by James I. Sprague, Nutritionist

Animal health prevention
Animal health concerns are the first priority for cattle on wheat pasture. After vaccination for the viral and bacterial diseases that are recommended by your veterinarian, I suggest a prophylactic program of antibiotics or a feeding program of a strong level of CTC or OTC the first three to four weeks. Check with your veterinarian, nutritionist, and feed supplier for products and their recommendations. This two phase program can be followed by a lower level of antibiotic or an ionophore for the remainder of the pasture time. Always follow the directions supplied with the products.

Implanting, monitor bullers
Also consider implanting to give maximum gain. This is recommended only if there are provisions for close monitoring for “bullers” and their removal from the pasture.

Rumensin or Bovatec for pasture
Another suggestion is the use of the ionohores Rumensin or Bovatec as soon as possible in a mineral or supplement to stimulate gain. These products can be used after a starter phase with CTC or OTC, thus making this a two phase supplement program.

Rumensin and Bovatec have benefits other than gain stimulation. They help control coccidiosis. Ionophores change the way protein is digested by lowering the level of ammonia in the rumen, allowing the protein to escape to the lower tract for improved protein utilization. I have found the manure is less “washy” if ionohores are fed.

Bloat prevention
Bloat may become a problem late in the early spring when the wheat breaks dormancy. Rumensin in minerals is reported to help overcome bloat in the feedlot and some help for wheat pasture bloat as well. In some cases, the product Bloat Guard (Poloxaline) may be needed. It can be purchased as molasses blocks or as a feed additive in minerals or supplements.

Mineral balance and the importance of salt
Grass tetany or “wheat pasture poisoning” can be a problem on lush wheat pasture. The problem is excess of potassium (K) in the leaves which causes a magnesium deficiency. A source of sodium (Na) is needed to overcome the excess of potassium. The usual source of sodium is sodium chloride (common salt), but sodium bicarbonate could be used. The commercial feed manufacturing industry supplies products for supplementation on wheat pasture. I suggest magnesium be included, plus trace minerals. The trace mineral pack will help control foot rot. In my opinion, a wheat pasture mineral is a better buy if it includes feed additives ionohores or antibiotics.

Always have on hand injectable calcium/magnesium/gluconate for treatment of cattle that show tetany.

Blocks or loose mineral
Most wheat pasture minerals are loose meal, however Bovatec now can be purchased in a mineral block for pasture cattle. Additives are often supplied from a custom mineral or supplement formulated by consultants. Check with your local feed supplier for suggestions of products.

Plan for supplemental feeding
One of the ways to get extra performance from cattle on wheat pasture is the use of supplemental feeding. Many producers use low protein forage along with wheat pasture to overcome the “washy” nature of this lush pasture. Rations of grain or by-product mixed with silage, low protein hay, and a supplement fortified with additives is an accepted tactic. Some rations can be self fed. Feeding on wheat will extend a wheat pasture that is a thin stand from drought, poor emergency, or over-grazed.

Emergency rations, shipping time
One of the advantages of supplemental feeding is cattle are trained to come to the bunk. This helps after a snow storm when the animals cannot reach the wheat pasture. Another advantage of a supplemental feeding program is the cattle are easier to gather for shipment, plus they are “bunk broke” when they reach the feedlot. ©