A lot of people change their eating habits with the seasons. Nothing is more satisfying on a cold winter day than a hot bowl of soup, but for most that doesn’t sound the least bit appetizing when the temperatures soar to 90-degrees and hotter, especially when you add in the humidity. We might prefer something lighter like a salad. Your show livestock are no different. Their appetites tend to decrease as the temperatures rise and you might find yourselves wondering why they go off feed so often in the summer months.
Kevin Glaubius, Director of Nutrition for BioZyme® Inc., suggests five reasons why show animals might go off feed in the hotter months and provides some tips for young feeders to make sure their animals stay on feed through summer’s heat.
No one has time for show animals that go off feed, so take a proactive approach to keep your livestock eating all summer long. Animals are very routine-oriented, so set a feeding schedule and stick to it.
One of the best ways to make sure your livestock keep eating is to keep the digestive tract healthy, and a great way to do that is to include Amaferm® in your animals’ diets. Amaferm®️ is a prebiotic designed to enhance digestibility by amplifying the nutrient supply for maximum performance. It is research-proven to increase intake, digestion and absorption. All BioZyme® products including those in the Sure Champ® and Vita Charge® lines contain Amaferm, to help keep your animals eating.
Specific products that contain Amaferm that are designed to help drive your animals’ appetite during heat stress situations include Sure Champ Extreme with Climate Control and Vita Charge Climate Control Gel. The Amaferm helps increase intake and digestibility, driving consumption. With the increased efficiency in digestibility, the animal is using less energy to digest food, creating less internal heat. The Climate Control products also contain a plant extract specifically designed to maintain circulation, and promote water intake, therefore maintaining the body’s core temperature. They also contain garlic, to deter insects.
“Being aware of the factors that contribute to animals going off feed and including Amaferm can pay big dividends in the show ring,” Glaubius said.
Though we can’t control the seasons, length of day or the temperatures, we can do our best to mimic the consistency of them. Feed your animals at a consistent time each day, both morning and night. And, if that means feeding them in a darkened, cool barn with fans, then do it. Keeping your animals cool is important to maintaining their appetite throughout the summer.
The same goes for when you are traveling. Make sure to keep to their normal schedule as much as possible. Keep their feeding times consistent and keep their feed pans the same as they are at home. If they are accustomed to drinking from a tank or another water source other than a bucket, start bucket-watering them prior to going to the show, as water intake is vital to good health. Water intake is also highly correlated to feed intake.
When you do make feed changes, make them gradually. Yes, feed can change the appearance of an animal over time, but drastic changes too quickly can also lead to decreased appetites that can be detrimental to your feeding program.
Control flies. Be sure to use a fly spray around your barn and on your animals to keep them comfortable and to keep them eating.
Management and nutrition are the keys to keeping our show animals eating during the summer, right on up to the backdrop. Keep your show animals cool, hydrated, on a routine and give them the Amaferm advantage, and you’ll find them eating even on those days you’re not even hungry.
Infection: If you notice your cattle are not eating, they may have a disease or virus. Rotten Feed: Cattle will not eat feed that has gone bad — make sure your feed is fresh daily. Poor Living Conditions: Foul living conditions can cause stress, leading to inappetance.
Control flies. Be sure to use a fly spray around your barn and on your animals to keep them comfortable and to keep them eating.
“Being aware of the factors that contribute to animals going off feed and including Amaferm can pay big dividends in the show ring,” Glaubius said.
One of the best ways to make sure your livestock keep eating is to keep the digestive tract healthy, and a great way to do that is to include Amaferm® in your animals’ diets. Amaferm®️ is a prebiotic designed to enhance digestibility by amplifying the nutrient supply for maximum performance. It is research-proven to increase intake, digestion and absorption. All BioZyme® products including those in the Sure Champ® and Vita Charge® lines contain Amaferm, to help keep your animals eating.
When you do make feed changes, make them gradually. Yes, feed can change the appearance of an animal over time, but drastic changes too quickly can also lead to decreased appetites that can be detrimental to your feeding program.
The same goes for when you are traveling. Make sure to keep to their normal schedule as much as possible. Keep their feeding times consistent and keep their feed pans the same as they are at home. If they are accustomed to drinking from a tank or another water source other than a bucket, start bucket-watering them prior to going to the show, as water intake is vital to good health. Water intake is also highly correlated to feed intake.
Metritis is an infection of the uterus that, like mastitis, can have certain bacteria present that release toxins into the bloodstream causing severe illness. Also like mastitis, this typically occurs very soon after calving and requires more therapy than antibiotics alone.
In nature, cattle and other grazing species exist at the bottom of the food chain. From a survival standpoint, they are wired to try to appear healthy and fit until they simply cannot fake it anymore. As a prey species, if cattle appear weak, they become a target for predators. For this reason, owners must be alert to even the most minor signs of illness to initiate treatment early to increase the chance of success.
Metabolic diseases include several conditions where the metabolic processes of the animal become so disturbed that their nervous system and muscles lack the function to enable them to stand. These can include low magnesium (grass or winter tetany), low potassium, low phosphorus, and protein-energy malnutrition. As we move into the winter season, when dormant forage has lower nutritional value and poor digestibility, we often see cattle with protein and energy deficiencies. This condition is particularly prevalent in heifers in spring calving herds because they have the additional demands of still growing themselves and growing a late-term calf. It is critical that sufficient planning goes into winter feeding to maintain the energy and protein needs of all cattle through the harsh months.
Musculoskeletal diseases include conditions of the musculoskeletal or nervous systems which impair the ability to stand. These could include fractures (usually of the spine or upper limbs), calving paralysis where the nerves in the birth canal become compressed when a large calf is delivered, or any other injury where there is direct damage to nerves or compression by nearby swelling.
Most of the causes of cattle not being able to stand fall into what veterinarians refer to as the “5 M’s of Down Cows.” These are categories of disease which help us to develop a list of possible causes and work through each one to determine the cause for each given case. The five m’s are: mastitis, metritis, metabolic, musculoskeletal and mystery. Yes, you read that last one correctly!
Cows Won’t Eat Hay
FAQ
How do you treat a cow that is not eating?
How long can a cow go without eating?
How do I get my cow to eat?
How do you care for a cow?
Make sure fresh feed and water are available and accessible at all times. Place feed and water pans that are shallow enough to allow easy access close to the cow’s head throughout her treatment and recovery. Roll her side to side a few times per day so that she is not always laying on the same hind limb.
What are the ways to stop eating dairy?
Animal milk and its derivatives can be replaced by vegetable milk. Certainly the taste and composition will not be the same and possibly the adaptation will need time. In any case, it is important to follow up to prevent nutritional deficiencies and replace nutrients if necessary.
What happens if a cow stops eating?
When a cow stop eating, it is essential to act quickly. The College of Veterinary Sciences at Oklahoma State University explains that cows are hardwired to show strength at all times. A weak cow is a cow that is vulnerable to predators, which means a cow who is not eating is likely a cow in crisis.
Why is my cow not eating?
Cows that lack adequate feed intake or have digestive challenges are prone to infection and disease. To ensure the wellbeing of your cattle, it’s important to understand why they may not be eating, as well as how to prevent digestion and appetite issues in your cattle. Why Are My Cattle Not Eating?