Finally, the temperatures outside are feeling more like fall! With these more comfortable temperatures, now is a perfect time to make sure your feeding program is on target to capitalize on the favorable milk prices. This year’s weather and higher costs and limited availability of some feeds may dictate changes in your feeding program.

By now, you probably have had your forages tested. With the limited amount of forages available this year, it is critical that the best quality forages be allocated to the milking herd. As a result, heifers and dry cows may be fed different forages this year, in an attempt to extend the forage supply. With these changes in forages being fed and lower body condition on cows, it is critical that current forage analysis results are used to balance rations for not only the milking herd but also dry cows and heifers. Often times we forget to use the results from these forage analyses to balance rations. This step is critical if we want to feed rations that are economical, allow cattle to grow or milk well, regain body condition, and make sure they are healthy. Nutrition programs do have a direct impact on the health of cattle as well as how well cows milk and heifers grow. Work with your nutritionist to get rations for all groups of cattle on your farm that you feel comfortable feeding and that fit your current forage supply and feeding system.

With the higher prices of corn and soybeans, the prices of all commodities are higher. With these higher feed costs, nutritionists can substitute various commodities for both corn and soybean meal. As long as these rations are balanced, substitutions can work exceptionally well at maintaining production or growth of heifers and have the advantage of decreasing feed costs. Each feed mill has a different array of commodities or byproducts they can use to substitute for part of the corn or soybean meal in rations. Comparisons of grain mixes between feed mills are not as straight forward as differences in price. The reason a particular grain mix may be cheaper is that it contains less energy, minerals and vitamins, or additives than a competitive company. Remember that energy content is not measured in a laboratory and is calculated using a mathematical equation. Unfortunately, feed companies do not use a standard value for energy content of various commodities we feed cattle. These differences in energy and nutrient content may help partially explain the differences seen in milk production and body condition of cows when grain mixes from different feed companies are fed.

With the cooler fall temperatures, cows generally eat more in the late fall and winter than during the summer months. As the manager of your cow’s feeding program, it is imperative that you provide cows with every opportunity to consume more feed. Remember that more feed consumed by early lactation cows equals more milk in the bulk tank! Providing adequate feedbunk space, adequate well-bedded freestalls, and plenty of fresh clean water are the starting point in a well-managed feeding program. Minimizing competition for bunk space or freestall (or space to lie down) space is critical in early lactation and, even more imperative, just before calving. Cows just before calving are stressed by the onset of calving and the hormonal changes that are occurring. Minimizing the stresses you, the manager, have control over, can pay dividends with healthier cows just after calving.

Take a few minutes to make sure your feeding program is on target to capitalize on the favorable milk prices, keep your feed costs in line, and make the best of the forages you were able to harvest or purchase this year.