Nutrition

Managing the Winter “Mud Tax” in Cow-Calf Herds

– Dr. Haley Linder, Assistant Professor of Ruminant Nutrition, OSU Extension

Mud’s more than an inconvenience, it’s costly!

If there is one universal truth about Ohio winters, it’s that they are rarely just cold. They are wet, unpredictable, and dominated by freeze–thaw cycles that turn lots and pastures inevitably muddy. While we often complain about mud because it pulls boots off and makes chores miserable, we sometimes overlook the economic toll it takes on the cow herd. Mud isn’t just an annoyance; it is an energy thief.

The “Mud Tax” on Cattle Energy Efficiency
Research done at the OSU Eastern Agricultural Research Station in Caldwell showed that cows housed in muddy, unbedded pens had an increased energy demand of Continue reading Managing the Winter “Mud Tax” in Cow-Calf Herds →

Utilizing Body Condition Scoring to Help Manage Nutrition

– Dean Kreager, Licking County Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator (originally published in Ohio Farmer on-line)

Monitoring BCS is a great tool for managing nutrition.

Spring calving season may seem a long way off but getting cows in the proper condition needs to start early. Changing the body condition score (BCS) on a cow takes time and entering calving season too thin can have impacts that last well into the next year. Monitoring BCS is a great tool to guide nutrition and prepare cows for calving and breeding.

As many producers transition from grazing to feeding stored forages, they are faced with two major challenges again this year. First is the amount and quality of stored forage and second is the condition of the cow herd heading into winter. Drought conditions, for the second year in a row, caused many pastures and forage crops to suffer. With that, the cow herd is likely stressed and heading into winter with a little Continue reading Utilizing Body Condition Scoring to Help Manage Nutrition →

Adding weight to market cows may add value

– Bill Halfman, University of Wisconsin Extension State Beef Outreach Specialist

There may be an opportunity to increase revenue by putting condition on thin market cows.

Sales of market (cull) cows make up approximately 20 percent of the gross revenue of beef cow calf operations.  Not all market cows are only destined to become ground beef. Prices for market cows reflect the amount and value of retail product a cow is estimated to yield. Those with a body condition score (BCS) of upper 5 or higher will have some whole muscle cuts removed as they are able to meet quality demands for use in retail and restaurant markets. Research has shown that market cows with a BCS 6 maximize the total sellable product.

Several criteria should be considered when deciding if adding weight and condition to market cows makes sense. These criteria include . . .

Continue reading Adding weight to market cows may add value

Same horse, different road

– Garth Ruff, Beef Cattle and Livestock Marketing Field Specialist, OSU Extension (originally published in The Ohio Cattleman)

Have you had your forages tested?

This time last year we were in the middle of severe drought and preparing a series of fall programs to address how to best handle forage shortages. In 2025, we are now back into drought and planning programs on how to deal with poor hay quality as a result of the exceptionally wet spring and early summer.

In response to the extremely wet start of the growing season myself and a couple of colleagues launched a forage testing eBarns project in collaboration with the Department of Animal Sciences. Hay samples were due to county Extension offices by the end of July for collection, drying, and Near Infrared Spectrometry analysis. While I expected the test results to be below average, I did not expect them to be as poor quality as they were.

180 hay and haylage samples were collected across 29 counties. The results (see table below created by Ted Wiseman, OSU Extension Perry County) show that many 2025 first hay crops will not meet the nutritional needs of Continue reading Same horse, different road →

To Feed or Not to Feed, Soybeans that Is

– Dr.Jeff Lehmkuhler, Extension Professor, University of Kentucky

The current low grain commodity prices have sparked several questions regarding feeding soybeans to beef cattle. There are several factors to consider when deciding whether to feed or sell beans to the elevator. The following will touch on a few of these items to consider when making that decision.

Let’s first review the nutrient content of soybeans on a dry matter basis. In general, soybeans are used as a protein supplement as they contain approximately 40% crude protein. Soybeans also contain a significant amount of oil, near 20%, which makes them an energy supplement as well. Soybeans contain an inverted calcium to phosphorus ration which may require Continue reading To Feed or Not to Feed, Soybeans that Is →

Fall Beef Management in Ohio: Forage Challenges and Herd Prep

– Ted Wiseman, OSU Extension, Perry County (originally published in Ohio Farmer on-line)

Does the quality of your forage suggest supplementation is warranted?

