Having your cattle ready for spring breeding
One of the major issues many face upon the arrival of spring is maintaining adequate nutrition levels in cattle. Early spring grasses are often too low in nutrients to support cattle health and best prepare them for the upcoming breeding season. Here are important factors to consider and pay closer attention to.
Grass Quality and Grazing Management
Poor nutrition in early spring largely stems from grass availability. As warm-season grasses have yet to grow, cattle turn to low-quality winter grasses for consumption. If possible, wait until the fescue canopy reaches ten inches before fully transitioning cattle to pasture. Gradually shifting from a dry diet to fresh forage, while continuing to provide hay, helps maintain overall health during this seasonal transition.
Additionally, small amounts of winter annual grasses may begin to sprout up in native pastures. These high-moisture, low-energy grasses are often the first green forage cows encounter after winter. If overconsumed, they can lead to body condition loss or early lactation just before breeding season. Continuing to provide hay or other nutritional supplements can help mitigate these effects.
Body Condition and Supplementation
With this, paying closer attention to the body of your herd is vital. If cattle were maintained on low- or moderate-quality hay without proper supplementation over winter, they may have lost condition. A low body condition score (BCS) at calving extends the post-partum interval, delaying rebreeding and leading to longer calving seasons. Research from Oklahoma State University’s Agricultural Experiment Station highlights that body condition at calving is the most significant factor in rebreeding success.
Ideally, cows should maintain their condition during mid-to-late pregnancy and gain weight during breeding. Maximizing forage use is crucial, but supplementation might still be necessary. Extension services usually recommend producers continue feeding a source of energy, such as moderate-to-good quality grass hay free choice or high-energy cubes until warm-season grasses grow enough to provide both the energy and protein lactating cows need.
Planning for the Future
Reflecting on past breeding seasons, though a more conceptual course of action, can help to better determine and implement nutrition strategies. Recording feeding and body condition trends can best determine nutrition tactics going forward, ensuring stronger breeding success now and in the future.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the upcoming breeding season or maintaining cattle nutrition levels, contact your local extension office.
