulfur (S) & iron (FE) levels are as important as

the copper level in the diet. • Molybdenum intakes greater than 1/20 gram (5 PPM), sulfur intakes

greater than 40 grams (0.4%) &/or iron intakes 10 grams (1000 PPM) will tie up dietary Cu & necessitate increasing Cu supplementation.

• BUT … Cu toxicity (symptoms include acute breakdown of red blood cells) in beef cattle does occur especially in heavy muscle breeds of cattle. It can occur with as little as 115 ppm copper in the diet.

• Because Cu, molybdenum & iron are stored in the liver symptoms of deficiency or toxicity occur only after long term dietary insult.


Mineral Function … More Details• Selenium (SE) … it seems much of the U.S. has soils that are either talked about as

deficient or excessive … Maybe not so.• Daily SE requirement is approximately one milligram / day (0.10 PPM). • SE status in cattle is difficult to evaluate. • The old thumb rule about SE deficiencies being associated with acid or sandy soils

can be misleading. • Soils or forage analysis is a more reliable & less expensive for predicting cattle status

than blood or hair samples. • Check with your area soils & forage testing laboratory for their opinion about the local

SE levels. • SE & Vit. E utilization in the body is metabolically related. • Low levels of SE can be off set with Vit. E supplementation.• Conversely low levels of Vit. E can be off set with SE supplementation. • White muscle disease in young calves is the most common problem associated with a

SE / Vit. E deficiency. • Retained placentas are commonly associated with SE / Vits. E deficiency BUT there

are many other causes not related to minerals. • SE toxicity causes blindness & ataxia (blind-stagers). • It is also known as alkali disease & is mainly seen in western states.


Mineral Function … More Details• Zinc (ZN) … is required in the formation of enzymes needed

for proper protein & carbohydrate metabolism, & in proper immune function.

• Excessive calcium levels can interfere with zinc uptake & utilization.

• Dietary requirement for zinc is approximately 1/3 gram (30 PPM) per day.

• Deficiency symptoms include hair loss, dermatitis, scabby legs, slow wound healing, excessive salivation & unthriftiness.

• Because zinc is abundant in most feedstuffs a deficiency is unlikely.

• However supplementation could be considered in cattle on silage rations & if the calcium level in the diet is high.


Focus On Important Issues … But the Sky Probably Not Falling

• In the Cow – Calf herd, reproduction is the most important production management issue.

• While breeding soundness in not all nutrition, the body condition score (BCS), which is related to nutrition, plays a massive role in the fertility of cows, but BCS has virtually nothing to do with mineral nutrition.

• BCS is simply related to ration energy intake.• Minerals have been associated with reproductive function

such as open cows; cystic ovaries; retained placentas; misshapen ovaries; poor fertilization of eggs; erratic, weak, silent or no heat cycles, delayed conceptions, abortions, & poor quality semen.


Mineral Interactions


Mineral Availability … • Sulfate forms are “Indexed as 100% Bioavailability”• Chelates are + 100% index bioavailability• Oxides have the lowest bioavailability• Differences are important but frequently over sold. • All mineral forms, other than Cu & Fe can be used

by adjusting the amount add in the supplement. • Cattle are rarely deficient in Fe & excessive

amounts adversely affect the immune system. • In fact, excessive amounts of any mineral should be

considered immune suppressive.


Feed Additives … (all added on “air dry basis” ADB & No ELDU)

• MGA estrus control– ADG + 10 % – FE – 5 to 6 % – +/- Carcass Quality

• Rumensin intake control– ADG +/- 0 % – FE – 7 to 10 % (roughage)– +/- Carcass Quality

• Bovatec – ADG +6 to 7 %– FE – 7 to 10 %

• CTC & Aureo-S-700 - sickness– ADG +20 %, FE – 15 % – … all short term (28 days)– Decrease sickness 10 to 35– Can feed 10mg/lb/d – 5 days

• WD = 10 days• Tylan / OTC - Liver abscess

– A+ livers: • ADG - 3 to 5 %, • FE - 7 %


AMDUCA’ Scope

• ELDU permitted only when animal’s health is threatened or animal is suffering … Therapeutic only.

• ELDU is not allowed for production – Implants … reproductive … etc.

• ELDU is not allowed for feed additives


Acidosis

• Biochemical & physiological stresses caused by rapid & excessive production & absorption of organic acids & endotoxins when an animal over consumes a meal of readily fermentable carbohydrates, usually grains.

