Calving and Postpartum Nutrition for a Successful Breeding Season

As calving season progresses, many of us look forward to green spring pastures and summer turnout for the cow herd. However, our cows still have several challenges ahead: colostrum production, initiation of lactation, and returning to estrus prior to the start of breeding season. Closer nutritional management during these periods may help to set your herd up early for a successful breeding season. Colostrum production begins as early as five weeks prior to calving, and peaks just before birth. The amount and quality of colostrum produced is largely influenced by late gestation nutrition. Near calving it can be difficult to achieve adequate nutrient intake due to the physical constraints that the growing fetus imposes on the rumen, reducing capacity for feed intake. Increasing energy and protein density of the diet will support maintenance functions and fetal growth and colostrum production. Failure to meet nutrient requirements may be at the expense of the cows’ body condition. Cows i