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PubID: ANR-0060 		Title: NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS OF BEEF CATTLE Pages: 8     Balance: 1101
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ANR-0060 Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle

Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle

nformation and recommendations in this publication are based on the 7th and most recent edition of Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle. The 7th edition is a significant revision of the 6th edition. For growing cattle the requirements are given based on their anticipated mature weight rather than on a medium or large frame. For bred heifers and brood cows the requirements are presented relative to months since calving and are based on a 12-month calving interval.

Tables 1 through 3 show the requirements of growing and finishing steers and heifers. Each table is based on the final anticipated weight of the animal. For example, if it is a steer it would be the anticipated slaughter weight and for a replacement heifer it would be her predicted weight at maturity with a body condition score of 5. This method of listing requirements is different from the method used in the previous publication, which listed requirements based on frame size (e.g., medium or large). Notice that within a class (i.e., final weight of 1,000 pounds) energy or TDN requirements are a function of growth rate and not of current body weight.

Tables 4 through 6 show the requirements of mature brood cows. These requirements are based on months since calving. This offers much more information than the previous NRNRC publication offered. All three of these tables assume that the calf will be weaned at 7 months of age, thus the sharp drop in nutrient requirements at this point. If the calves are weaned at a later date, the requirements will remain elevated through this time. Also within each weight group of cows described, the requirements are based on the size of calf that they wean. These weights are for a 7-month-old, male calf. Therefore, if 205-day weights are available it becomes quite easy to determine the nutrient requirements for a particular herd at any month of the year. For these tables to be meaningful, it is important to have a good estimate of daily intake by the cows. Some hay may contain fiber (NDF) contents great enough to limit daily consumption below the amount listed in the table. If this is the case, nutrient requirements as percentages will need to be adjusted. Another important factor for effective use of these tables is current body condition of the cows. Mature cows should be a condition score 5 at calving to ensure acceptable rebreeding rates. If they are not, additional energy will be needed during late gestation to increase the condition score of the cows. Appendix Table A gives the amount of additional TDN needed per day to change the condition score in a 60-day period.

Table 7 is a summary of requirements of pregnant replacement heifers. Similar to the previous tables these are relative to time of calving. The requirements in this table have included the nutrients needed for continual growth by the heifers. It is assumed that the heifers are gaining at a rate of .73, .88, and 1.02 pounds per day for the 1,000-, 1,200-, and 1,400-pound heifers, respectively.

Appendix Table B lists the mineral requirements for the various classes of cattle and also provides the maximum tolerable amount.

Table 1. Diet Nutrient Densities for Growing Cattle. Anticipated Finishing Weight (Feedlot Steers or Heifers) or Mature Weight (Replacement Heifers) of 1,000 Pounds.
Body Weight (lb.) ADG (lb.) DMI (lb./d) TDN (%) CP (%) Ca (%) P (%)
 300 1.0 9.9 53.7  9.4 .39  .21
  1.5 10.2 58.2 11.3 .52 .27
  2.0 10.2 63.0 13.3 .65 .33
  2.5 10.1 68.4 15.6 .79 .40
  3.0 9.8 74.9 18.1 .95 .47
 
 350 1.0 11.1  53.7  8.9  .35 .19 
  1.5 11.4  58.2 10.6 .46  .24 
  2.0 11.5 63.0  12.4 .57 .30
  2.5 11.3 68.4  14.3  .69  .35 
  3.0  11.0  74.9  16.6  .83  .42
 
 400 1.0  12.3  53.7  8.5  .32  .18 
  1.5  12.6 58.2  10.0  .41 .22 
  2.0  12.7  63.0  11.6  .51  .27 
  2.5  12.5  68.4  13.4  .62  .32 
  3.0  12.2  74.9  15.4  .74  .37 
 
 450 1.0  13.5  53.7  8.2  .30  .17 
  1.5  13.8  58.2  9.5  .38  .21 
  2.0  13.8  63.0  11.0  .46  .25 
  2.5  13.7  68.4  12.6  .56  .29 
  3.0  13.3  74.9  14.5  .68  .34 
 
 500 1.0  14.6  53.7  7.9  .27  .16 
  1.5  14.9  58.2  9.2  .35  .19 
  2.0  15.0  63.0  10.5  .42  .23 
  2.5  14.8  68.4  12.0  .50  .27 
  3.0  14.4  74.9  13.7  .60  .31 
 
