Know your cattle's nutritional needs

The first step in cattle feeding is to know what nutrition they need. Different cattle have different needs depending on their age, stage of production, and type of production (beef or dairy cattle). For example, lactating cows need more energy and protein than dry cows, and heifers need more energy and protein than mature cows to support their growth. Cattle also need minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and sodium to maintain their health and prevent diseases such as milk fever or grass tetany.

To determine cattle's nutritional needs, you can refer to veteran farmers’ experience, use tables or software that provide nutrient requirements for different classes of cattle, or consult veterinarians or nutritionists for advice.