BioZyme® Inc. Archives - American Cattlemen

A Guide to Show Cattle Nutrition

Article and photos courtesy of BioZyme^® Inc.

(SAINT JOSEPH, Mo., June 26, 2024) Show cattle nutrition is a lot more complex than taking a feed scoop and filling a feed pan. You want to make sure your show cattle have the balanced nutrition they need. A balanced show cattle ration includes protein, energy, fat, vitamins and minerals, fiber and supplements. Additionally, you will want to be sure they have ample fresh, clean water.

At Sure Champ^®, we know that champions are made at home. That is why we created this guide specifically for show cattle nutrition. Our families are like yours; we want the best for our show calves from the time we bring them home until their final show.

How To Ensure Show Cattle Nutrition

Here are 7 simple steps to follow as you prep to win.

1. Make Sure Your Calf is Healthy

We know that health and nutrition go hand in hand. As your show season progresses with your calf, be sure to keep current on all vaccinations and keep your calf dewormed as the summer progresses.

Parasites are a reason that cattle will stop eating, and something as simple as a dewormer can prevent your calf from going off feed. You have the option of an injectable, oral or pour-on wormer. Choose one, treat all the calves the same and rest assured that they have been wormed.

If you do have to treat a calf, or even when you worm your calf, it is a good idea to give it a dose of Sure Champ^® Appetite Plus Gel. Formerly known as Vita Charge Gel, this gel for all livestock is designed to provide immediate support to the animal’s digestive and immune system. It contains AO-Biotics^® Amaferm^®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility and MOS (mannan oligosaccharides) to help normalize gut microflora and support the immune system. Appetite Plus Gel works fast to support appetite and hydration.

2. Provide Fresh Water

We cannot emphasize enough the importance of clean, fresh water for your show cattle. Since water is the most vital nutrient to all livestock, it is important your calf has a constant, fresh, clean water source. Be sure it knows where the water tank is, so it doesn’t go without it and becomes dehydrated. If you tie in during the day, be sure to tie low, and provide drink opportunities thorough each day.

3. Feed the Ration Best for your Animal

Just like there are numerous opinions about skin and hair techniques, there are just as many opinions about livestock feed rations. There are several factors to consider. First, determine your endpoint, especially with market animals, so you know how many pounds you need to gain per day to hit your target. Next, consider the nutrition program your animal needs and follow it. Do you have an animal that requires more protein and less energy? Increase the energy and decrease the carbs in its diet, accordingly.

4. Provide Good-quality Hay

Keep free-choice hay available to your calf to keep fiber content up and its digestive tract healthy. Any animal that is on a grain-based ration should be fed grass hay, grass-hay blend or grain or forage hay. Don’t compromise the quality of hay, but don’t focus on feeding a forage high in protein like alfalfa. This is important because the calves are getting their protein from their grain ration.

In addition to aiding the digestive tract, free-choice hay will also help your calf alleviate stress. Eating hay gives it something to do during the day when it otherwise might get bored.

5. Provide Supplements

One thing that cattle exhibitors often overlook is the need to provide supplements to their show animals. Salt is good to have out for them. It is also good to include VitaFerm^® Stress Tubs in their runs. Formerly known as Vita Charge Stress Tub, the Stress Tubs are designed for cattle to support digestive health and intake. They contain Amaferm, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility, and MOS to help normalize gut microflora and support the immune system. The Stress Tubs also contain a probiotic to help restore the gut microbiome.

Sure Champ Supplements

We offer two other supplements designed specifically for cattle exhibitors, Sure Champ^® Cattle and Sure Champ^® Cattle Drench.

Sure Champ Cattle is a pelleted, daily supplement with protein, vitamins and minerals for show livestock designed to support performance. It contains Amaferm, stimulates consistent appetite, and ensures that cattle receive adequate vitamins and minerals.

Sure Champ Cattle Drench is a drench for cattle designed to support digestive health before, during and after challenges. Formerly known as Vita Charge Cattle Drench, it contains enzymes that generate a more rapid digestive response. It also contains Amaferm and MOS (mannan oligosaccharides), which help normalize gut microflora and support the immune system.

6. Watch Your Calf Eat

You can tell a lot about the health and nutrition of your show animal, just by observing it at feeding time.

Does it readily come to the feed bunk? Or is it hesitant to start eating? Does it eat quickly, licking the surface for more? Perhaps that is a sign that it isn’t getting enough to eat. Or perhaps you have a slow eater. Your animal doesn’t seem to want to eat. That could be a sign that it doesn’t feel well, is getting too much to eat or you simply need to back down on its ration.

Observation is critical during your feeding program. As always, if you make changes, and your steer or heifer still seems “off,” you will want to contact your veterinarian.

6. Be Consistent

It’s best to keep your calf on the same feeding schedule each day, and typically about 12 hours apart. This allows for the microbial impact of the digestive tract to work properly, and it establishes behavioral patterns for your cattle. Feeding time is a good time to tell if calves are getting sick because if they don’t come up to eat, that is an indication they are not feeling well.

Make your Champions at Home 

Show cattle nutrition is an important part of reaching your goals. Nutrition combined with quality genetics and hard work, will help you make your champions at home. Optimizing your genetics with a quality ration fueled with Sure Champ is a great way to keep your animals eating, drinking and performing.

You can get your Sure Champ products as easily as ordering online today.

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To read this and other educational articles, visit: https://surechamp.com/show-cattle-nutrition/

About BioZyme^® Inc.

