- - AGRICULTURE CORE CURRICULUM - - (CLF3000) Advanced Core Cluster: ANIMAL SCIENCE (CLF3250) Unit Title: LIVESTOCK BREEDING AND GENETICS ____________________________________________________________________________ (CLF3261) Topic: FEEDING REPRODUCING Time Year(s) ANIMALS 2 hours 3 / 4 ____________________________________________________________________________ Topic Objectives: Upon completion of this lesson, the student will be able to: Learning Outcome #: (D-23) - Develop a feeding regime for a dam through gestation, parturition, and lactation. Special Materials and Equipment: Feed samples of those feeds discussed in class and reference books listed below. References: Bath, Donald L. (1978). DAIRY CATTLE: PRINCIPLES, PRACTICES, PROBLEMS, PROFITS. Bundy and Diggins, LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY PRODUCTION. Ensminger, M.E. THE STOCKMAN'S HANDBOOK. Evaluation: Quiz by instructor. TOPIC PRESENTATION: FEEDING REPRODUCING ANIMALS REVIEW: Animal Science Cluster, Nutrition and Feeds Unit, specifically the lesson plans for "Feed Identification and Nutrient Evaluation" CLF3151, and "Developing Rations" CLF3154 for an in-depth discussion of balancing rations. A. General Needs For All Species 1. Facts to remember: a. The development of the fetus occurs most rapidly during the last trimester (1/3) of gestation. Therefore, 1) demands on the mother's body are greatest at this time, and 2) the dam may need supplementary feeding. b. The fetus is composed mainly of water, protein, and minerals. Therefore, 1) the dam may require extra dietary protein if her diet is insufficient, and 2) minerals such as calcium and phosphorus should be supplemented or provided in adequate amounts. c. A day or two prior to parturition, the female may not have a normal appetite. This may be caused the fetus pressing on the digestive tract and diminishing its capacity. d. During parturition, the female is unlikely to eat because contractions during parturition are painful and distracting so that she may not have an appetite. e. One to two days after parturition, the female may be fed a laxative ration to stimulate bowel movement to get the digestive tract back to normal. An example of a good ration is: 1) wheat bran mixed with warm water and made into a mash. It is a palatable laxative for most species kept in confinement. 2) A small amount of alfalfa hay (high fiber content relative to other hog feed) may be fed to swine to stimulate the digestive tract. B. Feeding Breeding Animals by Species 1. Swine a. Feeding during gestation: 1) The ration fed to the sow has much to do with the type of litter she will farrow - a poor diet makes for a poor litter. 2) The age and condition of the female influences the feeding regime. For example: a) young gilts are growing physically and producing a litter of pigs, they will need extra attention, and b) thin sows require more feed than do sows in good flesh. 3) Nutritional allowances for bred gilts and sows include: a) 14-16 percent protein ration, b) 6 percent calcium and 4 percent phosphorus, c) Vitamin A and D supplement, and d) a sample ration - Ground shelled corn 74.5 lbs. Soybean Meal 10.0 lbs. Meat and Bone Meal 5.0 lbs. Dehydrated alfalfa 10.0 lbs. Iodized salt .5 lbs. Vitamin A 30,000 I.U. Vitamin D 6,000 I.U. Vitamin B 1.4 gm. 4) Gain desired should be from 75-125 pounds in gilts during pregnancy and from 75-100 pounds in sows. 5) The amount of feed required depends on the age and size of the female, but sows may receive 4+ pounds of feed per day and gilts 3-4 pounds of feed per day. b. Feeding during lactation: 1) The nutrient requirements during lactation are greater than those at any stage during gestation. 2) Sows are often self-fed during lactation in order to sustain the highest possible milk production. 3) Nutritional allowances for lactating sows include: a) 16-17 percent protein. b) a sample ration would be similar to the one previously suggested in section 3-d above, but higher in protein. 2. Beef Cattle a. Feeding during gestation: 1) The calf crop percentage is most affected by nutrition from 30 days before calving to 70 days after calving. 2) Feed depends on the age and weight of the cow or heifer: a) Larger cows need more total feed. For example, ========================================================== Weight Crude protein daily req't TDN daily req't. __________________________________________________________ 882 pounds .79 pounds 7.3 pounds 1332 pounds 1.15 pounds 10.4 pounds ========================================================== b) However, yearling heifers are still growing, so they have higher protein and energy requirements than mature cows. b. Types of Supplements: Assuming most cattle are raised on pasture or rangeland, their requirements differ according to the quality of the range. For example, 1) protein blocks - weigh from 30-50 pounds and are placed where cattle graze. Usually about 2 pounds per day per cow will be consumed. 2) "salt-feed" - contains 30-33 percent of salt mixed with grain or a prepared supplement, the salt limits the intake to 2-3 pounds per cow per day. 3) range cubes - made from soybean meal, alfalfa meal,molasses, slat, and trace minerals, 2-3 pounds per cow per day can be fed. c. Feeding during lactation: 1) Similar to that required during gestation, however, the protein requirement is higher. 2) Cows need adequate pasture or supplements so that weight loss and decreased milk production does not occur. 3. Sheep a. Feeding during gestation: 1) If a strong, healthy set of lambs is to be expected, the ewe must be properly fed. 2) About 2/3 of the birth weight of the developing fetus is attained during the last 6 weeks of pregnancy. 3) The protein requirement of a 140 pound ewe is 1/3 higher at the end of gestation than at the early stages of gestation, while the TDN requirements are 40 percent higher. 4) Usually a supplement allowance of 1/2 - 1 pound daily is supplied depending on the quality of roughage or pasture available. Examples of supplements include: a) high quality alfalfa hay, b) protein cubes or pellets made from cottonseed meal and soybean meal, c) grains such as corn, barley, oats mixed with molasses, and d) mineral and salt mixtures. b. Feeding during lactation: It is similar to gestation although requirements ARE HIGHER, therefore, care should be taken not to allow ewes to lose excessive weight or milk production will decrease. __________________________________________________________ ACTIVITY: 1. Using references like THE STOCKMAN'S HANDBOOK, develop a feeding regime for a dairy cow during her dry period and during her lactation time. How does this differ from beef cattle? __________________________________________________________ 4/16/90 bkm/sg/gv #%&C