Cattle Diet
Cattle producers are the original stewards of the land. They know if they take care of the land and the resources Mother Nature offers, that land will ultimately take care of them. However, ranchers are more than cattle producers.
As stewards of the land, they also harvest sunshine, Vitamin D, and the forages that grow in the soil. But ultimately, U.S. ranchers are raising a safe, economical, delicious supply of beef. Just one 3 oz. portion of beef provides us with 50% of our daily protein requirements. If just a tiny portion of beef provides humans with that much protein, just think how much protein cattle must need in their diet. The answer: a lot.
Protein is an important part of the cattle diet. While other nutrients are also vital, protein plays a role in several functions, including maintenance, growth, reproduction, gestation, lactation, and overall health. Basically, it requires protein to make protein.
That’s why our VitaFerm® Team created this blog; we wanted to provide tips to the producers who are growing our protein sources.
Developing a cattle diet plan involves several key steps to ensure that the nutritional needs of the cattle are met for optimal growth, health, and productivity.
Who is VitaFerm?
VitaFerm® is an established brand of vitamin and mineral supplements designed to maximize energy and forage utilization for successful beef production. Our products support cattle producers looking to maximize their operations. Best of all, VitaFerm products ensure balanced nutrition for livestock.
The VitaFerm brand is the flagship brand of BioZyme® Inc., a leading fermentation company pioneering advancements in animal nutrition and health. Through innovative research and high-quality manufacturing, BioZyme creates powerful solutions that improve animal performance and support producer profitability in the agricultural industry.
Our mission: undeniable positive impact on the health and wellness of your animals and your business.
When is Protein Important to the Cattle Diet?
Protein is most important in the cattle diet during the several key phases of production. Although it is important to the overall health and well-being, producers should prioritize protein during these specific times.
Growing Phase
Importance
Protein, which includes both calves and replacement heifers, is crucial during the growing phase, as it supports rapid growth and development. Adequate protein intake is necessary for the development of muscle, bone, and organ tissues, ensuring that young cattle reach their full growth potential and are healthy and strong.
Risks
Insufficient protein during growth can lead to stunted growth, poor body condition, and long-term negative impacts on productivity.
Late Gestation
Importance
During the last trimester of pregnancy, pregnant cows’ protein needs increase significantly. This is because the fetus experiences rapid growth during this period. While the fetus is continually growing in size throughout the gestation, more than 75% of its total weight gain and growth happens in the last trimester of pregnancy.
Furthermore, the cow’s body is preparing for lactation. Adequate protein helps support fetal development in beef cattle, ensures healthy birth weights, and prepares the cow for the demands of milk production.
“All nutrients play a pivotal role in fetal growth and development, but it’s a matter of providing enough of the ‘right’ ones at the ‘right’ time. Energy and protein are the most common considerations when assessing a nutrition program during gestation, as they are usually the most limiting nutrients. However, never take a good vitamin and mineral program for granted,” said Chris Cassady, Ph.D., BioZyme® Inc. Director of Beef Technical Sales.
Risks
Inadequate protein during the third trimester can lead to lower birth weights, weaker calves, and less calf vigor. Additionally, the reduced amount of protein can reduce the cow’s ability to produce milk and recover post-calving.
Lactation
Importance
Protein is most important during lactation, especially in the early weeks after calving, when milk production is at its peak. Lactating cows require substantial amounts of protein to produce high-quality milk supporting their calves’ growth and health. The nutritional demands are particularly high for dairy cows and beef cows nursing multiple calves or high-performance calves.
Risks
Milk yield and quality can decrease without sufficient protein, negatively impacting calf growth rates and overall health. Additionally, the cow may lose body condition, which can impact a successful breed-back.
Finishing Phase
Importance
Protein is crucial during the beef finishing phase to promote efficient muscle growth and achieve the desired carcass quality before harvest. While energy is the primary focus during this phase, protein is still necessary to ensure that the muscle tissue develops properly and that cattle maintain optimal body condition.
Risks
Inadequate protein during finishing can result in insufficient feed conversion rates, lower carcass quality and reduced profitability.
These phases represent critical points in the cattle production cycle where protein plays a fundamental role in ensuring the health, growth, and productivity of the animals. Ensuring that cattle receive adequate protein during these periods supports overall herd performance and economic success.
Sources of Protein in the Cattle Diet
Several protein sources exist for producers to include in their cattle diet. These sources can be mixed to provide a balanced diet that meets the protein needs of cattle depending on their stage of growth, lactation, or finishing.
Legume Hay & Other Forages
Forages are a cost-effective source of protein, as many producers rely on grazing for the majority of the year. However, different grass and hay types greatly differ in their protein content, which can impact the need for supplementation. Here are some of the most common forages:
Alfalfa
One of the most common high-protein forages, it can range from 9-26% crude protein (CP).
Clover
Another legume that provides good protein content, usually 12-16% CP.
Other Forage
Tall fescue, corn silage other native grasses and other non-legume forages are also sources of CP. However, they are generally lower in protein than legumes.
Soybean Meal
One of the most commonly used protein supplements is a byproduct of soybean oil extraction.
Corn Byproducts
Many producers in the Midwestern and Plains states where corn is grown can incorporate corn byproducts into their cattle diet for added protein. In addition to corn silage, as mentioned above, there are additional supplements.
Distillers Grains
Byproducts from ethanol production, from corn, are often available as wet or dry distillers grains.
Corn Gluten Meal
Another byproduct of corn processing is corn gluten meal. It is high in protein and rich in energy.
