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| Drought of 2012 - limited standing forage in December |
Where pasture is lacking in amount as well as quality, the following suggestions are offered:
If only slightly limited, the feeding of range cubes (20% protein) or mixtures of grain and
cottonseed meal at rates of 3 to 5 pounds per cow daily may work for a while. Cubes with
a large amount of natural protein and a low crude fiber level (less than 10%) would be
preferred.
When pasture becomes extremely short, purchase of hay or a replacement feed for the
pasture must be considered as well as selling of stock. Remember that most grass hay has
only 50 to 65% the energy content of grain so that one pound of grain can replace 1.5 to
2.0 pounds of hay. A pound of grain will only replace 1.2 to 1.4 pounds of alfalfa hay. It is necessary to start cows on grain slowly and feed so that all cows have opportunity for their share of the feed. It is possible to feed up to 80% grain in a maintenance diet for British bred cows, but such high levels should not be considered for Brahman cattle. All cattle need some forage in the diet to minimize digestive problems.
In the absence of sufficient nutrients, particularly energy, cows lose considerable weight. When such weight losses occur, milk production decreases and reproductive activity may cease. The end result is light-weight calves and unbred cows. To prevent such undesirable effects, cows either must be provided sufficient nutrients to avoid weight losses and maintain production requirements or they must be relieved totally or partially from body stresses.
For more information related to drought management consult this web site; http://texashelp.tamu.edu/004-natural/droughts.php
