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A Guide to Rearing & Feeding Cattle
Cattle are a cornerstone of British agriculture, prized for their milk, beef, and contribution to sustainable farming systems. Whether you’re managing a dairy herd, raising beef cattle, or keeping a few animals on your smallholding, providing the right nutrition and care is crucial for productivity, animal health, and welfare.
Key Nutritional Needs
Cattle require a balanced diet that changes with age, breed, and production stage (calf, heifer, cow, or bull). The right feed supports growth, fertility, strong immunity, and high-quality milk or meat.
- Energy: Mainly from grass, silage, hay, and cereals—vital for maintenance, growth, and production.
- Protein: Essential for muscle and tissue development, milk yield, and fertility.
- Fibre: Crucial for healthy digestion and rumen function.
- Vitamins & Minerals: Especially calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, and vitamin E for bone, muscle, and immune health.
Types of Feed by Life Stage
Calf Milk Replacer (birth–8 weeks):
- Specially formulated milk powders for healthy early growth and immunity.
Calf Starter & Grower Feed (2–16 weeks):
- High-protein (16–20%) coarse mix or pellets to encourage rumen development and growth.
Heifer/Youngstock Feed (4 months–breeding age):
- Moderate protein and energy for steady frame and muscle development.
Dairy Cow Feed:
- High-energy, balanced rations to support milk production, fertility, and condition.
- May include compound feeds, blends, and minerals.
Beef Cattle Feed:
- Grower and finisher rations formulated for efficient weight gain and top-quality beef.
- Balanced energy and protein, with added minerals for health and performance.
Forage:
- Good-quality grass, silage, or hay should make up the bulk of the diet year-round.
- Supplement with hard feed when forage quality or quantity is low (e.g., winter, calving, or rapid growth periods).
Mineral Licks & Buckets:
- Provide free-access mineral licks or buckets to ensure cattle get essential trace elements and vitamins.
How to Feed
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Frequency:
- Calves: Little and often, especially with starter feeds.
- Adults: Once or twice daily if feeding hard feed; forage available ad-lib.
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Quantity:
- Follow manufacturer guidelines and adjust for breed, age, and production stage.
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Water:
- Fresh, clean water must always be available—cattle can drink large volumes, especially when lactating or eating dry feed.
Housing & General Care
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Shelter:
- Provide protection from wind, rain, and extreme temperatures.
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Space:
- Avoid overcrowding to reduce stress and disease risk.
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Pasture Management:
- Rotate grazing to prevent overgrazing and parasite build-up.
Health & Biosecurity
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Cleanliness:
- Clean feeders and water troughs regularly.
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Worming & Parasites:
- Regular worming, fluke, and fly control are essential.
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Biosecurity:
- Quarantine new cattle, and limit contact with neighbouring herds to prevent disease spread.
Common Feeding Mistakes & FAQs
- Mistake: Underfeeding growing cattle—can stunt growth and reduce future productivity.
- Mistake: Not providing mineral licks—can cause deficiencies (e.g., magnesium, selenium).
- Mistake: Overfeeding cereals—can cause digestive upsets or acidosis.
FAQs:
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Can cattle eat sheep or horse feed?
Not recommended—cattle have specific mineral and protein needs. -
Do cattle always need hard feed?
No—good-quality forage is usually enough, but hard feed is useful in winter, for calves, or high-production animals. -
How do I know if my cattle need supplements?
If grazing is poor, or cattle are growing, pregnant, or lactating, supplements or licks are beneficial.
Product Recommendations & Internal Links
Browse our full range of cattle feeds, licks, and supplements, suitable for every life stage and production system. We also stock health products and equipment to keep your herd thriving.