AN190

Basic Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cows1

Matt Hersom2

Introduction Dry Matter Intake

Meeting the basic nutrient requirements of beef cows is Beef cattle have no requirement for feed intake; however,
a key component of meeting cow herd production and consumption of adequate levels of feedstuffs is imperative
profitability goals for the beef cattle enterprise. Adequate to deliver the required nutrients for adequate production.
nutrition is vital for adequate cow reproduction, cow and Dry matter intake (DMI) is affected by a number of factors
calf health, and growth of all classes of cattle. Nutrient including cow body weight, stage of production, forage
requirements of cattle change throughout the year based quality, supplementation level and type, and environmental
upon stage of the production cycle, age, sex, breed, level factors. Cattle of larger frame size and body weight have
of activity, pest load, and environment. All of the previous greater potential to consume forage and feed compared
factors mentioned have an additive effect on the nutrient to smaller frame or lighter body weight cattle. Likewise,
requirements of cattle. In all cases, specific adjustments lactating cows have greater DMI potential compared to
to the standard nutrient requirements may be warranted. gestating cows. Additionally, thin cows are more likely
Therefore, it is imperative that cattle producers have an to consume greater amounts of feedstuffs compared to
adequate understanding of the basic nutrient requirements well-conditioned cows. Forage intake is generally limited
of the cow herd to make informed and effective nutrition- by forage quality. The greater the forage quality (energy
related decisions. and protein concentrations, digestibility) of the base forage,
the greater the potential for increased DMI by cattle. The
In most production situations, the basis for cow herd estimates of DMI listed in the tables were determined by
nutrient supply is grazed or harvested forage. With prediction equations. These prediction equations assume
the utilization of forage comes the need for seasonal diets that are adequate in all required nutrients. Likewise,
supplementation strategies to compensate for forage quality examination of the tables will show that differences in DMI
deficiencies. Without knowledge of the cow’s basic nutrient occur across mature body weight, cow milking ability, and
requirements, effective and cost effective supplementation stage of production cycle. Table 1 provides some general
practices will be difficult to implement. guidelines for prediction of forage DMI based upon forage
quality and cow production stage.
This publication will discuss the basic nutrients that are
required for production and provide tables indicating
diet concentration and daily intake requirements of key
Water
nutrients for beef cattle. The information contained in this Water is an important, yet overlooked, nutrient required
publication is based upon the recommendations published by cattle. Water is an important component in many body
in the Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle (2000). functions including temperature regulation, growth,

