Sensible supplementation – considerations, planning and actions

Supplementing the diet of your livestock with key missing nutrients can provide a remarkable return on investment. But how do you know you are providing your animals what they need and not more of what they already have?

Join Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) Beef Extension Officers Mick Sullivan and Kylie Hopkins in this 3-part (recorded) webinar series when they discuss:

Sensible Supplementation 1 – beef cattle nutrition principles
Sensible Supplementation 2 – herd management and nutrition
Sensible Supplementation 3 – choosing and managing supplements

You can use the tabs below to select and watch a full recording or use the playlists (below each recording) to jump to the start of a particular section within the recording.

Additional resources:

Dry season management of a beef business (FutureBeef)
Protein and urea supplementation (FutureBeef)
Improving beef business performance with phosphorus supplementation (FutureBeef)
Supplement labels: what are they saying? (FutureBeef)
Weaner supplements (FutureBeef)
Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (Queensland Government)
The Long Paddock (Queensland Government)
FarmHub (National Farmers’ Federation)
Rural Financial Counselling Service (Southern Queensland)
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (Queensland Government)

Sensible Supplementation 1 – beef cattle nutrition principles

In this webinar recording, Kylie Hopkins (DAF Beef Extension Officer, Rockhampton) discusses general beef cattle nutrition principles and the key fundamentals that must be considered for effective management of animal nutrition and supplementation.

Topics discussed include:

pasture intake
identifying limiting nutrients
protein
energy
phosphorus
other minerals

Download a copy of the presentation – Sensible supplementation – Beef cattle nutrition principles (PDF; 2.74 MB)

Full recording

Playlist

Sensible Supplementation 2 – Herd management and nutrition

In this webinar recording, Mick Sullivan (Beef Extension Officer – DAF Rockhampton) discusses how herd management can better align animal requirements with diet quality and reduce the need for supplementation.

Topics discussed include:

Managing seasonal variation in diet quality
Importance of breeder body condition
Choosing joining times
Strategies to manage breeder body condition

Download a copy of the presentation – Sensible supplementation 2 – Herd management and nutrition (PDF; 2.71 MB)

Full recording

Playlist

Sensible Supplementation 3 – Choosing and managing supplements

In this webinar recording, Mick Sullivan (Beef Extension Officer – DAF Rockhampton) discusses the types of supplements available and how to choose the most effective option for your situation.

Topics discussed include:

Supplement types and their use
Reading supplement labels
Nutritional requirements and targets
Assessing and choosing supplements

Download a copy of the presentation – Sensible supplementation 3 -Choosing & managing supplements (PDF, 2.60 MB)

Full recording

Playlist

Sensible Supplementation – Choosing and Managing supplements
Webinar series outline
Supplement types
a. Non protein nitrogen supplements
b. Protein and energy supplements
c. Energy supplements
Reading labels
Check units used in labels
Intake must be considered with analysis
Liquid supplements
d. Check specific gravity
e. Dry matter versus As Fed basis
Nutrition requirements and targets
Supplement selection
Which protein supplement?
Lick composition
Which energy supplement?
Managing supplements
Supplement versus substitution
Summary
Extra support

Sensible supplementation – considerations, planning and actions

Additional resources:

Sensible Supplementation 1 – beef cattle nutrition principles

Full recording

Playlist

Sensible Supplementation 2 – Herd management and nutrition

Full recording

Playlist

Sensible Supplementation 3 – Choosing and managing supplements

Full recording

Playlist

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