Wheat pasture provides producers an opportunity to graze cattle on a high-quality forage during the winter months when most other pastures are dormant. Wheat pasture is high in protein and supports excellent daily gains in stocker cattle which increases the return per acre of wheat pasture.
Wheat pasture is highly nutritious, but does have some limitations. For example, compared to other pasture grasses, wheat pasture is low in calcium and has a lower calcium to phosphorus ratio. The best way to get the most out of your wheat pasture is to feed Western Feed Mills Wheat Saver Mineral, a complete balanced mineral supplement formulated especially for cattle grazing wheat pasture. Feeding Wheat Saver Mineral improves average daily gain, extends the grazing season and allows for increased stocking rate.
Research reported by Elanco Animal Health showed that cattle on wheat pasture fed a complete balanced mineral, gained 0.12 pounds more per day than cattle that received no mineral. When an ionophore is added to the mineral, cattle gained an additional 0.19 pounds per head daily. Feeding Wheat Saver Mineral with either Bovatec® or Rumensin® can increase average daily gain and return $2.00 for each $1.00 spent on the mineral.
Although the potential benefits of wheat pasture are significant, there are some nutritional concerns that producers need to be aware of. Wheat pasture can be high in moisture, especially during periods of rapid growth. Supplementation with hay or grain can help maintain intake and performance. Wheat pasture can result in low blood magnesium levels which can lead to grass tetany especially in cows and older cattle. The high magnesium level in Wheat Saver Mineral supplement can reduce the incidence of grass tetany.
The most economically damaging nutritional concern with wheat pasture is bloat. The rapid growth of wheat pasture during the fall & spring can often lead to bloat conditions. The weather can also increase the risk of bloat. As weather fronts move in, cattle reduce their grazing activity. As the front passes, cattle resume grazing at an intensive rate which can trigger bloat. Bloat is often associated with frost, but that is probably due to the increased intake following weather activity. Bloat can be prevented by top dressing or mixing Bloat Guard® Premix (Poloxalene) with feed or mineral.
For more information on Maximizing Performance of Cattle Grazing Wheat Pasture, contact your Western Feeds Representative or call us at; 620-758-2283