1. This document is AN190, one of a series of the Animal Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date October 2007. Reviewed
January 2017. Visit the EDIS Website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2. Matt Hersom, associate professor, Department of Animal Sciences; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to
individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national
origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county’s UF/IFAS Extension office.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County
Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension.
reproduction, lactation, and many metabolic functions. the lactation period and that during the dry period. About
Water comes from two sources, feedstuffs and ad libitum a 20% difference exists between these two periods. This
consumption. The water requirement is influenced by increase in maintenance energy requirement associated
several factors including pregnancy, lactation, activity, type with lactation is due to the increased metabolic demand
of diet, level of intake, and environmental temperature. upon body tissues, not the product (milk) result of lacta-
Restriction of water intake below requirement will reduce tion. Additionally, the initial energy requirement does not
feed intake, which will lower cattle production. Cattle lose account for any energy expenditure for activity associated
water from the body through a number of routes. Sources with grazing. The difference in maintenance energy require-
of water loss include urine, feces, sweat, and water vapor ments for grazing cattle could be from 10 to 50% depending
from the skin and lungs. Urine production depends upon upon the grazing conditions and forage availability.
activity level, air temperature, water consumption and other
factors. The amount of water loss in the feces depends upon Lactation
the diet. Clean water is especially important for young The energy requirement for lactation is a function of milk
growing cattle, while dirty water can decrease cattle perfor- yield, milk fat %, and milk protein %. The previously men-
mance and be a potential source of disease. Basic total water tioned variables change during the lactation cycle, and thus
intake requirements are indicated in Table 2. the energy requirement of lactation changes accordingly.
Identified differences between and within breeds that affect
Energy milk yield and milk composition also affect the lactation
Energy requirements are expressed in the tables in terms energy requirement. Unlike other energy requirements,
of total digestible nutrients (TDN) and net energy for lactation has a rapid onset of demand for energy that is
maintenance (NEm). Total digestible nutrients are the sum initiated by parturition. The development of mammary
of digestible starch, fiber, protein, and fat in the feedstuffs. tissue occurs pre-partum, but the majority of the lactation
Energy requirements, expressed as TDN, are shown in energy requirement is associated with milk production.
the tables as a percent of the diet dry matter or as pounds
per day. The Net Energy system assigns energy values of Gestation
feeds according to how the energy within a feedstuff can be The energy requirement associated with pregnancy is an
assigned to either maintenance or growth/lactation/preg- underlying energetic demand for 10 out of 12 months
nancy. Likewise the amount of energy needed for main- during the yearly production cycle. Whereas the energy
tenance or growth can be determined independent of the required for gestation is initially very small, just 0.1% of the
dietary composition. The NEm requirement is expressed as energy requirement during the third month postpartum. In
mega calories per pound or mega calories per day. contrast, the gestation energy requirement one month prior
to parturition is approximately 56% of the total energy
Cow energy requirements change throughout the year. The requirement. The post-weaning period is often referred to
requirement for energy by the mature cow is a dynamic as a “maintenance period” for the grazing beef cow. Indeed,
situation because the production cycle is not static. At no gestational requirements at weaning do not equate to the
point in a yearly production cycle does a cow experience greater energetic demand of lactation; however, this is an
only maintenance energy requirements. We may say that “a important energetic supply and demand period. This period
cow is just maintaining herself,” but if she is a productive is utilized for growth of the products of conception.
member of the herd, more than maintenance is occurring
on a daily basis. Maintenance is defined as the amount of Growth
feed energy intake that will result in no net loss or gain of
Growth in the case of the mature cow herd can be
energy from the tissues of the cow’s body. In reality a cow
construed as the recovery of body tissue energy (i.e.
must always be adding or subtracting energy from her body
bodyweight and body condition) not associated with the
tissues. The additive functions to maintenance include;
products of conception. During a small time period after
growth, gestation, and lactation. All ongoing energetic
the cessation of lactation and prior to the accelerated fetal
functions result in the total energy requirement of the cow.
growth, additional energy supplied to the cow can be
utilized for growth of body tissues. This growth is utilized
Maintenance to regain lost bodyweight and body condition score due
Interestingly, not all maintenance is considered equal. There to the mobilization of body tissues during lactation. These
exist two distinct phases of NEm requirements; that during accreted body tissues will most likely be re-utilized at some

Basic Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cows 2

point during the production cycle to support maintenance can maintain a mature cow during certain phases of the
or lactation. cow’s productive cycle.

Protein Lactation
Protein requirements are expressed in the tables in terms Lactation is the most stressful time in the cow production
of crude protein (CP). The protein requirement of cattle cycle. Milk contains a large concentration of protein. The
is shown in the tables as a percent of the diet dry matter source of the protein in milk comes either from dietary
or as pounds per day. Similar to energy, a cow’s protein sources or mobilization of body lean tissue. Mobilization of
requirements change throughout the year. The requirement lean tissue decreases the overall body condition score of the
for protein is dependent upon the age of the cow, stage of cow. Research indicates that maintenance of body condition
production, and level of production. Protein requirements, score from calving to rebreeding is imperative to ensure
like energy, are additive during any point in the cow’s acceptable conception rates. Therefore adequate protein
production cycle. from the diet is an important nutritional consideration.

