Extension Report

Baldwin County Extension Office

302A Byrne Street

Bay Minette, AL  36507

Telephone (251) 937-7176 or

928-0860/943-5061 ext. 2222

FAX (251) 937-7285

Anthony Wiggins

Regional Extension Agent

Animal Science & Forages

March 8, 2011

Nutrient Deficiencies in Lactating Cattle

With the warmer days we’ve had the last few weeks and spring just around the corner, the lush green growth of the winter annuals is a welcome site to cattle producers.  While these green grasses will meet the protein and energy needs for the cow herd, lactating cows can still run into problems associated with nutrient deficiencies.

Most cattlemen understand that a lactating cow will have a higher nutritional need due to producing milk for her calf, but she must also take in enough additional nutrients in order to be healthy enough to rebreed in a timely manner after the birth of her calf.  Lactation can deplete the protein and mineral reserves in a cow which can prevent cows from coming into estrous as they should.  First-calf heifers can be even more challenging because not only do they need to take in enough nutrients to provide milk and resume estrous cycles, but they must eat enough to continue growth and development.  When cattle are not receiving adequate nutrition, lactation and growth will take precedence over the estrus cycle thus increasing calving intervals.  Having cows in good body condition at calving and maintaining a high level of nutrition that includes a good mineral program during the lactation stage will improve chances of getting cattle rebred in a timely manner.

Another problem that lactating cattle may face, especially when grazing on winter annuals, is grass tetany.  Grass tetany, also known as hypomagnesemia, is actually a magnesium (Mg) deficiency that can cause death in nursing brood cows.  Typically this occurs during wet weather when soils become saturated depleting oxygen from the soil which prevents the plant from taking up Mg.  As the cow eats the Mg deficient forages, the Mg levels in her blood drops and the problem is further compounded by the fact that her reserves are depleted due to producing milk.  The problem can be prevented by the supplemental feeding of Mg anytime the cow will be grazing high quality cool season grasses in the spring.  Typically, this is done by feeding a Hi-Mag trace mineralized salt or a commercial supplement that contains Mg.  Also, due to their high Mg content, the addition of legumes, such as clovers, to winter grass pastures can help prevent this problem.

The key point for cattlemen to remember is, just because winter may be over and the grass is green, doesn’t mean it’s time to relax.  Keeping cows in good body condition along with a complete mineral and health program can prevent costly disasters and save you money in the long run.

Upcoming Programs

Food Production 101 Workshop

There will be a Food Production 101 Workshop on March 19th from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The workshop will be held at the Gulf Coast Regional Research and Extension Center on 8300 AL Highway 104 in Fairhope.  The topics covered will be: Fruits, Vegetables, Backyard Chickens, Raising Freezer Beef, Working with Meat Processors, and Food Processing/Preservation/Storage. The registration fee is $25 per person and can be mailed to ACES, 302A Byrne Street, Bay Minette, AL  36507. The deadline for registration is March 14th. Lunch will be provided. A minimum of twenty will be required to have this workshop. For more information, call the Baldwin County Extension Office at 937-7176.

Recreational Pond Workshop

There will be a Recreational Pond Workshop on April 16 at 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center on 30945 5 Rivers Blvd. in Spanish Fort. This is a free workshop and will be held from 1:00-3:00 p.m.  To register, contact the 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center at 625-0814.

Email address: wiggia1@aces.edu

Phone number: 937-7176 or 943-5061, 928-0860, ext. 2222

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity educator and employer.