Weaning time is once again upon us. It is a magical time where everything runs smoothly. Also absolutely nothing wrong ever….. sorry, I couldn’t bring myself to finish that sentence. The problem with that previous line is that anyone in the cattle business will tell you it’s the opposite. It can be a very stressful time for both the cattle and the rancher.
Stress in cattle can be displayed by increased vocalization, reduced feed intake. The most well known is calves just pacing up and down the fence line. The issue with stress is that it can lower the immune system’s ability to fight off diseases. It may not seem like much but it can reduce daily gains, increase health problems. and even cause death.
No matter what type of weaning strategy that you use there are ways to maintain your calves performance. This can happen while also reducing the chance of illness. Preparing calves in advance of taking them away from their mommas has benefits that are well worth the effort. Here are three steps that you can use to help your calf crop wean successfully.
Prescribed burning, also known as controlled burning, is for lack of a better term just a fire that you have set intentionally. Despite the fact that the word “fire” often brings up negative images of nothing but destruction a prescribed burn can be a good thing. It is a management tool that is used by land managers and land owners to improve the diversity of their vegetation. It can also be used to control any invasive plants that are present in your pasture.
Trich, or the more scientific name Trichomoniasis, is a very serious economic problem for cattle producers. Some of the problems that it can cause are a reduced calf crop as well as lower weaning weights. It can cause this because it making your breeding cows infertile and possibly causing a longer breeding season.
Having profitable cattle is the goal of many a producer. But when exactly does a cow become profitable? We have all heard the statement that it takes 6-7 years for a breeding cow to pay for herself, right? What if I told you that is not always the case.
It is weaning time again out on the range. This is the time of year that you as a rancher get to see the fruits of your labor. Labors such as with your breeding programs. But that does beg the question about success.
Salt as you may know is one of the important building blocks for cattle. This, along with other minerals, are necessary for cattle to perform at their best.
Having to feed supplements is necessary sometimes in cattle operations. That being said it is not something that most ranchers like to do. Feed costs remain the single largest expense for any cattle producer. The amount really depends on different things but it can easily be half of the total annual expenses.
Hay bale season is in full swing now. It is during this time of year that everyone is out cutting and baling hay for winter. In truth pretty much everyone is more than likely on their second cutting. While everyone is focused on the making the bale part not many are planning for how they will store them.
With summer arriving treating pinkeye is an issue many cattle producers will face. As things get drier it means more dust which means an increase in eye irritants.
A summer pasture can be a producer’s greatest resources for his cattle. When managed correctly it provides all of the nutrients your cattle need going into fall breeding season.