The CP system, as the name implies, is a crude measure- Gestation

ment of the protein in any feedstuffs. The amount of CP The effect of gestation does not greatly affect the cow’s
in a feedstuff is a calculation determined by the following protein requirement during the first seven months of gesta-
equation: CP = nitrogen concentration x 6.25. The CP tion. The majority of the protein requirement is associated
system is the basic description of protein for cattle. How- with placental development and growth. However, during
ever, protein requirements have been further characterized the last two months of gestation, 2/3 of the fetal growth
to indicate the amount of protein that is actually available occurs. This fetal growth results in a large demand on
for the cow to metabolize. Cattle protein requirements are maternal protein supply. Thus protein requirements leading
met by two basic sources, the feedstuffs that they consume up to parturition are largely associated with fetal growth
and the microorganism that populate the rumen. The and other products of conception. During this period, the
protein component of feedstuffs can be divided into two cow will sacrifice body condition to support fetal growth.
fractions identified as degradable intake protein (DIP) and Additionally, adequate protein status leading up to parturi-
undegradable intake protein (UIP). The DIP fraction is tion is essential for the production of adequate high quality
comprised of the protein fraction of the diet that is digested colostrum to support newborn calf health.
in the rumen, utilized by rumen microorganisms, and
ultimately results in bacterial (microbial) protein; or that Growth
passes through the rumen wall as ammonia and is ulti-
Like energy, protein requirements for mature cattle are
mately metabolized in the liver. In the liver, excess nitrogen
associated with the recovery of lean body tissue that was
is metabolized to urea, which can be recycled back to the
mobilized during the production cycle. Lean tissue mobi-
gastrointestinal tract or excreted through the kidney into
lization supplies a good deal of protein when it is needed.
urine. The UIP fraction is comprised of the protein frac-
However, because of differences in the efficiency of protein
tion of the diet that is not digested in the rumen and that
utilization, a greater amount of dietary crude protein
thereby “escapes or bypasses” the rumen. The UIP protein
above maintenance requirements is needed to replace the
may then be digested and absorbed in the small intestine.
mobilized tissue.
Together, the bacterial protein and UIP fraction comprise
the metabolizable protein available for the cow to meet her
protein requirement. Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and is an
Maintenance important component for bones, teeth, membrane perme-
The general rule of thumb is that forages with a CP concen- ability, muscle contraction, and many other metabolic
tration of 7% or greater are adequate to meet a mature cow’s functions. The calcium requirements listed in the tables
CP requirements. Research has shown that the bacterial are converted to dietary calcium requirements assuming
protein fraction of the diet can provide anywhere from 50% a true absorption of 50%. Absorption of calcium is largely
to all 100% of the cow’s metabolizable protein requirement determined by the balance of requirement and intake.
depending upon the UIP content of the diet. This would Skeletal reserves serve as a large repository of calcium that
imply that forage-based diets of sufficient CP concentration can be utilized to maintain blood concentrations.

Basic Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cows 3

Phosphorus is generally discussed with calcium because the
two minerals function together in bone metabolism. Phos-
phorus is predominantly associated with bones and teeth,
but also functions in cell growth, energy utilization, and
membrane formation. Historically, the calcium:phosphorus
ratio recommendation was 2:1; however, research has
indicated that ratios between 1:1 and 7:1 result in similar
performance assuming that the dietary phosphorus require-
ment was met.

Conclusions
The key concept to remember in feeding the beef cow herd
is that cattle need to be fed to meet nutrient requirements.
Cows do not have requirements for specific feeds; they have
requirements for energy and specific nutrients. Energy
and other nutrients will first be utilized to meet the cow’s
manintenance requirements, and then nutrients and energy
will be allocated to productive uses (growth, reproduction,
lactiation). The data presented in these tables are to be
utilized as guidelines and a starting point for nutrition
decision making.

Basic Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cows 4

Table 1. Intake guidelines for beef cows.
Forage Type Gestating Cow Lactation Cow
Low quality (<52% TDN) % of Body weight
Un-supplemented 1.8 2.0
Protein supplemented 1.8 2.2
Energy supplemented 1
1.5 2.0
Medium quality (52-59% TDN)
Un-supplemented 2.0 2.3
Protein supplemented 2.2 2.5
Energy supplemented 1
2.0 2.3
High quality (>59% TDN)
Un-supplemented 2.5 2.7
Protein supplemented 2.5 2.7
Energy supplemented2 2.5 2.7
Above 4 lb of supp, each lb of supp decreases forage consumption by 0.6 lb.
1

Lb for lb substitution of supplement for forage.

2

Table 2. Approximate total daily water requirement of beef cows and bulls.
Temperature in fahrenheit2
50 60 70 80 90
Pregnant cows 3
gallons
900 lbs 6.7 7.2 8.3 9.7 11.4 13.7
1,100 lbs 6.0 6.5 7.4 8.7 10.4 12.5
Lactating cows
All weights 11.4 12.6 14.5 16.9 17.9 16.2
Mature bulls
1,400 lbs 8.0 8.6 9.9 11.7 13.4 19.0
1,600 lbs 8.7 9.4 110.8 12.6 14.5 20.6
1
Adapted from the Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle, published by the National Research Council, 2000.
2
Water intake of a given class of cattle in a specific management system is a function of DMI and temperature. Water intake is constant up to
40° F.
3
DMI has a major influence on water intake. Heavier cows are assumed to be in better conditions and thus require less DMI and in turn less
water intake.

