As drought, high input costs, and market volatility have driven U.S. cow herd numbers to 70-year lows, some Iowa cattlemen may consider starting a fall herd if markets dictate.
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Meeting the feed needs of fall-calving herds
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Table 1 lists common forages used as the base of beef cow diets and notes when a CP or TDN supplement is likely needed during the year based on spring or fall-calving cows’ requirements.Â
Figure 1 tracks the crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) or energy requirements for a 1,400 lb, mature cow with above-average milk to maintain a BCS 5 throughout the calendar year.
