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Beef nutritionist says drought, rising feed costs a concern this winter

A beef nutrition specialist with the University of Missouri says cattle producers need to make sure cows are getting enough energy heading into winter.

Eric Bailey says cows should calve with a body score of at least 5.  “When a cow calves in a body condition score less than 5 on our scale, typically it’s going to take it longer to breed back the next year,” he says.  “And that’s either going to reduce pregnancy rates or it’s going to back producers into a corner of extending the breeding season to try and maximize pregnancy.”

He tells Brownfield producers might end up with a few more calves, but it could be more costly in the long run.  “They’re going to be the youngest and the lightest calves in that calf crop,” he says.  “In a lot of respects, you’re probably better off just selling the open cow rather than keeping her around, feeding her up and having these lighter-type calves.”

Bailey says feed and energy costs for cows are up, with producers paying more for lower-quality hay and corn costs are double what they were during the 2018 drought.

AUDIO: Eric Bailey, University of Missouri