What does a cow need to grow?

Answer 1

Cows are already full grown animals, simply because they are mature female cattle that have stopped growing and are only concerned with keeping themselves alive and well. The old mantra that cows need grass and water to live is true to a point. Not all cows have access to grass nor are lucky enough to have access to grass throughout their entire lives. Cattle that are raised indoors are fed feeds that are balanced out nutritionally to meet their requirements for maintenance, reproduction, lactation and (if these animals are indeed growing animals and not mature cows) growth. Such nutrients include energy, protein, minerals, vitamins, and fat requirements. What feeds exactly are fed to these animals cannot be answered simply because no one farm nor location raises the exact same feeds as each other. Hay and silage, generally, is commonly fed to such animals, as well as various types of grains, by-products, and processed feeds.

As mentioned above, growing cattle are fed a variety of feeds that are all produced to meet their requirements for growth of mainly muscle and bone tissue. Protein and energy is emphasized with such animals, where the younger the calf, heifer or steer, the higher these requirements are. If they are lucky enough (especially if they're beef cattle), they are introduced to grazing grasses and forbs at a young age as taught to them by their mothers.