Beef producers can find out what happens when extreme cold and forages meet, such as with January’s freezing temperatures.
“Peak lactation is in full swing as these calves require more volume to deal with high growth demand as well as to offset the effects of the cold mornings,” shared a UF/IFAS blog article. The article looked at extreme cold and forages for beef producers. It maintained that “Tropical forages such as Bahiagrass and Limpograss are not a great source of nutrition after a freeze. These plants are perennial but have slowed or stopped growing since last fall. New shoots will emerge in a few weeks. If you are not feeding hay at this point, you take a chance of affecting the body condition of both momma cows and babies.” See how forages are affected by freezing temperatures.
Extreme Cold and Forages
The blog article shared that extreme cold and forages do not mix. The effects affect the quality of the forage in the following ways:
- “Cold and plant proteins – Crude protein declines rapidly as plant cells die and nitrogen is lost from leaf tissue. Nitrogen goes back to the atmosphere in gas form.
- Digestibility – Plant material will be less digestible due to increased fiber concentration and lignification (mature plant tissue becomes woody and undigestible) of dead material.
- Running out of fuel – Energy value drops as soluble carbohydrates are used up or lost.
- Palatability decreases – Plant texture and flavor changes, leading to lower voluntary intake by cattle.”
See our next blog on what beef producers can do about the loss in forage quality during this critical time for calves.
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