As sure as the turning of the world being in winter means having to buy feed. The reason for that is that during this time forages go dormant and provide less for animals. Though they do not like it producers have to buy supplements to feed their animals during this time.
The problem that happens during this time though is that most producers tend to spend too much money when buying feed. They just buy what they normally have without taking into consideration if it is really what they need at this time or not. The other side of that coin is that there are some producers who do not provide enough being content on going with the least cost. Unfortunately, neither option is the best.
When it comes to providing supplements the goal is to be the most efficient. You want to ensure that the animal’s nutritional needs are being met without breaking the bank. Skimping on nutrition can affect production as well as profitability. But also you do not want to spend more money than you can get back. Here are 5 suggestions for reducing your overall feed costs without sacrificing production.
Well, winter is finally here, though here in Texas it doesn’t really feel like it too much. But with this time of year, that means that producers will be putting hay out to feed their animals. Depending on how you get it hay is typically one of the cheaper options when it comes to supplements.
A wheat pasture is a valuable resource for many cattle operations. This plant is a valuable source of high-quality forage when most other forages are low in quantity and quality. The unique climate in areas of the Southern plains, like here in Texas can allow producers to use wheat as both a forage and a grain crop. This can potentially increase the overall profitability of many operations.
Cattle producers, like any other business, are always looking for ways to reduce costs. As any producer will tell you there is no greater expense than that feed costs. A management tool used quite often to regulate feed intake is using salt. Though it can have some impact regulating feed intake with salt is not precise and will require some tinkering in order to get it right.
When people think about tetany they think of something that happens only during the spring. It’s something that usually occurs when cattle are eating lush, spring grass, or annual cereal forages. However, it can also occur when cattle are being fed harvested forages like silage or hay.
Formulating a ration for cattle is key to any successful beef operation. There are times when forages alone will not supply what the cows need for the stage they are in. When it comes that time you will need to provide a supplement that will fill in the gaps to keep them producing.
A breeder is a very important 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 is why it is vital to do business with a reputable one.
Roughages are an important 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 an as important role. Consuming a certain amount of roughage is important to keep the rumen functioning in allowing the digestion of things like protein, energy, and minerals.
The bull in your herd needs just as much care and attention during this time of year as your cows. You must take steps during this time to make sure that 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 age of the animal, and the stage of production. 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 certain time.