Basic Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cows 5

Table 3. Nutrient requirements of 1,000 lb mature cow.
Mature Nutrient Months since calving
weight 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
1,000 (10 lbs peak milk)
DMI, lb/d 21.6 22.1 23.0 22.5 22.1 21.0 21.1 21.0 20.9 20.8 21.0 21.4
TDN, % 55.8 56.6 54.3 53.4 52.5 51.8 44.9 45.7 47.0 49.1 52.0 55.7
NEm, 0.55 0.56 0.52 0.51 0.49 0.48 0.37 0.38 0.40 0.44 0.49 0.54
mcal/lb
CP, % 8.70 9.10 8.41 7.97 7.51 7.14 5.98 6.16 6.47 6.95 7.66 8.67
Ca, % 0.24 0.25 0.23 0.22 0.20 0.19 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.24 0.24 0.24
P, % 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.15 .014 0.14 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.15 0.15 0.15

TDN, lb/d 12.05 12.51 12.49 12.02 11.60 10.88 9.47 9.60 9.82 10.21 10.92 11.92
NEm, 11.88 12.38 11.96 11.48 10.83 10.08 7.81 7.98 8.36 9.15 10.29 11.56
mcal/d
CP, lb/d 1.88 2.01 1.93 1.79 1.66 1.50 1.26 1.29 1.35 1.45 1.61 1.86
Ca, lb/d 0.05 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.05 0.05 0.05
P, lb/d 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.03

1,000 (20 lbs peak milk)

DMI, lb/d 24.0 25.0 25.4 24.4 23.5 22.7 21.1 21.0 20.9 20.8 21.0 21.4
TDN, % 59.6 60.9 58.6 57.0 55.4 54.0 44.9 45.7 47.0 49.1 52.0 55.7
NEm, 0.60 0.62 0.59 0.56 0.54 0.52 0.37 0.38 0.40 0.44 0.49 0.54
mcal/lb
CP, % 10.54 11.18 10.38 9.65 8.86 8.17 5.98 6.16 6.47 6.95 7.66 8.67
Ca, % 0.30 0.32 0.30 0.27 0.24 0.22 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.24 0.24 0.24
P, % 0.20 0.21 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.15 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.15 0.15 0.15

TDN, lb/d 14.30 15.23 14.88 13.91 13.02 12.26 9.47 9.60 9.82 10.21 10.92 11.92
NEm, 14.40 15.50 14.99 13.66 12.69 11.80 7.81 7.98 8.36 9.15 10.29 11.56
mcal/d
CP, lb/d 2.53 2.80 2.64 2.35 2.08 1.85 1.26 1.29 1.35 1.45 1.61 1.86
Ca, lb/d 0.07 0.08 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.05 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.05 0.05 0.05
P, lb/d 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.03

1,000 (30 lbs peak milk)

DMI, lb/d 26.4 27.8 27.8 23.4 24.9 23.7 21.1 21.0 20.9 20.8 21.0 21.4
TDN, % 62.8 64.5 62.1 60.1 57.9 55.9 44.9 45.7 47.0 49.1 52.0 55.7
NEm, 0.65 0.68 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.55 0.37 0.38 0.40 0.44 0.49 0.54
mcal/lb
CP, % 12.06 12.86 12.00 11.07 10.04 9.09 5.98 6.16 6.47 6.95 7.66 8.67
Ca, % 0.35 0.38 0.35 0.32 0.28 0.25 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.24 0.24 0.24
P, % 0.22 0.24 0.22 0.21 0.19 0.17 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.15 0.15 0.15

TDN, lb/d 16.58 17.93 17.26 15.87 14.42 13.25 9.47 9.60 9.82 10.21 10.92 11.92

Basic Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cows 6

 Mature Nutrient Months since calving
weight 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
NEm, 17.16 18.90 17.79 16.10 14.44 13.04 7.81 7.98 8.36 9.15 10.29 11.56
mcal/d
CP, lb/d 3.18 3.58 3.34 2.92 2.50 2.15 1.26 1.29 1.35 1.45 1.61 1.86
Ca, lb/d 0.09 0.11 0.10 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.05 0.05 0.05
P, lb/d 0.06 0.07 0.06 0.06 0.05 0.04 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.03
Adapted from the Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle, published by the National Research Council, 2000.

