Watch the spring nutrient gap

Fresh green grass is a welcome sight come spring. However, early spring grass with limited growth or volume should be approached with caution when it’s used as the sole source of nutrition for recently calved cows. With limited grass volume, cows can expend more protein and energy than they are taking in and lose body condition. “Cows are also coming out of gestation and into their time of highest nutritional requirement,” says Lee Dickerson, Ph.D. and senior cattle consultant with Purina