As fall deepens across Ohio, cattle producers are entering an important time of year for the beef herd and forage management. With winter on its way, the decisions made now will shape herd health, feed efficiency, and economic outcomes through the cold months. This year, however, brings added complexity: forage quality is down significantly, especially in first cutting hay, which suffered from delayed harvests and excessive rainfall in many regions.

The Ohio State Beef Team recently evaluated 180 forage samples from across the state and found that overall forage quality was notably poor. Many of the samples, especially first cutting hay, showed significantly reduced protein and energy levels. This decline is largely attributed to delayed harvests caused by wet spring conditions, which led to overly mature forage with diminished nutritional value. As a result, producers must Continue reading Fall Beef Management in Ohio: Forage Challenges and Herd Prep →

Stretching Hay Supplies: Feeding Co-Products to Beef Cows This Winter

– Dr. Haley Linder, Assistant Professor of Ruminant Nutrition, OSU Extension

DDGs are a co-product high in both protein and energy.

A cold, wet spring followed by a dry summer has reduced hay yields across Ohio. Heading into winter, many producers now face the challenge of stretching limited hay supplies to maintain cow condition. Fortunately, Ohio beef producers have several options for supplementing or partially replacing hay with feed co-products.

What Are Co-Products?
Co-products are feed ingredients that remain after grains, oilseeds, or other crops are processed for another primary product such as ethanol, corn syrup, soybean oil, or flour.

These feeds are excellent options for beef cattle because they provide highly digestible energy and protein at a cost-effective price. Most co-products are Continue reading Stretching Hay Supplies: Feeding Co-Products to Beef Cows This Winter →

Winter Feed Planning Starts with a Probe

– Ted Wiseman, OSU Extension, Perry County (originally published in Farm and Dairy)

Is this the most valuable tool you’ll use this year?

Ohio cattle producers are facing another challenging year as extreme weather continues to impact forage quality. Following a record drought in 2024, the 2025 growing season brought heavy spring rains and scattered summer storms, complicating hay harvest and drying. According to forage analysis conducted by Ohio State University Extension, many hay samples collected from across the state show nutrient levels well below the requirements for beef cattle, particularly during late gestation and lactation.

Spring-calving cows require approximately 49% Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) three months before calving, increasing to 60% TDN at peak milk production. However, OSU Extension data shows that grass hay ranged from 25.3% to Continue reading Winter Feed Planning Starts with a Probe →

Monitoring Fecal Scores in Feedlot Cattle to Track Rumen Health

– Dr. Haley Linder, Assistant Professor of Ruminant Nutrition, OSU Extension

“pudding-like” consistency, an indication of good digestion and balanced rumen function.

Rumen acidosis remains one of the most common digestive challenges in feedlot cattle, especially during the transition to high-concentrate diets. While acidosis is often thought of in terms of rumen pH, producers and feeders don’t have a simple way to measure rumen conditions on a day-to-day basis. One practical and low-cost monitoring tool is fecal scoring.

Why Fecal Scoring Matters
The consistency and appearance of manure reflect what is happening in the rumen. When cattle experience subacute or acute acidosis, feed particles may pass through the rumen with minimal digestion. This increases fermentation in the hindgut, which can then alter manure texture and composition. By monitoring the pen floor, managers can gain Continue reading Monitoring Fecal Scores in Feedlot Cattle to Track Rumen Health →

Forage quality . . . what’s better than snowballs?

– Stan Smith, PA, Fairfield County OSU Extension

Much of Ohio’s 2025 first cutting hay was beyond optimum maturity when it was harvested. Lab analysis indicates little first cutting has adequate quality to meet the nutritional needs of beef cows in lactation or even gestation.

As we recently began our 30th year of publishing the Ohio BEEF Cattle letter I took a look at the hot topics that were up for discussion in 1996. Looking back it’s interesting to note we were concerned with how best we could manage feeding poor quality hay resulting from a very wet spring of ‘96, alternatives for feeding cows when faced with a shortage of high-quality feed, and marketing calves from a declining U.S. cow herd. Sound familiar?

While it may feel like déjà vu all over again, today let’s only consider the feed management concerns we’re dealing with and leave calf marketing for another time. If there was any question regarding this year’s hay and forage quality, I hope you agree they were laid to rest a couple weeks ago when the results of 180 forage samples collected by OSU Extension throughout Ohio were released. To recap, only one of all the 180 samples tested will support a 1200 pound lactating beef cow and only a few will Continue reading Forage quality . . . what’s better than snowballs? →