Table 4. Nutrient requirements of 1,200 lb mature cow.

Mature Nutrient Months Since Calving
Weight 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
1,200 (10 lbs peak milk)
DMI, lb/d 24.4 24.9 26.0 25.6 25.1 24.8 24.2 24.1 24.0 23.9 21.4 24.6
TDN, % 55.3 56.0 53.7 52.9 52.1 51.5 44.9 45.8 47.1 49.3 52.3 56.2
NEm, 0.54 0.55 0.51 0.50 0.49 0.48 0.37 0.38 0.41 0.44 0.49 0.55
mcal/lb
CP, % 8.43 8.79 8.13 7.73 7.33 7.00 5.99 6.18 6.50 7.00 7.73 8.78
Ca, % 0.24 0.25 0.23 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.26 0.25 0.25
P, % 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.16 0.16 0.16

TDN, lb/d 13.49 13.94 13.96 13.54 13.08 12.77 10.87 11.04 11.30 11.78 11.19 13.83
NEm, 13.18 13.70 13.29 12.80 12.30 11.90 8.95 9.16 9.84 10.52 10.49 13.53
mcal/d
CP, lb/d 2.06 2.19 2.11 1.98 1.84 1.74 1.45 1.49 1.56 1.67 1.65 2.16
Ca, lb/d 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.06 0.05 0.06
P, lb/d 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.04

1,200 (20 lbs peak milk)

DMI, lb/d 26.8 27.8 28.4 27.4 26.5 25.7 24.2 24.1 24.0 23.9 21.4 24.6
TDN, % 58.7 59.9 57.6 56.2 54.7 53.4 44.9 45.8 47.1 49.3 52.3 56.2
NEm, 0.59 0.61 0.57 0.55 0.53 0.51 0.37 0.38 0.41 0.44 0.49 0.55
mcal/lb
CP, % 10.10 10.69 9.92 9.25 8.54 7.92 5.99 6.18 6.50 7.00 7.73 8.78
Ca, % 0.29 0.31 0.29 0.26 0.24 0.22 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.26 0.25 0.25
P, % 0.19 0.21 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.15 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.16 0.16 0.16

TDN, lb/d 15.73 16.65 16.36 15.40 14.50 13.72 10.87 11.04 11.30 11.78 11.19 13.83
NEm, 15.81 16.96 16.19 15.07 14.05 13.11 8.95 9.16 9.84 10.52 10.49 13.53
mcal/d
CP, lb/d 2.71 2.97 2.82 2.53 2.26 2.04 1.45 1.49 1.56 1.67 1.65 2.16
Ca, lb/d 0.08 0.09 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.06 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.06
P, lb/d 0.05 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.04 0.03 0.04

1,200 (30 lbs peak milk)

DMI, lb/d 29.2 30.6 30.8 28.4 27.9 23.7 24.2 21.1 24.0 23.9 21.4 24.6
TDN, % 61.6 63.2 60.8 59.0 57.0 55.2 44.9 45.8 47.1 49.3 52.3 56.2

Basic Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cows 7

 Mature Nutrient Months Since Calving
Weight 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
NEm, 0.64 0.66 0.62 0.59 0.56 0.54 0.37 0.38 0.41 0.44 0.49 0.55
mcal/lb
CP, % 11.51 12.25 11.41 10.55 9.61 8.45 5.99 6.18 6.50 7.00 7.73 8.78
Ca, % 0.34 0.36 .34 0.31 0.27 0.25 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.26 0.25 0.25
P, % 0.22 0.23 0.22 0.20 0.18 0.17 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.16 0.16 0.16

TDN, lb/d 17.99 19.34 18.73 17.35 15.90 14.74 10.87 11.04 11.30 11.78 11.19 13.83
NEm, 18.69 20.20 19.10 17.35 15.62 14.42 8.95 9.16 9.84 10.52 10.49 13.53
mcal/d
CP, lb/d 3.36 3.76 3.51 3.10 2.68 2.34 1.45 1.49 1.56 1.67 1.65 2.16
Ca, lb/d 0.10 0.11 0.10 0.09 0.08 0.07 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.06 0.05 0.06
P, lb/d 0.06 0.07 0.07 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.04 0.03 0.04
Adapted from the Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle, published by the National Research Council, 2000.

