What Are the Essential Nutrients for Livestock Growth? We have answers. Raising healthy, productive livestock starts with understanding their basic nutritional needs. Just like people, animals require a balanced diet to grow strong and stay healthy. The right mix of essential nutrients provides the foundation for everything from muscle development to immune function. Providing this balance through high-quality feed is the best investment you can make in your herd.

Protein is the primary building block for muscle, tissue, and bone. Young, growing animals need a diet rich in protein to support their rapid development. Energy, which comes from carbohydrates and fats, fuels their daily activities and helps them maintain a healthy weight. Without enough energy, an animal will start breaking down its own muscle tissue, which slows growth.

Vitamins and minerals are just as crucial. These micronutrients support countless functions, including bone formation, immune response, and reproductive health. Deficiencies in key minerals like calcium or phosphorus can lead to serious health problems and poor growth rates. A complete feed is carefully formulated to provide these essential components in the correct ratios.

At Kissimmee Valley Feed, we offer superior feeds from trusted brands like Kalmbach, Nutrena and Purina. These companies invest heavily in research to create diets that meet the specific needs of different livestock at every life stage. Their products ensure your animals get the precise nutrition they require for optimal growth and performance.

Stop by our store today. Our team can help you navigate our selection and choose the perfect feed to help your livestock thrive.

Why Do Dairy Cows Look Thinner Than Beef Cattle? Have you ever driven past a pasture and noticed how “skinny” some cows look compared to others? If you see ribs or hip bones, you might worry the animal is underfed. However, this is usually just the difference between a dairy cow and a beef cow. They are bred for completely different purposes, and their bodies reflect that job.

Beef cattle, like Angus or Hereford, are built for meat production. Their bodies naturally store energy as muscle and fat. This gives them a blocky, rounded, and heavy appearance. When a beef cow eats, she uses that fuel to build a sturdy frame.

Dairy cattle, like Holsteins or Jerseys, are the marathon runners of the bovine world. Their job is to produce milk. A high-producing dairy cow directs almost all her energy into making milk rather than storing body fat. Because of this, she naturally looks angular and lean. Seeing her ribs doesn’t mean she is starving; it often means she is working hard and producing a lot of milk.

Regardless of the breed, proper nutrition is the key to health. A dairy cow needs a high-energy diet to sustain her milk production without losing too much weight. A beef cow needs balanced nutrition to build quality muscle.

At Kissimmee Valley Feed, we understand these unique needs. We carry specialized feeds for every type of cattle, including premium options from Kalmbach Feeds and Purina. Whether you are raising a prize steer or a family milk cow, we have the right fuel for them. Visit us today to find the perfect feed plan for your herd.

Your Keys to Fall Calving: Cattle condition and comfort are your keys to fall calving.

Spring calving season may be more common, but if you’re a fall calving operation, you know the warmer, dryer weather conditions and the seasonal high calf prices that tend to hit at weaning can yield greater results.

Yet, fall calving doesn’t come without its challenges. Preparation now means mitigating those challenges – including high temperatures and unpredictable forages – and getting calves started quicker to realize optimal cost-efficient growth.

Follow these steps this summer to gain more value from your herd in the fall:

 Set cows up for success

 It can be difficult to keep cattle in ideal body condition for the fall calving season. Pastures are transitioning from quality grasses with active growth to more mature grasses going dormant, causing energy and protein quality to decline.

With a target body condition score of six at calving, taking scores 60-90 days before calving begins allows time to change the nutrition plan if needed. Purina® RangeLand® protein supplement tubs and Purina® Accuration® Hi-Fat blocks are good options that provide extra protein and energy; they also support digestion and utilization of low-quality forage.

Remember, heifers and first-calf cows haven’t yet reached maturity during gestation. They are still growing while raising a calf, making their energy requirements higher than mature cows. Separate your herd to provide heifers and first-calf cows with a higher energy diet to be at peak performance during calving.

Fight menacing flies

Fly season may start in spring, but a strong fly control program is just as critical during fall calving season.

Flies can be a significant detriment to cattle health and performance. Horn flies carry Staphylococcus aureus, a major cause of mastitis. They can also cause damage to the udder and teats, lowering milk production.

To limit horn flies, start feeding Purina® Wind and Rain® Fly Control mineral in the spring, 30 days before flies emerge, when the daily temps average 65°F and keep feeding until 30 days after the first frost in the fall.

When it isn’t fly season, provide your herd a balanced mineral year-round using Purina® Wind and Rain® mineral. A quality mineral optimizes cows’ milk production and supports fertility and fetal development – all vital in the winter months when your cows are raising calves and getting rebred for the next season.

Combat soaring temperatures

 Higher temperatures during fall calving make water supply a top concern. During the hottest days of the year, cattle typically drink two gallons of water per 100 pounds of body weight. Adequate, clean, accessible water is a must. Allowing for two or more inches of linear space per head has been shown to decrease heat stress in cattle.

As calves start drinking water, it’s essential for water sources to be at an appropriate height. In addition, to have enough water flow. Cows typically drink first, with calves following. If the sides of the waterer are too high or the water doesn’t refill quickly, calves may not have access to water that is needed to prevent dehydration and keep their bodies cool.

Shade or shelter is another vital consideration for hot days. Trees, buildings or portable structures are all adequate sources of protection from the sun’s intense heat. Placing water tanks in shaded areas also ensures cool water for the herd.

Ready for reproduction

 You can’t be prepared for all surprises that can occur during the fall calving season. Still, making sure your herd is in peak condition, providing access to necessities, and having essential supplies on hand can help ensure calves hit the ground running.

Visit Kissimmee Valley Feed to learn Your Keys to Fall Calving. Check out our cattle feeds here.

Source: Wes Hornback, Cattle Technical Specialist, Purina Mills