 550 1.0  15.6  53.7  7.7  .26  .15 
  1.5  16.0  58.2  8.9  .33  .18 
  2.0  16.1  63.0  10.1  .39  .21 
  2.5  15.9  68.4  11.4  .46  .25 
  3.0  15.5  74.9  13.0  .54  .29 
 
 600 1.0  16.7  53.7  7.6  .25  .15 
  1.5  17.1  58.2  8.6  .31  .17 
  2.0  17.2  63.0  9.7  .36  .20 
  2.5  17.0  68.4  11.0  .43  .23 
  3.0  16.5  74.9  12.5  .50  .27 
 
 650 1.0  17.7  53.7  7.4  .24  .14 
  1.5  18.1  58.2  8.4  .29  .17 
  2.0  18.2  63.0  9.4  .34  .19 
  2.5  18.0  68.4  10.6  .40  .22 
  3.0  17.5  74.9  12.0  .46  .25 

 

Table 2. Diet Nutrient Densities for Growing Cattle. Anticipated Finishing Weight (Feedlot Steers or Heifers) or Mature Weight (Replacement Heifers) of 1,200 Pounds.
Body Weight (lb.) ADG (lb.) DMI (lb./d) TDN (%) CP (%) Ca (%) P (%)
 300 1.0  9.8  52.7  9.5  .40  .22 
  1.5  10.1  56.6  11.4  .54  .28 
  2.0  10.2  60.7  13.4  .67  .34 
  2.5  10.2  65.1  15.5  .82  .41 
  3.0  10.0  70.2  17.9  .97  .48 
 
 350 1.0  11.0  52.7  9.0  .36  .20 
  1.5  11.3  56.6  10.6  .50  .25 
  2.0  11.4  60.7  12.4  .60  .31 
  2.5  11.4  65.1  14.3  .72  .36 
  3.0  11.2  70.2  16.4  .85  .42 
 
 400 1.0  12.2  52.7  8.6  .33  .18 
  1.5  12.5  56.6  10.1  .43  .23 
  2.0  12.7  60.7  11.6  .54  .28 
  2.5  12.6  65.1  13.3  .64  .33 
  3.0  12.4  70.2  15.2  .76  .38 
 
 450 1.0  13.3  52.7  8.3  .31  .18 
  1.5  13.7  56.6  9.6  .40  .22 
  2.0  13.8  60.7  11.0  .49  .26 
  2.5  13.8  65.1  12.5  .58  .30 
  3.0  13.6  70.2  14.2  .68  .35 
 
 500 1.0  14.4  52.7  8.0  .29  .17 
  1.5  14.8  56.6  9.2  .37  .20 
  2.0  15.0  60.7  10.5  .45  .24 
  2.5  14.9  65.1  11.9  .53  .28 
  3.0  14.7  70.2  13.5  .62  .32 
 
 550 1.0  15.5  52.7  7.8  .28  .16 
  1.5  15.9  56.6  8.9  .36  .19 
  2.0  16.1  60.7  10.1  .42  .22 
  2.5  16.0  65.1  11.4  .49  .26 
  3.0  15.8  70.2  12.8  .57  .30 
 
 600 1.0  16.6  52.7  7.6  .26  .16 
  1.5  17.0  56.6  8.7  .32  .18 
  2.0  17.2  60.7  9.8  .39  .21 
  2.5  17.1  65.1  11.0  .45  .24 
  3.0  16.9  70.2  12.3  .53  .28 
 
 650 1.0  17.6  52.7  7.5  .25  .15 
  1.5  18.0  56.6  8.4  .31  .18 
  2.0  18.2  60.7  9.5  .36  .20 
  2.5  18.2  65.1  10.6  .42  .23 
  3.0  17.9  70.2  11.8  .49  .26 

 

Table 3. Diet Nutrient Densities for Growing Cattle. Anticipated Finishing Weight (Feedlot Steers or Heifers) or Mature Weight (Replacement Heifers) of 1,400 Pounds.
Body Weight (lb.) ADG (lb.) DMI (lb./d) TDN (%) CP (%) Ca (%) P (%)
 300 1.0 9.8  51.9  9.6  .41  .22 
  1.5 10.0  55.4  11.5  .55  .28 
  2.0 10.2  59.0  13.5  .69  .35 
  2.5 10.2  62.8  15.5  .84  .42 
  3.0 10.1  67.1  17.8  .99  .49 
 
