Key Technical Points for Standardized Feeding and Management of Beef Cows

I. Feeding and Management of Foundation Cows

6-12 months of age: Calculated on the basis of 100 kg live weight, feed 5-6 kg of silage, 1.5-2 kg of hay, 1-2 kg of straw, and 1-1.5 kg of concentrate per day.

12-18 months of age: The diet should be based mainly on roughage and succulent feed. Calculated on a dry matter basis, roughage accounts for 75% and concentrate for 25%, and hay, straw, etc. should be placed in the exercise yard.

18-24 months of age: The diet should be based mainly on high-quality hay, green grass, silage and root tubers, and concentrate may be fed sparingly or not at all. However, in late pregnancy, because the fetus grows rapidly in the body, concentrate must be supplemented additionally, 2-3 kg per day. Calculated on a dry matter basis, roughage accounts for 70% and concentrate for 30%.

Group management: According to the size of the herd, cattle of similar ages should be grouped and raised separately as much as possible.

Weight control: A daily weight gain of about 600 g should be maintained. At 12 months of age, body weight should not be less than 280 kg, and at 18 months of age, body weight should not be less than 350 kg.

II. Feeding and Management of Pregnant Cows

In the first 6 months of gestation, routine feeding is sufficient, ensuring moderate to good body condition, and providing sufficient green forage. In the last 3 months of pregnancy, fetal growth accelerates, so nutritional requirements should be increased.

When pregnant cows are mainly raised in confinement, green feed and silage should be the main feed, appropriately supplemented with concentrate, so that each pregnant cow is supplemented with 3 kg of concentrate per day, fed 3 times daily.

Ensure that pregnant cows have access to drinking water and exercise. Prevent crowding, collisions, sudden running, drinking ice water, and feeding moldy or spoiled feed. At the same time, avoid excessive fatness. Daily exercise of 1-2 hours is required.

Cows should enter the maternity pen 1-2 weeks before the expected calving date. The maternity pen should be clean, dry and quiet, with the site disinfected, and the floor covered with clean, dry, hygienic (sun-dried) soft bedding straw. After the cow gives birth, she should be fed warm bran salt water porridge, which can replenish the cow's body fluid loss and help restore strength, regulate acid-base balance, and in winter also warm the abdomen and satisfy hunger.

III. Feeding and Management of Lactating Cows

In late pregnancy, the diet should be based mainly on high-quality roughage, with less dry alfalfa and corn silage. Supplement with minerals and salt, and ensure a certain amount of green hay is fed.

During the perinatal period, careful feeding is required, and concentrate can be gradually increased, but the maximum feeding amount must not exceed 1% of body weight.

On the 1st-2nd day after calving, easily digestible feed should be fed, with 40-60 g of sodium sulfate supplemented, high-quality forage provided for free intake, salt intake appropriately controlled, and cows must not be given cold water to drink. On the 3rd-4th day after calving, concentrate can be gradually increased, with a daily increase of 0.5-0.8 kg. After 2 weeks post-calving, the diet can be fed according to standard, and roughage such as silage and alfalfa can be gradually added.

During lactation, high-energy feed must be provided, and as much dry matter and concentrate as possible should be consumed. Appropriately increase the number of feedings, and green hay and silage should be available for free intake.

The annual feed supply should be balanced and stable, and winter and summer diets must be reasonably matched. About 5 kg of green hay, about 15 kg of silage, and about 50 kg of green grass.

In summer, ensure sufficient drinking water, increase the proportion of concentrate, and supplement with vitamin feed; in winter, increase energy feed, keep drinking water temperature at 12-16°C, and do not let them drink ice water.

IV. Cow Feed Formula:

Concentrate formula: corn 58%, wheat bran 14%, cottonseed meal 12%, rapeseed meal 11%, premix 5% (nutrient content: crude protein 16.03%, crude fat 2.88%, calcium 0.13%, phosphorus 0.159%); daily concentrate feeding: 1-1.5 kg.

Roughage: Calculated at 2.5% of body weight, mix wheat straw, corn straw or corn cobs, and silage at 1:1:4, plus green forage (appropriate amounts of alfalfa or carrot).