Feedlots and cow/calf operations in the beef industry who feed 500 or more has annually on grains and concentrates; maintain 500 or more beef cows; backgrounder, stocker/grower, preconditioner; veterinarian, nutritionist, consultant
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18 FEED•LOT November 2015 Grazing stocker cattle on winter wheat during the fall and winter months can provide cost-effective gains. Wheat pasture is succulent, palatable and nutritious – high in protein, energy and minerals. "There are few feeding options in the southwestern United States that come anywhere near wheat pasture for stocker gains," says ADM Beef Nutritionist Brian Fieser, PhD. But good isn't perfect, and even winter wheat can benefit from supplementation. Specific needs can vary by geo- graphic location and weather. Trace minerals, in particular, will vary ac- cording to soil type, fertilizer appli- cation, and crop management. In general, winter wheat will contain marginal to sufficient magnesium (Mg) and phosphorous (P), excess potassium (K), and de- ficient levels of calcium (Ca). "Zinc and copper are two trace minerals that tend to be low in winter wheat pasture," says Fieser. Sodium (salt) is important for wheat pasture cat- tle, as it can balance the excess potassium in the forage. Unless animals are headed for an all-natural program, Fieser rec- ommends supplements containing ionophores. ADM officially uses an 0.18-0.24 lb/hd/day figure, explain- ing the increased performance comes from a change in rumen fer- mentation; and the subsequent im- proved digestibility of protein and energy, as well as increased miner- al absorption. Even on lush forage like winter wheat, cattle will likely benefit from additional energy and pro- tein. That becomes a necessity when winter snows bury fields. During times of limited forage availability, the energy supplement should be fed at 1.25-1.5 percent of body weight. High quality hay makes a good option. Added Energy Supplemental feeds range from grains or grain by-products to silage and dry hay. Producer pref- erence and herd management com- bined with availability are the de- ciding factors. Studies have shown a grain or grain by-product energy supple- ment of 0.65-1 percent of body weight on a dry matter basis can increase gains up to 0.2-0.3 pounds per day. It can also increase stock- ing capacity by 25-30 percent, al- lowing for more animals per field. Typically, winter wheat forage without supplementation will sup- port 250-500 pounds of animal per acre, or for the average 300-350 pound stocker calf, one to two acres per head. Energy supplements are either high-starch (corn, sorghum, wheat, barley, oats) or high-fiber (wheat middlings, soybean hulls, corn gluten feed, distillers grains). Typ- ically, by-product feeds will yield better conversions and fewer di- gestive disturbances than high- starch supplements in forage- based diets, because the rumen in a forage-fed animal is already adapted to a high-fiber diet. A recent Oklahoma State study STOCKER SPECIAL B y TERRI QUECK MATZIE SUPPLEMENTING WINTER WHEAT PASTURES What's Needed and What Isn't