Genetics Have Outpaced Management in Some Herds
In today’s beef industry, growth is expected – and often rewarded. As cow size evolves alongside genetics, it’s a great time for producers to ask: Are our management practices keeping pace?
“Feeder weights have gone up, but weaning weights have stayed flat for the last 20 years,” says Dr. Elizabeth Belew, beef nutritionist with Purina Animal Nutrition. “That tells us something. We’re building bigger cows, but we’re not necessarily translating that into heavier calves at weaning.”
The difference, she explains, comes down to nutrition. As genetics continue to advance, today’s cows are capable of greater growth and performance, making it more important than ever for management practices to evolve in step. Ensuring cows receive the right balance of forage and supplemental nutrition is key to unlocking their full potential.
Matching management with modern cattle
“We’re using these genetics for a reason; they’re delivering growth and performance,” says Belew. “But it’s worth asking: Are our management strategies evolving alongside them, or are we still feeding today’s cows with yesterday’s playbook?”
That means looking beyond pedigree and asking deeper questions about nutritional strategies, grazing pressure and reproductive performance.
“If you go from managing a 1,000-pound cow to a 1,500-pound cow, that’s a 50% increase in body weight,” Belew explains. “But her energy requirement doesn’t increase linearly. It goes up about 36%. That’s still a significant bump.”
Bigger cows, bigger resource needs
Let’s do the math. Using 2.5% of body weight as an intake estimator:
- A 1,000-lb. cow will consume about 25 lbs. of dry matter daily.
- A 1,500-lb. cow will need roughly 37-38 lbs. of dry matter daily.
That difference adds up to approximately 4,500 additional lbs. of forage per cow, per year. Multiply that by herd size, and the forage demands become clear.
“If you don’t have the resources, whether that’s pasture, feed or labor, then that cow’s size could start working against you,” Belew says.
Increasing stocking rates can help address nutritional needs, but forages alone will not always be enough, especially for today’s larger cattle. In addition to dry matter intake, it is important to ensure each cow is receiving the right minerals to support their needs and size. Purina’s Wind and Rain® Mineral is available as a comprehensive line of beef cattle minerals designed to address the mineral deficiencies of the available forage, in a palatable, weather-resistant, granular formula.
Are bigger cows weaning bigger calves?
Many producers wonder whether a heavier cow justifies her cost by weaning a proportionally larger calf. One benchmark Belew recommends is weaning 50% of the cow’s body weight.
“A 1,500-lb. cow should wean a 750-lb. calf,” Belew says. “Can that 1,500-pound cow get it done? I think she can, but only if she’s fed and managed to meet her genetic potential.”
One tool to help meet those needs? Creep feeding.
There’s definitely a play for creep feeding in today’s herds,” Belew says. “Creep feeding Purina® Accuration® Creep programs can help close the gap between what the cow can deliver and what the calf needs to thrive.”
Belew suggests producers ask themselves five key questions:
1. What is the average weight of my mature cows?
- Weigh them on a scale or compare your sale barn ticket to find the average of your herd.
2. Am I matching my nutrition program to actual cow size and performance goals?
- During breeding, analyze your cow’s body condition score and make improvements if needed to meet your herd’s needs before weaning.
3. How do my weaning weights compare to cow size?
- Compare your weaning weights to your average cow size to better understand if your cows are properly supporting their calves.
4. Can my land support the grazing needs of a heavier herd?
- Especially in drought-prone areas, reevaluate your land to ensure you are meeting the needs of your herd.
5. Where does creep feeding make sense in my system?
- Complement mother’s milk and available forage, while boosting calf gain before weaning by feeding Purina® Accuration® Creep Programs.
Bottom line: Feed the cow you’ve got
“Bigger cows can absolutely work in a herd,” Belew says. “Whether you’re managing 50 cows or 500, the message is the same: feed strategically, stock appropriately and never assume one size fits all.”
Want help evaluating your forage demands or cow size strategy? Visit PurinaMills.com/CattleCare or talk to your local Purina® cattle specialist.