 350 1.0 11.0  51.9  9.0  .37  .20 
  1.5 11.3  55.4  10.7  .50  .26 
  2.0 11.4  59.0  12.5  .62  .32 
  2.5 11.4  62.8  14.3  .74  .37 
  3.0 11.4  67.1  16.3  .87  .43 
 
 400 1.0 12.1  51.9  8.6  .34  .19 
  1.5 12.5  55.4  10.2  .45  .24 
  2.0 12.6  59.0  11.7  .56  .29 
  2.5 12.7  62.8  13.3  .66  .34 
  3.0 12.6  67.1  15.1  .78  .39 
 
 450 1.0 13.2  51.9  8.3  .32  .18
  1.5 13.6  55.4  9.7  .41  .20 
  2.0 13.8  59.0  11.1  .51  .27 
  2.5 13.8  62.8  12.6  .60  .31 
  3.0 13.7  67.1  14.2  .70  .36 
 
 500 1.0 14.3  51.9  8.1  .30  .17 
  1.5  14.7  55.4  9.3  .38  .21 
  2.0  14.9  59.0  10.6  .47  .25 
  2.5  15.0  62.8  11.9  .55  .29 
  3.0  14.9  67.1  13.4  .64  .33 
 
 550 1.0  15.4  51.9  7.8  .29  .17 
  1.5  15.8  55.4  9.0  .36  .20 
  2.0  16.0  59.0  10.2  .44  .23 
  2.5  16.1  62.8  11.4  .51  .27 
  3.0  16.0  67.1  12.8  .59  .31 
 
 600 1.0  16.4  51.9  7.7  .27  .16 
  1.5  16.9  55.4  8.7  .34  .19 
  2.0  17.1  59.0  9.8  .41  .22 
  2.5  17.2  62.8  11.0  .48  .25 
  3.0  17.0  67.1  12.2  .55  .29 
 
 650 1.0  17.4  51.9  7.5  .26  .16 
  1.5  17.9  55.4  8.5  .32  .18 
  2.0  18.2  59.0  9.5  .38  .21 
  2.5  18.2  62.8  10.6  .45  .24 
  3.0  18.1  67.1  11.8  .51  .27 

 

Table 4. Daily Dry Matter Intake and Diet Nutrient Densities for Beef Cows-­Mature Weight = 1,000 Pounds
 

 Months Since Calving
 1  2  3  4  5 6  7  8   9 10  11  12 
1,000-pound cow weaning
7-month-old male weighing
456 pounds
DM, lb./day  21.6 22.1  23.0  22.5   22.1 21.7  21.1  21.0  20.9  20.8  21.0  21.4 
TDN, % 55.8  56.6  54.3  53.4  52.5  51.8  44.9  45.7  47.0  49.1  52.0  55.7 
CP, % 8.7  9.1  8.4  8.0  7.5  7.1  6.0  6.2  6.5  7.0  7.7  8.7 
Ca, % .24  .25  .23  .22  .20  .19  .15  .15  .15  .24  .24  .24 
P, % .17  .17  .16  .15  .14  .14  .11  .11  .11  .15  .15  .15 
1,000-pound cow weaning
497-pound calf
DM, lb./day  24.0 25.0  25.4 24.4  23.5  22.7  21.1  21.0  20.9  20.8  21.0  21.4 
TDN, % 59.6  60.9  58.6  57.0  55.4  54.0  44.9  45.7  47.0  49.1  52.0  55.7 
CP, % 10.5  11.2  10.4  9.6  8.9  8.2  6.0  6.2  6.5  7.0  7.7  8.7 
Ca, % .30  .32  .30  .27  .24  .22  .15  .15  .15  .24  .24  .24 
P, % .20  .21  .19  .18  .17  .15  .11  .11  .11  .15  .15  .15 
1,000-pound cow weaning
535-pound calf
DM, lb./day 26.4  27.8  27.8  26.4  24.9  23.7  21.1  21.0  20.9  20.8  21.0  21.4 
TDN, % 62.8  64.5  62.1  60.1  57.9  55.9  44.9  45.7  47.0  49.1  52.0  55.7 
CP, % 12.1  12.9  12.0  11.1  10.0  9.1  6.0  6.2  6.5  7.0  7.7  8.7 
Ca, %  .35 .38  .35  .32  .28  .25  .15  .15  .15  .24  .24  .24 
P, % .22  .24  .22  .21  .19   .17 .11  .11   .11 .15   .15 .15 

