BEEF COW MANAGEMENT - PREBREEDING: Nutrition and Condition Score

The condition of cows in the run-up to the breeding season is of crucial importance to ensure success during the breeding season. During this time (between calving and the breeding season) the following happens:

• cows' milk production increases
• cows' reserves are tapped
• cows lose mass and condition (especially if the feeding conditions and/or supplementation are not as desired) 

Cows easily lose one condition point during this time. If they calved in an ideal condition score of 3.5, it can drop to 2.5 (and even less under difficult conditions). It is crucial to get their condition back to a minimum of 3 and preferably 3.5 by the time the breeding season begins.

If cows' condition falls below 2.5, they will have to receive special attention in terms of their nutrition. Better grazing and/or supplementary feeding such as hay or silage, together with a production lick can help. Although this extra nutrition is not cheap, it is necessary to ensure a good conception in the breeding season to come.

If this is not done, the following could happen:

• cows become pregnant later rather than earlier in the breeding season
• cows may not even get pregnant at all during the breeding season
• extended intercalving period 
• weaning mass of calves reduced (a combination of lower milk production and calves being born late in the next calving season)

This emphasizes once again the importance that cows must be in good condition when calving. It is easier and cheaper to maintain or improve cows' condition from weaning to calving, than to have to take drastic steps to correct their condition at this late stage! 

In figure 1, the effect of condition score at the start of the breeding season on conception can be seen:

Figure 1: The relationship between condition score with breeding and conception

   
Figure 2 is an example of a cow in an acceptable condition at the start of the breeding season which should conceive early, while the cow in figure 3's condition is not as desired and will only become pregnant later in the breeding season.

Figure 2: Condition ready for breeding season       

Figure 3: Condition not as desired for breeding  
      
The ideal is that at least 60% of the cows become pregnant in the first cycle (21 days), 25% in the second cycle, 10% in the third cycle, with no more than 5% in the fourth cycle or not pregnant. 
Consult a nutritionist about the best options for the specific circumstances if cows' body condition score needs to be improved.