After Wildfire - Beef Cattle Management

MSU photo

Authors: John Paterson, Montana State University; Greg Lardy, North Dakota State University; Rick Funston, Montana State University;Ron Carlstrom, Montana State University;Editor - James E. Knight, Montana State University

Effects on Range Plants and Management Fire is like overuse all at once Reduce livestock numbers Concentrate animals into larger herd Graze certain plant species Lease land Buy feed

Questions to Ask Yourself

Animals losing weight Body condition Supplements Culling options Feed options and alternatives

Several Options to Consider

Do nothing Reduce cow herd Wean calves Lease grazing land Purchase feedstuffs Move herd Limit grain feeding Sell livestock

Water Consideration

Water requirements may double

Consider portable water options

Supplement Cattle on Affected Pastures and Ranges Weed-free hay Vitamin A,

phosphorous protein Reduce stocking

rates

When Pasture is Spare and Poor

Range cubes (min. 20% crude protein) Mixtures of grain and cottonseed or

soybean meal (3 to 5 lbs/cow daily)

When Pasture Becomes Extremely Short Consider purchasing hay Remember that most

grass hay has only 50% to 65% of the energy content of grain.

So, one pound of grain can replace 1.5 - 2.0 pounds of hay.

Minerals – general recommendations

Same as normal conditions Phosphorus = critical 12% calcium 5 % magnesium 0.4 % zinc 0.2 % copper

Vitamin A

May be a problem Vitamin A and D booster 30 days prior to

calving, if NOT previously supplemented.

Protein

Breeding season Dry cows Lactating cows

Energy

General rule of thumb: up to 0.2 percent of body weight of supplemental grain

Consider costs

Drylot Feeding

Allow pastures rest period

Reducing Nutrient Requirements

Lactation - greatest demand for cows

Wean the calf Cut nutrient

requirements (1/3 to 1/2)

Wean only portion of herd

Feeding Management Options

Available feeds Reduce feed waste Highest quality feeds to animals w/ highest

nutrient requirements Calving Substituting grains Ammoniating crop residues

Ammoniated Straw

60 lbs. anhydrous ammonia per ton of straw

Potential Problems

Water and salt Urea-containing supplement Nitrate test hay Prussic acid (cyanide poisoning) Poisonous plants Protein supplements Rumen impaction Hardware disease