Extending Livestock Feed Supplies: Minimum Roughage & Grain Replacement Guidelines
1. Minimum Daily Roughage Requirements
To maintain rumination and prevent digestive disorders, livestock must receive minimum amounts of roughage—even when feed supplies are limited. Any roughage, regardless of quality, can support rumen function.
Livestock Type |
Air-Dry Roughage (kg/day) |
Air-Dry Roughage (lb/day) |
Dairy Cows – Milking |
5.5–7.0 |
12–15 |
Beef Cows / Dry Dairy Cows |
2.0–2.5 |
4–6 |
Yearlings & Calves |
1.5 |
3–5 |
Feedlot Cattle |
1.5 |
3 |
2. Dry Cows, Heifers & Beef Cows (Limited Roughage Feeding)
Breeding Stock
- Can be maintained on 2–2.5 kg (4–6 lb) roughage per day.
- Grain supplement: 3–4.5 kg (6–10 lb), with poorer-conditioned cows receiving more.
Dry Dairy Cows
- Increase grain to 4.5 kg (10 lb) per day starting one month before calving.
Beef Cows
- Increase grain in the final two months of gestation and continue after calving to support calf health, milk production, and rebreeding.
Yearling & Older Heifers
- Feed 2.5 kg (5 lb) of good roughage plus an equal or greater amount of grain.
If Using Poor-Quality Roughage (e.g., Straw)
- Add protein supplements in late gestation.
- Supplement Vitamins A, D, and E when feeding low-quality roughage.
- Ensure adequate mineral supplementation.
Lactating Beef Cows
- Feed 6–7 kg (14–16 lb) of straw plus 4.5–7 kg (10–15 lb) of grain with proper supplements.
3. Calves
- Preserve limited good-quality roughage for calves up to 8 months of age.
- Calves have limited ability to digest coarse fiber; quality is critical.
- After weaning:
- Roughage can be ground poor-quality feed or straw.
- Diet should include 50–60% grain.
- Expected gain: 0.7–1.0 kg (1.5–2.0 lb) per day with proper protein, vitamin, and mineral supplements.
4. Finishing Beef Cattle (Low-Roughage / All-Grain Programs)
University of Manitoba trials demonstrated:
Performance Outcomes
- With hay: 1.10 kg/day (2.43 lb/day) gain
- All-grain: 1.07 kg/day (2.36 lb/day) gain
- Grain-fed steers showed 6% higher feed efficiency.
Key Conclusions
- Steers can adapt to all-grain rations without digestive issues if transitioned gradually over 28 days.
- All-grain diets can offer better economic efficiency, especially when hay is expensive.
Management Recommendations for All-Grain Feeding
- Use a minimum one‑month adaptation period.
- Grain should be rolled or coarsely ground.
- Provide full mineral and salt supplementation.
- Supply 30,000 IU Vitamin A per animal daily.
- Optional roughage for confidence: 1–1.5 kg (2–3 lb) of low-quality roughage.
Feeding Wheat
- Safe if wheat is ≤ one‑third of grain mixture by weight.
Feeder Calves
- More prone to digestive issues; include 1–1.5 kg (2–3 lb) of roughage in all-grain programs.