Nutrition is a necessary expense that all cattle producers handle to keep their cattle in optimal condition. Forage can be the cheapest and most efficient way to feed cattle, but they must have well-functioning rumen microbes to utilize feedstuffs fully.
“Rumen microbes allow cattle to digest forage by fermenting it in the rumen to create volatile fatty acids, which are then converted into energy,” says Ted Perry, cattle nutritionist with Purina Animal Nutrition.
Additionally, rumen microbes are an excellent protein source, containing more than 50% protein. As rumen microbes multiply inside the rumen, they increase fermentation and digest more forage, which creates additional available protein and energy.
Forage alone typically can’t sustain cattle and feed rumen microbes, so producers need to provide some supplementation, the company says.
Performance Matters
Maintaining the rumen microbes with a balanced diet helps keep cows in good body condition.
“Body condition drives reproduction because if cows don’t have the proper body condition, they often won’t cycle, settle or breed,” says Perry. “When cows stay in optimal body condition, they can remain healthier and productive for longer.”
If the microbes aren’t properly fed, they can’t do their job of fermenting feed, which may result in lower forage intake and potentially impact cow performance.
“You can supplement cows without forage or with very limited forage, but it’s often a costly way to maintain them and this feeding strategy should only be utilized in drought situations with low forage availability,” says Perry.
Variety Is Key
The rumen is a complex environment home to billions of different microbes that have a variety of functions in the fermentation process.
“Some microbes only digest complex carbohydrates, like forage,” says Perry. “On the other hand, some microbes only digest simple sugars and starches, like grain.”
What you feed your cows helps determine which type of microbes grow. An all-forage diet will primarily develop the forage-digesting microbes. However, if you feed a mixed diet of forage and supplements, a variety of microbe types can thrive and grow.
“Having a diversity of rumen microbes allows for more feedstuffs to be fully utilized and help optimize cattle performance,” says Perry.
Feed The Rumen
Most producers feed some hay throughout the winter. It is important to ensure the rumen microbes are fed appropriately during this time with supplementation of protein, fat and mineral.
“Rumen microbes require phosphorus to function correctly and increase their fermentation,” says Perry.
It doesn’t matter how much supplemental protein and energy producers offer; if the diet is low on minerals or they’re not feeding mineral at all, then rumen microbes may not perform at a level to optimize those resources.
“After establishing mineral consumption, determine what supplementation type makes sense for your herd to provide enough energy to rumen microbes,” says Perry. “Tubs, blocks or liquid supplements are free-choice options that may help, depending on your environment.”
These supplements contain a balance of protein and energy sources designed to feed rumen microbes to help maximize forage utilization. Purina RangeLand protein tubs and Purina Accuration (available in all three forms) are great options to help you optimize your forages by feeding the rumen microbes.
“When hand-feeding a supplement like cubes or a grain mix, it is crucial to stay consistent with the amount of nutrition you provide daily to help keep the rumen microbes functioning,” says Perry. “If you feed one day and nothing the next, it can negatively impact the rumen because the microbes are bouncing from digesting a lot of starch to forage and back and forth.”
Keeping the feeding schedule as consistent as possible will help maintain a healthy balance of microbes and support digestion.
“By caring for rumen microbes, you’re helping ensure the herd stays in optimal health and supporting productivity,” says Perry.
