Each producer attaches a different price to convenience and labor. One feed may be more expensive per unit of nutrient compared to another, and a producer might consider that feed because it fits that producer's feeding program and labor restrictions. Balancing Rations for the Beef Cow Ingredients for rations fed to the beef cow herd are seldom weighed and mixed as a complete ration. Forages often are grazed or fed to the cow herd to appetite, with the exception of protein and energy supplements or alfalfa hay if it is used as the protein source. Consequently, it is difficult to perfectly balance the cow's ration.
Experienced producers can feed the beef herd by visually watching for changes in body condition.
If cows begin to lose body condition, the quality of forage or forage combination is not adequate to meet their nutrient requirements, or nutrients are not properly balanced to ensure proper digestion and utilization. For example, even though low protein forages may be adequate in quantity, cow performance will be reduced because of low protein and fiber digestibility. When this happens, better quality feeds need to be fed. Monitoring body condition can be used as a risk management tool against reduced reproductive rate and overfeeding. If cows are fat, feed resources are not being economically used and probably are being overfed.