 

Table 5. Daily Dry Matter Intake and Diet Nutrient Densities for Beef Cows-­Mature Weight = 1,200 Pounds
 

 Months Since Calving
 1  2  3  4  5 6  7  8   9 10  11  12 
1,200-pound cow weaning
7-month-old male weighing
496 pounds
 DM, lb./day 24.4  24.9  26.0  25.6  25.1  24.8  24.2  24.1  24.0  23.9  24.1  24.6 
 TDN, % 55.3 56.0  53.7  52.9  52.1  51.5  44.9  45.8  47.1  49.3  52.3  56.2 
 CP, % 8.4 8.8  8.1  7.7  7.3  7.0  6.0  6.2  6.5  7.0  7.7  8.8 
 Ca, % .24 .25  .23  .21  .20  .19  .15  .15  .15  .26  .25  .25 
 P, % .17  .17  .16  .15  .14  .14  .12  .12  .12  .16  .16  .16 
1,200-pound cow weaning
558-pound calf
 DM, lb./day 26.8  27.8  28.4  27.4  26.5  25.7  24.2  24.1  24.0  23.9  24.1 24.6 
 TDN, % 58.7  59.9  57.6  56.2  54.7  53.4  44.9  45.8  47.1  49.3  52.3 56.2 
 CP, % 10.1  10.7  9.9  9.2  8.5  7.9  6.0  6.2  6.5  7.0  7.7 8.8 
 Ca, % .29  .31  .29  .26  .24  .22  .15  .15  .15  .26  .25 .25 
 P, % .19  .21  .19  .18  .17  .15  .12  .12  .12  .16  .16 .16 
1,200-pound cow weaning
598-pound calf
 DM, lb./day 29.2  30.6  30.8  29.4  27.9  26.7  24.2  24.1  24.0  23.9  24.1  24.6 
 TDN, % 61.6  63.2  60.8  59.0  57.0  55.2  44.9  45.8  47.1  49.3  52.3  56.2 
 CP, % 11.5  12.2  11.4  10.6  9.6  8.8  6.0  6.2  6.5  7.0  7.7  8.8 
 Ca, % .34  .36  .34  .31  .27  .25  .15  .15  .15  .26  .25  .25 
 P, % .22  .23  .22  .20  .18  .17  .12  .12  .12  .16  .16  .16 

 

Table 6. Daily Dry Matter Intake and Diet Nutrient Densities for Beef Cows­-Mature Weight = 1,400 Pounds
 

 Months Since Calving
 1  2  3  4  5 6  7  8   9 10  11  12 
1,400-pound cow weaning
7-month-old male weighing
535 pounds
 DM, lb./day 27.1  27.6  28.9  28.5  28.0  27.7  27.2  27.0  26.9  26.8  27.0  27.6 
 TDN, % 54.9  55.5  53.3  52.5  51.8  51.2  45.0  45.8  47.3  49.5  52.6  56.6 
 CP, % 8.2  8.6  7.9  7.6  7.2  6.9  6.0  6.2  6.5  7.0  7.8  8.9 
 Ca, % .23  .25  .23  .21  .20  .19  .16  .16  .16  .27  .26  .26 
 P, % .17  .17  .16  .15  .15  .14   .12 .12  .12  .17  .17  .17 
1,400-pound cow weaning
612-pound calf
 DM, lb./day 29.5   30.5 31.3  30.3  29.4  28.6  27.2  27.0   26.9 26.8  27.0  27.6 
 TDN, %  58.0 59.1  56.8  55.5  54.1  53.0  45.0  45.8  47.3  49.5  52.6  56.6 
 CP, % 9.8 10.3  9.6   8.9 8.3  7.7  6.0  6.2  6.5  7.0  7.8   8.9
 Ca, % .28  .30  .28  .26  .24  .22  .16  .16  .16  .27  .26  .26 
 P, % .19  .20  .19  .18  .17  .16  .12  .12  .12  .17  .17  .17 
1,400-pound cow weaning
656-pound calf
 DM, lb./day 31.9  33.3  33.7  32.3  30.8  29.6  27.2  27.0  26.9  26.8  27.0  27.6 
 TDN, % 60.7  62.2  59.8  58.1  56.2  54.7  45.0  45.8  47.3  49.5  52.6  56.6 
 CP, %  11.1 11.8  11.0  10.2  9.3  8.5  6.0  6.2  6.5  7.0  7.8  8.9 
 Ca, %  .33  .35  .32 .30  .27  .24 .16  .16  .16  .27  .26  .26 
 P, %  .22  .23 .21  20  .18  .17  .12  .12  .12  .17  .17  .17

