The journey can be challenging for small cattle producers, but it’s important to remember your resilience. Smaller operations may face unexpected costs or struggle to negotiate better sales prices, but this doesn’t mean you’re at the mercy of the market. There are steps you can take to strengthen your operation and make it more resilient, even when it seems like things are out of your control. Your resilience is your strength.
The new year is the perfect time to focus on what you can do to make a difference in your operation. Managing herds with limited resources is no small task. Still, it’s important to remember that real improvements are within reach with intelligent planning and a proactive mindset. From keeping better records to improving grazing plans, small changes can lead to big results. So, let’s dive into a few practical ways you can set yourself up for a better, more successful year ahead.
1.) Track Your Herd Like a Pro
This part goes without saying, but in order to get somewhere, you need to know where you are. Knowing where your operation is currently will help with any future plans. Keeping records is very important in order to make future decisions and set clear, achievable goals.
With a smaller herd, every animal must pull their own weight. Keeping records will help identify any aggressive cattle, poor mothers, or those who need to meet your production goals. Things like maternal behavior, conformation abnormalities, or cases of dystocia are also important. These things will help you make better-informed decisions when it comes to culling time.
When it comes to record-keeping, simplicity is vital. Whether you prefer a simple spiral notebook or a more advanced computer software, the important thing is that you’re recording the right information. Don’t worry about making it complicated-just jot down the important stuff. If you’re unsure, the Beef Cattle Research Council in Canada has some information on correctly keeping records.
What to track
Keeping track of the right details is key to understanding how your cattle operation is doing. Start with basics like breeding dates and calving success. Knowing when each cow was bred and how well they perform as mothers helps you plan your herd’s future and make smart decisions about which cows to keep. Add vaccination records and grazing patterns to the list, as these show how healthy your cattle are and how well you use your pastures. The more you know, the better you can manage.
Don’t worry about making it complicated—just jot down the important stuff. Whether you use a simple notebook or a fancy app, keeping consistent records is what matters. If a cow has trouble calving or isn’t producing as expected, you’ll see it in your notes and know what action to take. Over time, these records give you a clear picture of what’s working and what needs to improve, making your operation more efficient and profitable.
2.) Get the Most Out of Your Pastures
Utilizing your forages as much as possible is essential to keeping your costs down to a minimum. Having your cattle graze high-quality forages for as long as possible will reduce the need for supplements. Regarding grazing, there are many factors to consider to utilize the land entirely.
The first important step in setting up a grazing plan is understanding the carrying capacity of your pasture. Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of cattle that can be sustained in a specific area of land for a certain period, usually a year. Knowing this can prevent overgrazing and ensure the sustainability of your pastures. Your carrying capacity involves more than just how many acres you have. I go over how to determine your actual carrying capacity in a previous post, “Estimating your grazeable acreage.”
Another aspect of your grazing plan is getting the cattle to graze every acre possible. The problem with this is that cattle often stay close to a water source or loafing area. Supplements can help if you are having this problem. You start by placing the supplement close to where they are to get them to start going to it. Once that happens, you can move it to different areas to get them into other parts.
Monitoring and Adjusting
Keeping an eye on your pastures is one of the best ways to ensure your cattle get the nutrition they need. Pasture conditions can change with weather, grazing pressure, or even the time of year, so checking them regularly is essential. Look for signs of overgrazing, like bare patches or grass that’s too short, and adjust your grazing plan if needed. This adjustment might mean rotating cattle to a different pasture or giving the land a break to recover. Regular monitoring helps you make the most of your forages while keeping your pastures healthy.
Adjusting your plans doesn’t have to be complicated—it’s about making small changes as you go. If you notice your pastures aren’t holding up, you could supplement with hay or move cattle to areas with better grass. For instance, you could adjust the rotation schedule to allow certain areas to recover, or you could change the type of supplement based on the nutritional needs of your cattle. The goal is to stay flexible and make decisions based on what you see happening on the ground. By keeping tabs on pasture conditions and tweaking your strategy, you’ll set your herd and your land up for long-term success.
3.) Handle Your Herd with Ease and Efficiency
Working your cattle properly is not only safe but also makes good business sense. When you practice good handling techniques, you reduce stress not only on your cattle but also on yourself. Cattle that are stressed will release more stress hormones, which can mask underlying issues. Keeping them calm will allow you to assess your cattle properly.
Keeping things as quiet as possible is one of the most significant tools in reducing stress on cattle. The time of day that you work your cattle also plays a factor. If you are running them through the chutes in late spring or summer, it is better to work them in the morning when it is cooler. Working cattle at this time will reduce their overall stress and lessen the chance of them getting heat-related stress.
Having good facilities is another way you can make things easier for your cattle. Though it can be a significant overhead cost, many producers have seen major benefits from having proper handling facilities. The alleyways need to have a slight curve to mimic cattle’s natural way of moving. Avoid having shiny things out in the open because this can spook the animals.
4.) Streamline Your Breeding Program
In order for a producer to be profitable, his cows need to have a calf every year. It may seem straightforward, but it is rarely simple. Producers know it takes effort and good management to make this happen. A way that you can achieve this is by having a defined breeding and calving season.
You can improve the uniformity of your calf crop by limiting your calving period to 60-90 days. You will be able to get more money for them because buyers like uniform calf groups. A set period will also allow your breeding herd enough time to recover before the breeding season starts.
Having a set period for both breeding and calving will also help if you ever need to make culling decisions. Get rid of any cows that are either late to breed or don’t breed during that timeframe. You should also sell any cow whose calves consistently perform less than the others since your crop will be uniform.
5.) Build a Winning Team
This one may be difficult for you considering this industry. We pride ourselves on individualism, but in order to reach higher levels, you will need to work in a team. As the saying goes, “We are not an island unto ourselves.” You cannot know everything, so you need to have people around you to learn from.
Having a good relationship with your local veterinarian lays the foundation for a Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship. A vet who knows you, your production goals, and your specific herd is helpful. This knowledge allows them to diagnose potential issues and develop a particular treatment plan tailored to you and your operation.
It would help if you also worked with nutritionists who understand the nutritional deficiencies in your area and how to balance a diet to counteract them adequately. Visiting with your local county extension agent or a range specialist can inform you of any common challenges in your area.
6) Plan for Long-Term Improvements
When looking ahead, it’s crucial to consider the long-term improvements that can make your operation more efficient and profitable. Start by identifying minor upgrades that will have the most significant impact. Things like improving your water system or repairing fencing might seem minor. Still, they can save time, reduce waste, and even improve herd health. The key is to focus on changes that will make a noticeable difference without overwhelming your budget.
Speaking of budgets, there are plenty of ways to make upgrades without breaking the bank. DIY repairs can go a long way if you’re handy and have the tools on hand. It’s also worth exploring grants and cost-share programs local or government organizations offer. These programs can help cover the cost of improvements that might otherwise feel out of reach, allowing you to tackle projects you’ve been putting off.
As you make these improvements, remember to track how they benefit your operation. An excellent way to do this is by looking at the return on investment (ROI). For example, if you fix your fencing, are you spending less time repairing it or losing fewer cattle to wandering? Keeping an eye on how these changes pay off over time will help you make smarter decisions in the future and show you that even small steps can lead to big rewards.