Influence of winter nutrition on production and reproduction in spring-calving cows

Abstract

Winter nutrition requirements for beef cows grazing native tallgrass range in the Flint Hills were studied from 1968 through 1973. Three lb. milo was a better supplement to the basic ration of 3 lb. alfalfa hay than 1 1/2 lb. of soybean meal was. Younger cows performed better when 6 lb. milo was fed with the 3 lb. alfalfa hay. Feeding 3 lb. alfalfa hay or the equivalent until approximately 100 days before the breeding season and 3 lb. alfalfa hay, 6 lb. milo the remainder of the winter did not reduce performance of cows 3 years old or older. Cows that rebred lost less weight over winter and were heavier the next summer when they were bred than cows that did not rebreed.