A breeder is an essential part of the future of the cattle industry. The products they make, i.e., calves, can determine the genetic potential of a beef herd. This genetic potential is why it is vital to do business with a reputable one.
The cattle that will be entering your herd, whether that is the replacements you raise or the ones that you buy, will steer what direction your herd goes in the future. It is during times like these that a producer must make their decisions based on sound business judgment. These are not the time to let emotions get the better of you.
When it comes to cattle buying, there are plenty of sellers. All you have to do is take a quick look around social media to find that out. There are many sellers. But that does not mean that all of them are the right ones to go with. It will be up to you to wade through all of the noise. The key is to find the one that will be right for you. Here are four things that you can follow to make the right choice.
Roughages are an essential but often overlooked part of a cow’s diet. Most of the time, people only focus on things like crude protein, energy, and mineral content. While those are vital for the overall production of cattle, roughages play just as important a role. Consuming a certain amount of roughage is essential to keep the rumen functioning and allow the digestion of things like protein, energy, and minerals.
The bulls in your herd need as much care and attention during this time of year as your cows. You must take steps during this time to ensure they are ready for the next breeding season. It is always a good idea to get started now so you will have plenty of time to make adjustments.
Dietary minerals are necessary for optimal growth and reproduction. The amount needed depends on forage mineral content, the animal’s age, and the production stage. Just knowing what the cow requires is only 1 component in evaluating its mineral status. Even the soil type, fertilizer used, and rainfall can affect what mineral is available at a particular time.
Hay is an essential part of any winter feeding program. It is used to supplement cattle’s nutritional needs when forages become dormant. However, when it comes to feeding harvested forages, you need to know what you have in order to understand what to provide.
Deciding which cows to cull is a challenging task for most producers. Sometimes, their personal feelings about that particular animal get in the way. There are even sometimes, they need to know which ones are underperforming and which ones need to be kept.
Heifer development can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding tasks on the ranch. The very basis of your future depends on your ability to develop the young heifers into productive mothers. But these challenges do not come without problems.
Grazing management in the fall can have an impact on your future forage production. The intensity of your grazing animals determines what state they will be in. Also, grazing during the winter may be limited depending on what forages you have available.
It may not seem like it now, but winter is on its way. The change in seasons also brings new problems to deal with to keep your cattle performing at their best. Keeping your cattle healthy during the stress of colder winter temperatures can be a pain in the neck. It is also doable.
Protein supplements are often needed during the fall and winter months. This need is because, during this time, most of your tame pasture forages go into dormancy. When this happens, things like their protein content will go down.