 

Table 7. Daily Dry Matter Intake and Diet Nutrient Densities for Pregnant Replacement Heifers
 

 Months Since Conception
 1  2  3  4  5 6  7  8   9
1,000-pound mature weight
 DM, lb./day  16.7 17.2  17.7  18.2  18.7  19.4  20.0  20.7  21.3 
 TDN, % 50.1  50.2  50.4  50.7  51.3  52.3  54.0  56.8  61.3 
 CP, % 7.2  7.2  7.2  7.2  7.3  7.6  8.0  8.7  10.0 
 Ca, % .22  .22  .22  .21  .21  .20  .32  .31  .31 
 P, % .17  .17  .17  .17  .17  .16  .23  .23  .22 
1,200-pound mature weight
 DM, lb./day 19.3  19.8 20.3  20.9  21.5  22.2  23.0  23.7  24.4 
 TDN, % 50.5  50.5 50.7  50.9  51.4  52.3  53.8  56.2  59.9 
 CP, % 7.2  7.2 7.2  7.2  7.3  7.5  7.9  8.5  9.6 
 Ca, % .23  .23 .22  .22  .22  .21  .31  .31  .30 
 P, % .18  .18 .18  .17  .17  .17  .23  .22  .22 
1,400-pound mature weight
 DM, lb./day  21.7 22.3 22.9 23.5 24.2 24.9 25.8 26.6 27.4
 TDN, % 50.7 50.8 50.9 51.2 51.6 52.4 53.7 55.8 59.0
 CP, % 7.2 7.2 7.2 7.2 7.3 7.5 7.8 8.4 9.3
 Ca, % .24 .24 .23 .23 .22 .22 .31 .31 .30
 P, % .18 .18 .18 .18 .18 .18 .23 .22 .22

 

Appendix Table A. Pounds of Additional TDN Required Per Day for 60 Days to Increase Cow Body Condition Score by 1 Unita
 

Cow Weight at BCS of 5 
BCS 1,000  1,200  1,400 
2  1.75  2.02  2.25 
3  1.91  2.20  2.43 
4  2.13  2.40  2.63 
5   2.33  2.60  2.83 
6  2.56  2.83  3.06 
aWhen determining the amount of TDN required to increase body condition score, use the number associated with the higher value. For example, increasing a 1,200-pound cow from a 4 to a 5 requires 2.60 additional pounds of TDN.

 

Appendix Table B. Mineral Requirements and Maximum Tolerable Amounts
 Mineral Growing/Finishing
Calves		 Gestating Cow   Lactating Cow Maximum Tolerable
 Chromium, mg/kg — — — 1,000 
 Cobalt, mg/kg .10  .10  .10  .10 
 Copper, mg/kg 10  10  10  100 
 Iodine, mg/kg .50  .50  .50  .50 
 Iron, mg/kg 50  50  50  1,000 
 Magnesium, % .10  .12  .20  .40 
 Manganese, mg/kg 20  40  40  1,000 
 Molybdenum, mg/kg — — — 5 
 Nickel, mg/kg — — — 50 
 Potassium, % .60  .60  .70  3 
 Selenium, mg/kg .10  .10  .10  2 
 Sodium, % .06-.08  .06-.08  .10  —
 Sulfur, % .15  .15  .15  .40 
 Zinc, mg/kg 30  30  30  500 

Darrell L. Rankins Jr., Extension Animal Scientist, Professor, Animal and Dairy Sciences, Auburn University.

For more information, contact your county Extension office. Visit http://www.aces.edu/counties or look in your telephone directory under your county's name to find contact information.

Published by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University), an equal opportunity educator and employer.

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