holstein feed help

[creative1]

I would like some help with the feed for my Holsteins. just under 2 years old with poor forage. They are on nutrena nutrebeef cattle maintenance textured 12/1.2
I was raised around all brangus range cows so not sure if im feeding them the right type or amount, I'm going by what my local feed store recommended. From what ive been reading their BCS is a 4.
I just want to make sure they are eating healthy, there is so much info on the internet but its foreign language to me.

 

[dun]

Steers for the table, oxen or milk cows?

 

[creative1]

milk cows, havent been bred yet

 

[chippie]

Dairy cattle need a higher protein than beef breeds, especially when lactating. They will also appear leaner than a beef breed because they put their energy into making milk, not meat.

The Family Cow by Dirk Van Loon is a good book about keeping a dairy cow.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0882660667/?tag=cattletoday00-20

Even if you are planning to use them as nurse cows, they will need to be fed differently than a beef breed.

We have Jerseys and are in a drought right now. Grass is almost non-existent. Our dry cows (bred) have a round bale of hay at all times plus a 16 % protein tub that I buy at Tractor Supply. The ones that have calves or are being milked are fed an 18% lactation pellet twice daily (20 lbs per feeding).

How much grain are you giving them? A good hay is very important. A cow can starve to death on junky hay.

 

[TexasBred]

Open dairy cows don't need anything but grazing and/or hay. Whichever is available. They are not suppose to be fat but shouldn't be overly thin either.

 

[TexasBred]

I would like some help with the feed for my Holsteins. just under 2 years old with poor forage. They are on nutrena nutrebeef cattle maintenance textured 12/1.2
I was raised around all brangus range cows so not sure if im feeding them the right type or amount, I'm going by what my local feed store recommended. From what ive been reading their BCS is a 4.
I just want to make sure they are eating healthy, there is so much info on the internet but its foreign language to me.

Missed the "poor forage" statement. The 12 1/2% protein should be more than enough even on low quality forage. Dairy cattle also have a different body scoring system than beef cattle.

 

[hillsdown]

I would like some help with the feed for my Holsteins. just under 2 years old with poor forage. They are on nutrena nutrebeef cattle maintenance textured 12/1.2
I was raised around all brangus range cows so not sure if im feeding them the right type or amount, I'm going by what my local feed store recommended. From what ive been reading their BCS is a 4.
I just want to make sure they are eating healthy, there is so much info on the internet but its foreign language to me.

Missed the "poor forage" statement. The 12 1/2% protein should be more than enough even on low quality forage. Dairy cattle also have a different body scoring system than beef cattle.

Also make sure they are on a really good mineral program .