Table 5. Nutrient requirements of 1,400 lb mature cow.

Mature Nutrient Months since calving
weight 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
1,400 (10 lbs peak milk)
DMI, lb/d 27.1 27.6 28.9 28.5 28.0 27.7 27.2 27.0 26.9 26.8 27.0 27.6
TDN, % 54.9 55.5 53.3 52.5 51.8 51.2 45.0 45.8 47.3 49.5 52.6 56.6
NEm, 0.53 0.54 0.51 0.49 0.48 0.47 0.37 0.39 0.41 0.44 0.49 0.56
mcal/lb
CP, % 8.23 8.56 7.91 7.55 7.19 6.90 6.00 6.20 6.53 7.04 7.80 8.88
Ca, % 0.23 0.25 0.23 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.27 0.26 0.26
P, % 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.14 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.17 0.17 0.16

TDN, lb/d 14.88 15.32 15.40 14.96 14.50 14.18 12.24 12.37 12.72 13.27 14.20 15.62
NEm, 14.36 14.90 14.74 13.97 13.44 13.02 10.06 10.53 11.03 11.79 13.23 15.46
mcal/d
CP, lb/d 2.23 2.36 2.29 2.15 2.01 1.91 1.63 1.67 1.76 1.89 2.11 2.45
Ca, lb/d 0.06 0.07 0.07 0.06 0.06 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.07 0.07 0.07
P, lb/d 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.05 0.05 0.04

1,400 (20 lbs peak milk)

DMI, lb/d 29.5 30.5 31.3 30.3 29.4 28.6 27.2 27.0 26.9 26.8 27.0 27.6
TDN, % 58.0 59.1 56.8 55.5 54.1 53.0 45.0 45.8 47.3 49.5 52.6 56.6
NEm, 0.58 0.60 0.56 0.54 0.52 0.50 0.37 0.39 0.41 0.44 0.49 0.56
mcal/lb
CP, % 9.76 10.31 9.56 8.94 8.29 7.73 6.00 6.20 6.53 7.04 7.80 8.88
Ca, % 0.28 0.30 0.28 0.26 0.24 0.22 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.27 0.26 0.26
P, % 0.19 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.17 0.17 0.16

TDN, lb/d 17.11 18.03 17.78 16.82 15.91 15.16 12.24 12.37 12.72 13.27 14.20 15.62
NEm, 17.11 18.30 17.53 16.36 15.29 14.30 10.06 10.53 11.03 11.79 13.23 15.46
mcal/d

Basic Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cows 8

 Mature Nutrient Months since calving
weight 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
CP, lb/d 2.88 3.14 2.99 2.71 2.44 2.21 1.63 1.67 1.76 1.89 2.11 2.45
Ca, lb/d 0.08 0.09 0.09 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.07 0.07 0.07
P, lb/d 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.05 0.05 0.04

1,400 (30 lbs peak milk)

DMI, lb/d 31.9 33.3 33.7 32.3 30.8 29.6 27.2 27.0 26.9 26.8 27.0 27.6
TDN, % 60.7 62.2 59.8 58.1 26.2 24.7 45.0 45.8 47.3 49.5 52.6 56.6
NEm, 0.62 0.64 0.61 0.58 0.55 0.53 0.37 0.39 0.41 0.44 0.49 0.56
mcal/lb
CP, % 11.07 11.77 10.95 10.15 9.27 8.49 6.00 6.20 6.53 7.04 7.80 8.88
Ca, % 0.33 0.35 0.32 0.30 0.27 0.24 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.27 0.26 0.26
P, % 0.22 0.23 0.21 0.20 0.18 0.17 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.17 0.17 0.16

TDN, lb/d 19.36 20.71 20.15 18.77 17.31 16.19 12.24 12.37 12.72 13.27 14.20 15.62
NEm, 19.78 21.31 20.56 18.73 16.94 15.69 10.06 10.53 11.03 11.79 13.23 15.46
mcal/d
CP, lb/d 3.53 3.92 3.69 3.28 2.86 2.51 1.63 1.67 1.76 1.89 2.111 2.45
Ca, lb/d 0.11 0.12 0.11 0.10 0.08 0.07 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.07 0.07 0.07
P, lb/d 0.07 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.06 0.05 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.05 0.05 0.04
Adapted from the Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle, published by the National Research Council, 2000.