BioZyme Inc., founded in 1951, develops and manufactures natural, proprietary products focused on animal nutrition, health and microbiology. With a continued commitment to research, BioZyme offers a complete line of feed additives and high density, highly available vitamin, mineral, trace mineral and protein supplements for a variety of animals including cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep, goats, horses and dogs. BioZyme brands include AO-Biotics^,®, VitaFerm^®, Gain Smart^®, Sure Champ^®, Vitalize^®, DuraFerm^®and Backyard Boost^®. With headquarters in St. Joseph, Missouri, the company reaches a global market of customers that stretches into countries across five continents. For more information about BioZyme, visit www.biozymeinc.com.

How Soon Will a Cow Breed Back After Calving

Article courtesy of BioZyme^® Inc.

(SAINT JOSEPH, Mo., April 30, 2024) We expect a lot from a cow. She spends roughly 283 days in gestation, delivers a calf, and then we prepare her for breed back and expect her to conceive problem free during her first heat. That is a lot for the body to handle, and the cow does it, hopefully, year after year after year.

The time it takes for a cow to breed back after calving is often referred to as the postpartum interval. Its length of time varies based on several factors, including the cow’s health, body condition, age, breed, nutrition and management practices.

So, how soon will a cow breed back after calving?

The Timeframe

On average, most cows are expected to breed back within 45 to 90 days after calving. This period allows the cow’s reproductive system to recover and prepare for the next breeding cycle. A shorter postpartum interval contributes to a consistent calving interval, allowing the cow to calve at approximately the same time each year.

Keeping your herd on the same calving interval also keeps your calf crop consistent and uniform. This helps with weaning and marketing as buyers look for calves of consistent age, size and weight at weaning and sale time.

Factors That Influence Postpartum Interval

Body Condition

Cows with a good body condition score at calving tend to have a shorter postpartum interval. If a cow is underweight or in poor condition, it may take longer for her to regain reproductive function. Get your cows ready for breeding with a good plane of nutrition.

You don’t want to have them be too fat or too thin. Although they are calving during spring, when grasses are at their lushest, remember that grass is often watery and may not contain the DM needed for the cow. You might need to supplement with added grain or hay, especially since they are raising a calf and preparing for breed back simultaneously.

Age

How soon will a cow breed back after calving? It’s often going to depend on their age. First-calf heifers may take longer to breed back compared to mature cows because they are still growing and recovering from their first calving experience.

Remember, as nutrients are partitioned out, growth is a priority. Reproduction is the lowest priority for younger females. So, you need to provide for your young females nutritionally to support long-term reproductive success.

Nutrition

Adequate nutrition plays a crucial role in reproductive recovery. Cows receiving proper nutrition and mineral supplementation are more likely to breed back sooner. This is where we can help your herd with a vitamin and mineral supplement like VitaFerm^® Concept•Aid^®. The Concept•Aid products promote effective, easy breeding when fed 60 days pre-calving through 60 days post-breeding. Concept•Aid products contain:

· AO-Biotics^® Amaferm^®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility.

· Organic copper, iodine and zinc for maximum bioavailability, innate immunity and hoof health.

· High levels of Vitamin E to support reproductive tract repair and milk quality.

Available in a variety of formulas, in both loose and tubs, VitaFerm makes a Concept•Aid formula for every management scenario. Find the Concept•Aid best for your operation with our Concept•Aid Product Navigator.

Breed

Some breeds or genetic lines may have a shorter or longer postpartum interval due to differences in reproductive efficiency. Record keeping is an important tool to track which genetic lines do indeed breed back faster. If you have continued challenges with the same cow each year, it might be time to consider culling her.

Management Practices

Proper management, including minimizing stress, providing adequate care and ensuring a suitable breeding environment, can influence the postpartum interval. This includes providing shelter and space as needed, fresh, plentiful water and ensuring that your herd remains healthy postpartum.

Estrus Cycle Resumption

After calving, cows undergo a period of reproductive recovery known as the “anestrus period.” This is the time between calving and the resumption of estrus (heat cycles). Factors such as nutritional status, stress and body condition can affect the duration of this period.

Estrus Synchronization

Some producers use estrus synchronization protocols to induce estrus and shorten the postpartum interval. This can help manage breeding more efficiently and achieve desired calving intervals. Using CIDRS or other hormone injection techniques are the most common synchronization methods. To discover the protocol right for you and your operation, work with your veterinarian or your beef genetic supplier or reproduction specialist.

BioZyme^® Can Help

At BioZyme, believe in care that comes full circle for every animal. That is why we want to help you determine how soon will a cow breed back after calving. To ensure cows breed back in a timely manner, it’s essential to focus on the following:

Maintain cows in optimal body condition through proper nutrition.
Reduce stress and provide a clean and comfortable environment.
Monitor cows for signs of estrus (heat) and use appropriate breeding methods (natural service or artificial insemination).
Implement breeding protocols that align with herd management goals.
Ensure cows receive adequate mineral and vitamin supplementation – VitaFerm Concept•Aid.

If a cow doesn’t breed back within the expected timeframe, it may be necessary to evaluate her health, nutrition and management to determine any issues and implement corrective measures.

Get your VitaFerm Today

Not sure how soon will a cow breed back after calving? Well, with the help of VitaFerm, it will be a lot sooner than your neighbor’s cows who isn’t using VitaFerm!

Are you ready to add VitaFerm to your mineral program? We hope so! Not only will VitaFerm help with easy, effective breeding, it will also increase digestibility, helping keep your entire herd healthier.

Not sure what product is right for your operation? Refer to the Concept•Aid Product Navigator to help you discover the product best for you.

Are you looking for a handy gestation calculator to help you determine the right time to breed back your cows based on when you want to calve? We’ve got you covered there too! Check out our automated Gestation Calculator.

Looking to buy the VitaFerm products locally? Find a local dealer here.

If you’re not seeing a dealer in your area but still want to support local businesses, consider referring a dealer.