Why is it important to control the weight gain of dry pregnant beef cows?

Answer 1

Cows that are too fat or thin often have birthing and lactating problems when the calf is ready to be born and begin suckling. Besides, the time a beef cow is dry and pregnant is when she doesn't need the high nutrient feeds like she would when she is lactating and needing to feed both her and the calf. Her energy and protein requirements are not to where weight gain and putting these nutrients into milk production is needed, so it's best to manage the condition (level of body fat) of your animals accordingly, depending on what their body condition is.

Normal-conditioned cows should have their weight maintained and not gain or lose much, if at all. Fat cows need to be fed so that they can lose weight. This means more roughage and less grain. Thin cows, though, will need that extra grain or high-energy/protein supplement so they can get their weight up to par and be ready for the stressful and strenuous time that is put on their bodies when they go into labour and have to produce milk for their calves.

For the fatter cows, the fat deposits in the birth canal can make calving more difficult and a tighter space for the calf to fit through. Fat deposits in the udder also hinder the cow's ability to produce enough milk for the calf. Thin cows also have problems in calving time, but not because of fat deposits. Rather, they can easily tire during birth and not have enough energy to push out that calf. They and/or the calf can die if they are not helped as soon as possible. Thin cows will not experience the same level of milk production loss as with fat cows (although milk production is more compromised than with normal, "fit not fat" cows), but an increase in lactation requirements (more milk demanded by the calf) can "pull down" a cow, or rather force her to lose more condition than she can afford. In other words, her calf is getting fat while she continues to get thin. But, her calf can also have a lighter weaning weight than a calf from a normal-conditioned mom.

Thus, "control" in this question is subjective. It depends on the current body conditions of your cows, as judging their body condition score will determine whether control is indeed required or whether you will need to up the ante and get your cows up to par before calving, as well as breeding, so that you avoid any problems in the future.

Answer 2

Because if you don't control it it will be harder for the cow to birth or the calf will die

So,be careful with your cattle and give as much exercise a possible but not to much