Page 2 of 39

Skyrocket cattle growth with protein tubs and smart feeding

Skyrocket cattle growth with protein tubs and smart feedingProtein 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.

Maintaining an adequate protein level in the diet is vital for your cattle. It is needed to keep the optimal function of rumen microbes. These microbes are what break down the complex carbohydrates that are found in dry forage. With this optimal protein level, the rumen can adequately digest poor-quality forages.

When developing a cost-effective supplement program, there are two things to identify. The first is to determine the nutrients or nutrients that are limited. The next is how to provide that supplementation at the lowest cost possible. There are many options when it comes to supplements, including using protein tubs for your animals.

Continue reading

Stress-free weaning: how to actually boost calf performance

Stress-free weaning: how to actually boost calf performanceAs the days grow shorter and the weather turns cooler, the upcoming fall processing period takes on a significant role in your operations. This is the time when most producers, including you, will be running their cows through the chutes and weaning the spring-born calves from their mothers. It’s a crucial phase that sets the stage for the future of your herd.

Much like during the spring, this can be a hectic time for producers. With all of the doctoring and separation that is going on, it can take a lot of work to keep track of what is going on. However, there is a better time to slouch when it comes to your calf crop.

What you do here can determine the productivity of your fall calves. Calving will be stressful for them, so whatever you can do to alleviate as much of that as possible will be helpful. Here are five steps that you can follow to get your calves going in the right direction.

Continue reading

How to actually prepare your herd’s nutrition for winter

How to actually prepare your herd's nutrition for winterNutrition significantly affects your herd’s health during the cold winter months. Producers should plan ahead for their fall and winter forages to meet this need. There are many factors to consider when figuring out how much hay will be needed.

Primary inputs like grain, fertilizer, and even fuel can become terribly expensive. What’s even scarier is that these prices only appear to be going down for a while.

While looking at using a hay bale, many people tend to look at the upfront cost. While this may be good initially, it is not always best to be the only way. You will want to examine how much that particular will cost per unit of energy or protein.

Continue reading

How to really support cows during fall calving season

How to really support cows during fall calving seasonNutrition is essential year-round. Everything hinges on the cow’s nutritional needs being met, from putting on weight for the market to reentering the reproduction cycle. However, meeting these demands can be complicated.

The fall of the year can be a problem for producers. Even if you had forages growing, their overall quality declines drastically during this time of year. As the forages mature, they become more fibrous, their crude protein level decreases, and they become less palatable. If a producer has his herd calves in the fall, the problem becomes even more of an issue.

The issue with having a fall-calving herd is that the quality of forages decreases as her nutrition needs increase. The critical thing to remember is to meet the cow’s nutritional demands. It may seem impossible, but that is not the case. With some proper planning, it is possible to avoid having this become an issue. Continue reading

How to better choose and raise productive heifers

How to better choose and raise productive heifersWhat is the proper strategy for heifer development for my cowherd? Many producers have asked themselves how to do heifer development right. Developing a replacement heifer is one of the most expensive management decisions a producer will make. Making this decision can have long-term impacts on your herd’s profitability.

You should consider the expenses involved in developing heifers when deciding if you should buy or raise them. Look at your specific production environment to determine your most cost-effective system. Both of these are important for those females’ long-term profitability and longevity. A producer should also look at the ages and production of the cows that they currently have in their herd.

Developing a heifer to replace a future cull cow is one of the most expensive management decisions you can make. What you decide here can have significant implications on long-term profitability. Here are some things for you to consider when going over this.

Continue reading

Soil testing 101: a rancher’s guide to better yields

Soil testing 101: a rancher's guide to better yieldsSoil testing, often overlooked, is a powerful tool in range management. Understanding your soil’s fertility and nutrient composition is critical to informed decision-making. Instead of relying on guesswork, soil testing empowers producers to make targeted fertilizer applications, maximizing their resources and improving forage production.