Regional Grain Byproducts
We mention corn and soybean byproducts as part of the cattle diet since they are traditional grains farmed throughout the country. However, several crops produced in specific geographic regions also offer good protein sources for a cattle diet.
Cottonseed Meal
In regions where cotton is grown, this is another high-protein alternative.
Peanut Meal
Peanut meal is a high-protein feedstuff. However, its usage might be limited due to aflatoxin concerns.
Sunflower Meal
Sunflowers are growing in popularity across parts of the U.S. Sunflower meal is a byproduct of sunflower oil extraction. It is lower in protein than soybean meal but still valuable.
Linseed Meal
Linseed meal is a byproduct of flaxseed processing. It is a good protein source and also benefits hair coat health.
Canola Meal
Canola Meal is a byproduct of canola oil production. It is rich in protein and is a common protein supplement in cattle diets.
Brewer’s Grains
Party ‘til the cows come home. Okay, maybe not, but more and more producers have found the benefits of brewer’s grains, a byproduct of beer production. Brewer’s grains offer both protein and energy to your cattle diet.
Urea
This is a common non-protein nitrogen (NPN) source that rumen bacteria can convert into protein, but it must be used carefully to avoid toxicity. Urea is best utilized within high-grain diets as energy is readily available to the rumen microbes.
Forage diets are digested slower. Therefore, it leads to the microbes’ less efficient use of urea.
VitaFerm Offers Protein Supplements
At BioZyme, makers of VitaFerm, we understand the need for protein supplementation in the cattle diet. Especially as the days grow shorter, the nutrient supplies in the forages are also beginning to deplete. We are also heading into a time when fall-calving cows are gearing up for lactation. And soon, we will be hitting late gestation in the spring-calving herd.
We know that every producer and every operation is different. That is why we offer several choices of VitaFerm protein supplements, each of them powered by AO-Biotics® Amaferm®. Amaferm is a prebiotic research proven to enhance digestibility.
Here’s a rundown of the VitaFerm products specifically for added protein.
VitaFerm® Concept•Aid® Protein Meal
VitaFerm Concept•Aid Protein Meal This is a premium free-choice 2% phosphorus vitamin and mineral supplement with protein for beef cattle on grass pasture designed to support reproductive success on low protein forage.
In addition to Amaferm, it contains high levels of vitamin E to support reproductive tract repair and milk quality. It also includes 20% natural protein and organic copper, iodine, and zinc for maximum bioavailability, innate immunity, and hoof health.
VitaFerm® Concept•Aid® Protein Tub
VitaFerm Concept•Aid Protein Tub This is a premium protein tub with vitamins and minerals for beef cattle on grass pasture designed to support reproductive success on low protein forage.
In addition to Amaferm, it contains high levels of vitamin E to support reproductive tract repair and milk quality. It also includes 20% natural protein and organic copper, iodine, and zinc for maximum bioavailability, innate immunity, and hoof health.
This tub and the above-mentioned Protein Meal are part of the Concept•Aid line. The Concept•Aid products promote effective, easy breeding when fed 60 days pre-calving through 60 days post-breeding.
VitaFerm Conserve® Protein Meal
VitaFerm Conserve® Protein Meal is a free-choice vitamin and mineral supplement with protein for beef cattle designed to support herd health and performance while conserving cost. It also contains Amaferm and 20% natural protein.
The Conserve line features a complete but economical vitamin and mineral package.
VitaFerm Conserve® Protein Tub
VitaFerm Conserve Protein Tub is a natural protein tub for beef cattle designed to support herd health and performance while conserving cost. Like the Conserve Protein Meal, this tub also contains Amaferm and 20% natural protein and features a complete but economical vitamin and mineral package.
VitaFerm® 30-13% Protein Tub™
VitaFerm 30-13% Protein Tub is a protein tub for beef cattle with urea and natural protein designed to support herd health and performance while conserving cost. This tub also contains Amaferm and features a complete but economical vitamin and mineral package.
Additionally, it includes 30% urea protein with no more than 13% equivalent crude protein from non-protein nitrogen.
BioZyme Products are Research Proven
Hopefully now that you understand the importance of protein in your cattle diet, you also understand the importance of Amaferm!
Amaferm is the key additive in all VitaFerm products. It has more than 111 published and/or presented research studies proving its increase in digestibility and, ultimately, its impact on the animal.
Amaferm also impacts the overall microbial protein production. It plays a pivotal role in the overall metabolizable protein of the cow.
“Amaferm boosts microbial protein production by 30%, which is nutritionally equivalent of feeding a pound of a protein source. So, whether you’re looking for your protein supplement to feed better than it reads on the label or find opportunities to cut back on the amount of protein supplement needed, Amaferm is a really great tool,” said Chris Cassady, Ph.D., BioZyme Inc. Director of Beef Technical Sales.
Get Your Hay Tested!
You can’t supplement what you don’t understand. That is one reason BioZyme offers complimentary hay testing services for its customers.
You can’t tell the nutritional value of your hay or forages by looking at them, but our lab can analyze them, and our nutritionists can help you determine which hay to feed during what reproductive phases and how to supplement your herd along the way.
Buy Your VitaFerm Today
Providing protein for your herd at critical times is an important part of your cattle diet management plan. At BioZyme, we give you options within the VitaFerm brand. Not sure what to feed cows when it comes to VitaFerm? Check out our Concept•Aid Product Navigator.
Get your VitaFerm products from an authorized BioZyme dealer today. Our extensive dealer network is here to help you meet mineral needs.
Want to learn more about VitaFerm and our other products? Sign up for our electronic newsletter to stay in the know!
