Better feeding after calving and smart soil tax planning tips
Proper cow nutrition after calving is essential for herd productivity. After a calf is born, the cow faces heavy physical stress. She must produce milk while also preparing her body to breed again. During this period, energy needs increase by about 30 percent and protein needs nearly double.
If cows do not receive enough nutrients, milk production can drop. This affects calf growth and may delay or prevent rebreeding. Cold, wet, or icy conditions can raise nutrient requirements even higher. For this reason, producers should provide their best quality hay or silage immediately after calving.
Winter grass, cornstalks, and crop residues are usually low in nutrients late in the season. These feeds often cannot meet a cow’s needs alone. A cow’s total diet should contain 10% to 12% crude protein and 60% to 65% total digestible nutrients of TDN. If grazing poor quality forage, supplements must correct nutrient shortages. However, overfeeding should also be avoided because it increases costs.
Testing forage for protein and energy is strongly recommended. Results should be compared with herd requirements to develop a balanced ratio. With proper feeding, cows will milk well, rebreed on time, and raise healthy calves year after year.
In addition to nutrition management, some landowners are reviewing IRS Section 180 for possible tax savings. This tax code allows farmers to treat certain soil fertility expenses as deductible in the year they are paid or incurred. Eligible items may include fertilizer, lime, marl, and other soil conditioning materials.
When land is purchased, the value of excess residual fertility may be deductible. Soil testing near the time of purchase is important. However, former renters cannot claim deductions to the nutrients they previously expensed. Landowners should consult a CPA to determine eligibility and potential savings. Careful planning can support both herd health and financial health.
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