• The severity of the acidosis insult determines the symptoms observed … subacute (ph <5.6) to acute (ph <5.0)


Acidosis Factors

• Grain Source & Processing– Rate & extent of ruminal digestion

• Roughage Source & Processing• Additives (ionophore, buffer, etc)• Rat Step Up Management• Sudden Intake Change• Environmental Change


Grain & Processing Ranked by Ruminal Starch Digestion

Fast– Wheat– Barley– High Moisture Corn (ground)– Steam Flaked Corn & High Moisture Corn (whole)– Dry Rolled Corn – Steam Flaked Grain Sorghum– Dry Whole Corn– Dry Rolled Grain Sorghum

Slow


Typical pH – Feed Response

3.5

4

4.5

5

5.5

6

6.5

8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 2 4 6 8

Time

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Feed

pH


Acidosis Symptoms• Acute

–Visible–Diet Transition

• Intake Regulation– Forage = fill– Grain = chem

mech

–SDS, PEM, Liv Abs–Wall damage

• Reduce absorb• Reduce gain & FE

–Founder (previous >45)

• Subacute–Difficult to observe–Reduced intake

• Pen conditions • Individual reduction

masked by pen average• Erratic feed intake

patterns

– Intake pH


Subclinical Acidosis

3.5

4

4.5

5

5.5

6

6.5

7

8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 2 4 6 8

Time

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Feed

pH


Acidosis Control

• pH intake• All cattle affected• Bunk consistency• Multiple deliveries• Proper processing• Roughage (3-10%)• Grain adaptation (14-

28D)

• Don’t change two things at once

• Bunk mgnt flex• Ionophore• Monitor records• Consistency• Habit


Water … • The most important nutrient … right?

– Know what other nutrients are in the water … SO4

• Requirement … 8 to 10 % BW– 1000 critter needs + 10 gallons a day– UNLESS … its hot – Heat (>82º F) … double water need– Hide color affects water needs in the heat

• RESERVE CAPACITY IS EVERYTHING– Days water needs in 2 hrs when it is hot– Measure when system is stressed (2 hrs post feeding)


The Ear Is A Busy Place


Buller Syndrome … an enigma

• *PHYTOESTROGEN (Plant ESTROGEN)– Also molds … including bunk molds

• Not associated with DOF• Weather (Hot & Dry) … yes, but• Bunk Management … yes, but• Association with Implants “burst”

– Peak release following implanting– Implant location (middle 1/3) … maybe– Crushed pellets … I doubt it.


Sick signs

•Depression•Appetite / Fill: shape & texture

–Loose feces•Respiration / Cough / Rate•Rectal Temperature ???

• Don’t let a thermometer do your thinking’


How Sick Cattle Eat• Pull any new calf that

is slow to come to the bunkLook for sick cattle shortly after putting out feed.


Sick: Intake vs. Temp

Intake & Temp Response To IBR ChallengeAdapted from Hutchenson, Cole & Mock 1985

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

-7 -5 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Intake

Temp


Feeding Sick Calves

• Get a good nutritionist• High quality feedstuffs• Formulate for low intakes• Bunk management

– Intake is everything


Rat Balancing … Pearson Square

Nutrient(Protein)

38 Tot Parts

Ingred 1Anal (SBM)

48 % Protein

4 parts SBM

10.5%

Desired Analysis

14 % Protein

Ingred 2Anal (Corn)

10 % Protein

34 partsCorn

89.5%


Problem … Sick Weaned Feeder

• 600 lb … Intake ~ 1.1 % BW (DMB)… intake = 6.6 lbs DM

• Protein Requirement = 1.9 lbs CP• Receiving Ration = 13.2% CP

… 600 x 2.5% BW = 15 lb x 13.2% = 2 lb CP• Soy Bean Meal (SBM) = 48%• How much SBM must be added to meet the sick

calf’s requirements?


Answer … Sick Weaned Feeder

• Intake 6.6 lbs (DM) … Needs 1.9 lb CP• 1.9 / 6.6 = 28.8 % CP• R-Rat = 13.2 CP – 28.8 = 15.6 parts SBM• SBM = 48.0 CP – 28.8 = 19.2 parts R-Rat• Total … 34.8 parts• R-Rat = 55.2 % , SBM = 44.8 %


Implants … & humans

• Lets look at sources of estrogens …


Implants


Implants & Growth


Implant Strategies• Start LOW => Finish HIGH

–Attempt to have implant run out as feeder walks into packing plant

– “Stacking” is not good … (What is “stacking”?

• Re-implant during “Pay-Out Window”• Must be eating …

– implants require fuel• Effects on tenderness …

– YES (says CSU Research)• Effects on Reproduction … YES !!!


Buller Syndrome … an enigma• *PHYTOESTROGEN (Plant ESTROGEN)

– Also molds … including bunk molds • Not associated with DOF• Weather (Hot & Dry) … yes, but• Bunk Management … yes, but• Association with Implants “burst”

– Peak release following implanting– Implant location (middle 1/3) … maybe– Crushed pellets … I doubt it.

great plains veterinary educational center 1 vets working with beef cattle nutrition...

Documents

feed slide

ndf slide

heat stress slide

water water

grazing intake

root depth slide

dry matter intake dof

max intake adjustment