When pasture becomes extremely short , purchase of hay or replacement feed must be considered as well as selling stock. It is necessary to start cows on grain slowly and feed so that all cows get their share. You can feed up to 80 percent grain in a maintenance diet for British bred cows, but such high levels should not be considered for Brahman cattle. All cattle need some forage in the diet to minimize digestive problems. Lactation represents the greatest nutrient demand for cows over a yearlong production cycle.
Lactation increases demand for energy, protein and other nutrients.
A simple ways to reduce nutrient requirements is to wean the calf. Early weaned calves can achieve adequate rates of growth if given access to a high quality ration. Dry cows will eat less forage and usually travel further distances to forage than lactating cows. By removing lactation, acceptable pregnancy rates and calving season length can usually be maintained. Unavailability of feeds or unusually high cost often prohibits feeding lactating cows the nutrients necessary for lactation and rebreeding.