Table 6. Nutrient requirements of 1,600 lb mature cow.

Mature Nutrient Months since calving
Weight 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
1,600 (10 lbs peak milk)
DMI, lb/d 29.8 30.3 31.8 31.4 31.1 30.6 30.2 30.0 26.9 29.7 29.9 30.6
TDN, % 54.5 55.0 52.9 52.1 51.4 51.0 45.0 45.8 47.5 49.7 52.9 56.9
NEm, 0.52 0.53 0.50 0.48 0.48 0.47 0.38 0.39 0.42 0.45 0.49 0.56
mcal/lb
CP, % 8.03 8.33 7.69 7.3 7.05 6.8 6.01 6.22 6.56 7.10 7.87 8.98
Ca, % 0.23 0.25 0.23 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.27 0.26 0.26
P, % 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.14 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.17 0.17 0.17

TDN, lb/d 16.24 16.67 16.82 16.36 15.99 15.61 13.59 13.74 12.78 14.76 15.82 17.41
NEm, 15.50 16.06 15.90 15.07 14.93 14.38 11.48 11.70 11.30 13.37 14.65 17.14
mcal/d
CP, lb/d 2.39 2.52 2.45 2.29 2.19 2.08 1.82 1.87 1.76 2.11 2.35 2.75
Ca, lb/d 0.07 0.08 0.07 0.07 0.06 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.08 0.08 0.08
P, lb/d 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.03 0.05 0.05 0.05

1,600 (20 lbs peak milk)

DMI, lb/d 32.1 33.1 34.0 33.0 32.2 31.4 30.1 29.9 29.8 29.7 29.9 30.5
TDN, % 57.5 59.0 56.7 55.3 54.0 53.0 45.0 45.8 47.5 49.7 52.9 60.0

Basic Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cows 9

Mature Nutrient Months since calving
Weight 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
NEm, 0.57 0.59 0.56 0.53 0.51 0.50 0.37 0.39 0.41 0.44 0.49 0.56
mcal/lb
CP, % 9.5 10.10 9.30 8.70 8.05 7.50 6.05 6.25 6.55 7.10 7.90 8.95
Ca, % 0.27 0.29 0.27 0.25 0.23 0.21 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.27 0.26 0.26
P, % 0.17 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.14 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.15 0.15 0.16

TDN, lb/d 18.46 19.53 19.28 18.25 17.39 16.64 13.55 13.69 14.16 14.76 15.82 18.30
NEm, 18.30 19.53 19.04 17.49 16.42 15.70 11.14 11.66 12.22 13.07 14.65 17.08
mcal/d
CP, lb/d 3.05 3.34 3.16 2.87 2.59 2.36 1.82 1.87 1.95 2.11 2.36 2.73
Ca, lb/d 0.09 0.10 0.09 0.08 0.07 0.07 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.08 0.08 0.08
P, lb/d 0.05 0.06 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.04 0.04 0.05

1,600 (30 lbs peak milk)

DMI, lb/d 34.6 36.0 36.4 35.0 33.5 32.3 30.0 29.5 29.4 29.3 29.5 30.0
TDN, % 59.9 61.3 59.0 57.3 55.4 50.0 45.0 45.8 47.3 50.0 53.1 57.0
NEm, 0.62 0.65 0.62 0.59 0.56 0.54 0.37 0.39 0.41 0.44 0.49 0.57
mcal/lb
CP, % 10.74 11.50 10.70 9.90 9.15 8.40 6.00 6.22 6.60 8.05 8.80 9.95
Ca, % 0.32 0.34 0.31 0.29 0.26 0.23 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.26 0.26 0.26
P, % 0.22 0.23 0.21 0.20 0.18 0.17 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.17 0.17 0.17

TDN, lb/d 20.73 22.07 21.48 20.06 18.56 16.15 13.50 13.51 13.91 14.65 15.66 17.10
NEm, 21.45 23.40 22.57 20.65 18.76 17.44 11.10 11.51 12.05 12.89 14.46 17.10
mcal/d
CP, lb/d 3.72 4.14 3.89 3.47 3.07 2.71 1.80 1.83 1.94 2.36 2.60 2.99
Ca, lb/d 0.11 0.12 0.11 0.10 0.09 0.07 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.08 0.08 0.08
P, lb/d 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.05 0.05
Adapted from the Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle, published by the National Research Council, 2000.

Basic Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cows 10