Soil fertility and health are the bedrock of forage production. By increasing forage production, the need for costly supplements is reduced. This cost-saving potential, coupled with improved soil health, underscores the importance of soil testing for producers, providing a sense of financial security.

Improving pasture health, productivity, and longevity doesn’t have to be daunting. The practical first step is soil testing, a straightforward process that can often be overlooked in the midst of daily tasks. Here are five practical tips to help producers get the most out of their soil tests and make the process more manageable.

Continue reading

Prepare Your Cattle Now for a Trouble-Free Winter

Prepare Your Cattle Now for a Trouble-Free WinterWinter can be a challenging season for cattle, but with the proper preparation, you can keep your herd healthy and thriving. As the cold months approach, it’s crucial to plan for everything from proper nutrition to shelter. By taking proactive steps today, you can avoid costly problems and ensure your cattle make it through winter in top condition. Now, let’s delve into what you must do to set your herd up for success.

Given this issue, producers will need to be resourceful and efficient with their supplements. It’s not just about putting out some feed and hoping for the best. Hay or standing forage intake must be estimated to calculate winter feed needs, and this efficient management is vital to successful winter cattle care.

It can be very tempting to choose the cheapest option, expecting it to be the best option. The goal is to be the most efficient rather than the least costly. Going with the cheaper option can often lead to more costs down the road. Here are four things that you can look to make it through this winter in a relatively good position.

Continue reading

Fall season challenges: how to keep your cattle healthy

Fall season challenges: how to keep your cattle healthyThe fall season can be problematic for a beef producer. As you go into it after a dry, hot summer, the entire herd may be stressed. The combination of high heat, short grass, and low water tanks can stress cattle and make them more prone to disease.

This time of year can be a problem for all of your cattle. At the end of summer, the cows are likely pulled down to a thin body condition because of lower-quality forage and nursing calves. Your bulls are worn out from breeding and may also be on the light side. A typical situation during this time of year is that the calves deal with the most stressful time of their lives during weaning.

Producers can effectively prevent or minimize health problems in the fall by reducing stress. This proactive approach, achieved through providing adequate nutrition and improving sanitation, can significantly mitigate the risk of diseases. Below is some information about four diseases you might encounter during this time of year, along with the preventive measures you can take.

Continue reading

Prepare for your calving season: start testing now

Prepare for your calving season: start pregnancy testing nowEarly pregnancy detection is a powerful tool for increasing profits in your herd. As a producer, knowing early if your replacement heifers or cows are bred can save you a significant amount of money by preventing the wastage of supplements for non-producing cows.

While it may not seem like it, the cold nights of calving season will be here before you know it. Now is the time to start preparing for the arrival of the 2025 calf crop. September is a good month for pregnancy testing your cow herd. Finding out which cows are pregnant and which are not will keep you from feeding a cow all winter, only to find out she will not provide a calf.

Understanding the two categories of pregnancy detection tests, direct and indirect, empowers you to make the best choice for your needs. Whether it’s feeling or seeing the pregnancy directly or using chemical markers like blood tests, the decision is in your hands.

Continue reading

Shrinkage in cattle: what you need to know

Shrinkage in cattle: what you need to knowUnderstanding shrinkage is a crucial aspect of managing your cattle. It’s not just a reduction in sales weight, but also a potential decrease in the price you’ll receive. However, with the right knowledge, you can make informed decisions and mitigate its impact.

The thing is that some shrinkage is to be expected, but too high of levels can indicate a problem. Abnormal levels of shrink can often be used as a health indicator for calves. Places like receiving facilities at stocker operations, grow yards, and feedlots use this to determine which calves may need more care.

Experienced buyers and sellers in the cattle market are well-versed in the concept of shrinkage. They use this knowledge to make fair adjustments in cattle pricing. As a cattle owner, understanding the factors that contribute to shrinkage will help you negotiate fair prices for your cattle.

Continue reading

« Older posts Newer posts »