Mesquite trees are the most popular “trash” tree out there. Though mostly that popularity is due to the excellent bbq wood that it provides. Despite it being able to provide us with some really good firewood it does pose some problems for range managers.
Now do not completely get me wrong on this. Despite being viewed by some as a poor-quality rangeland plant mesquite does have some benefits. One such benefit is that it can provide both food and cover for both wildlife and livestock. Also, since it is classified as a legume it has the ability to fix nitrogen back into the soil.
Despite its benefits listed above if it is left unmanaged it can very easily dominate rangeland. In the process of doing that, it will choke out any grass that you may have in the pasture. What that means is that there will be less for your animals to eat. With it also being a very thirsty plant it will also suck your place dry if you let it get out of hand.
I do feel that a disclaimer is needed here so the thing to remember is that complete eradication is unlikely, not to mention unnecessary, but getting them under control is possible. here are 5 steps that you can follow to get better control of your pastures.
Salt blocks are available to producers in a variety of different colors. This is something any trip to your local feed store can tell you. Each color represents different things about it.
It may not seem like it now but spring weather will be here before you know it. All of the ice and snow (if you get any) will melt away and things will become green again. Normally it is a good thing when forages start to green up but there is a hidden danger with the new green growth. It is a danger that can strike without warning and severely lower your cow’s production. This danger is known as grass tetany.
Doing a soil test can be a very effective tool in a producer’s toolbox. It can tell you the kind of nutrients available as well as the amounts that are present. Really it is the foundation of any plan to improve the output of your pastures.
Having the right replacement heifers is important for the long-term profitability of any ranch. It is necessary to be able to rotate the breeding stock out to improve the overall genetic gene pool. Also, cows will get to a point where they will be too old to breed anymore. Â When this happens you will need to have new stock ready to take their place.
Knowing when to assist with calving can be a very tricky matter. It requires a delicate balance between not acting too quickly and not reacting too late. Finding this balance can require a lot of experience and maybe a little bit of luck.
A feed tag is a very informative but often overlooked item on a commercially produced feed. Other than looking at the Crude protein or maybe the energy content not many people really look at them. With some of the confusing numbers and such listed on them, it is understandable how that can happen.
Calf scours is something that is concerning for all cow/calf producers. It causes more financial loss to producers than any other health problem in their herd. It can come out of nowhere and spread throughout your herd much like wildfire. The main issue with this disease is that it can be confusing for some people.
Colostrum is one of, if not the, most important thing for newborn calves. It lays the very foundation for their health and well-being throughout the remainder of their life. Through the dam, the calf takes in all of the antibodies it will need to fight off disease. But what if they are not able to get it from their mother?
A good pasture is the foundation of any profitable livestock operation. It provides the forages needed to not only sustain but also allow the livestock to grow. Having enough forages for all of the animals is important to keep your feed costs down to a manageable level. However, keeping a pasture at this level can be a little complicated.
