Managing Nutritional Challenges to Reproduction
Nutritional challenges placed upon the lactating cow can be extreme in Arizona. One challenge placed upon the cow is the extra nutritional requirements caused by lactation. Figure 1 illustrates the weight loss which usually occurs in a lactating cow during the first 45 to 60 days of lactation. At the period of time at which the cow has lost the most weight, producers are trying to rebreed her in order to maintain a yearly calving interval. It is usually not possible to entirely prevent weight loss during early lactation with range cattle. A better strategy is to plan ahead to allow for weight loss by building or maintaining body fat stores before calving.
Revised 05/2016. Originally published 2000.
az1166-2015
Keywords:
- cattle
- nutrition
- reproduction
Publication Date:
May 2015
az1166-2015
Pages:
5 pp.