Cattle Feeding

To be successful in the cattle farming business, you must have to know the right cattle feed management system and the necessity of it. Basically cattle feed management means providing quality feed for good health, proper growth and better production (in different stages of life and in different seasons).

The possibility of success in cattle farming business depends on the proper feed management system. If you intend to run and maintain a profitable business, then you must have to provide your cattle well balanced and nutritious food according to their demand. For maintaining a profitable cattle farming business, follow the cattle feed management system described below.

Colostrum Feeding For Calves

For getting healthy and productive cattle, you have to ensure your calves have received the colostrum. Colostrum is the first milk which cow produce after giving birth of a calf. Ensure that a calf has received at least 2 liters of colostrum within three days after it's birth.

You can't ignore the importance of the colostrum, because it contains a large amount of globulin (a remarkable source of antibodies) that is urgent to maintain a healthy life and for protecting the cattle from infection.

Colostrum contain 3 to 5 times more protein and 5 to 15 times more vitamin A than general milk. It also contain magnesium, antithetic acid, iron, thiamine, copper, and chlorine etc. Colostrum acts like an laxative.

Whole Milk Feeding

In case of whole milk feeding, you should follow some points. Give the calves their mother's milk. Let the calf to suckle it's mom's udder. Always try to maintain a routing while feeding whole milk to the calves.

Skimmed Milk Feeding

The cream removed milk is called skimmed milk. In many dairy farms, this milk is given to the calves to make excellent dairy calves. Never feed the calves skimmed milk suddenly, instead add little amount of skimmed milk with whole milk.

Skimmed Dried Milk Feeding (Buttermilk)

Skimmed dried milk or buttermilk is an ideal feed for the calves. Mix buttermilk at the rate of 1 kg milk with about 9 kg of water. This mixture is very helpful for digesting.

Calf Starter Feed

Calf starter is a mixture of grains, grass, protein, minerals, vitamins and antibiotics. After a calf reaches the age of two weeks, reduce the amount of skimmed milk or whole milk from their mom. Then offer the calves a small amount of calf starter feed. After a few day, provide them a growing grain ration.

Grain Mixture

For better growth of the calves, grain mixture is very helpful. You can start feeding the calves grain mixture at their age of 7 to 15 days. You have to prepare this mixture in such a way so that it contain a medium amount of protein. For preparing a grain mixture for your calves, use 20% of groundnut cake, 35% oats, 5% linseed cake, 10% barley and 30% bran.

Feeding Growing Animals

For proper and fast growth of your calves (which are under one year of age) adequate concentrate cattle feed is urgent. A considerable mixture of roughage is necessary for getting maximum growth. You can give this type of mixture to your growing calves (6 months or more) and adult cattle.

Lactating Cattle Feeding

During the lactation, dairy cattle need much energy. Additional energy helps to increase the amount of milk. During this time, a concentrate mixture which is prepared with oil cakes, cereal grains, tapioca chips and laxative feed.

Feeding the Bulls

You can raise some bulls in your herd for the purpose of breeding. Bulls require more energy and other nutrients enriched food than dairy cattle. So always try to provide them sufficient amount of nutritious feed.

Some Tips For Dairy Cattle Feeding

1. Always try to feed your cattle by your own or by the same person regularly.
2. High quality roughage can reduce concentrate feeding costs, and it's also very suitable for the cattle.
3. You can replace 1 kg straw by using 4 to 5 kg fresh grass. Provide the cattle sufficient amount of prepared cattle feed to meet up  the lacking of protein and other nutrients.
4. Follow a regular routine work while feeding your animals for maximum production.
5. You should give exact amount of feed for avoiding indigestion.
6. Avoid sudden feed schedule change. If you want to change their feeding time, then do it gradually.
7. Provide your cattle chopped grass and hay.
8. Store the cattle feed and feed ingredients in such a place which is well ventilated, dry and cool.

Along with providing adequate nutritious feed to your cattle, ensure availability of sufficient amount of clean and fresh water for them. Cattle are large sized animal than any other livestock animals. So they require more drinking water daily. Hope this cattle feeding guide has helped you! Good luck and may God bless you!