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Don’t Hold Back Your Soil Test

Don't Hold Back Your Soil TestDoing 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.

I don’t have to tell you that knowing this information can be very helpful when it comes to choosing what type of fertilizer to use. If properly done soil sampling and testing can indicate the types and amounts of fertilizer and lime that you should put out.

Now you may be asking how it is that you can do a soil test properly. Well here are some points that you may want to consider:

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When to Assist in Calving

When to assist in calvingKnowing when to assist in calving can be a tricky matter. It requires a delicate balance between not reacting too quickly and not reacting too late. Finding this balance can require a lot of experience and maybe a little luck.

If you help too early there is a chance that you did not need to help at all. You also run the risk of injuring the calf as well as the cow.

Waiting too long can have very dire results. There is the certain possibility that you will lose both the calf and it’s momma at the same time.

So to help you find the right balance of when to take action or not I have provided some information to get you on the path to success.

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Introdution to Balancing a Ration

Introduction to balancing a rationBalancing a ration correctly is one of the most important tools in a producer’s toolbox. Because feed costs are the major cost  producing beef it can make or break an operation. Making the most efficient use of the feed put out is of utmost importance. It can make the difference between you being profitable or taking a loss,

When you balance a ration you are supplying the proper amount as well as proportions of nutrients that the animal will need. The thing to remember is that we are not just providing “feed”. We are supplying what is needed for growth, reproduction and body maintenance.

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Which Color Salt Blocks is Best?

What color salt blocks is best?Salt blocks come in a variety of colors, as any trip to your local feed store will tell you. The specific color of the block will tell you two things about it. One of those is what kind of nutrients are contained in it. The second one is what kind of use it is intended for.

With the different varieties out there it can be quite confusing as to which block is best for you. The one that is best for you depends on what mineral(s) are deficient in your particular operation.

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6 Tips for Colostrum Replacer

6 tips for colostrum replacerUsing a colostrum replacer or supplement can be a very confusing matter to figure out. Now ideally every one of your new calves will get up and start nursing on their own. Unfortunately we don’t live in an ideal world.

There are some times that you will need to provide assistance to the new born to get them on the right foot. This can come in the form of providing a colostrum replacer. If you find yourself in that situation here are 6 tips that can help you get the most effective use out of it.

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5 Tips for Calving Season

5 tips for calving seasonIt is that time of year again: Spring Calving season. Calving season can be one of the busiest times of year for cattle producers. Along with being busy it is also one of the most important times of the year.

What happens during this time can have an impact on the overall health and performance of your calves. The steps that you take here can be the difference between an increased profit or just another year of barely getting by. So it is important that you do calving season right.

With everything that you will have going on there are many things that can go wrong. So I’ve compiled a list of 5 things that you can do to help ease some of the stress that comes with this season.

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5 tips for bull selection

5 tips for bull selectionSelecting a bull is one of the most important decisions that a cow/calf producer will make. This is because that one animal will have such a large impact on your herd’s genetics going forward.

In a single sire herd the bull will account for half of all of the genetics that will be present in your calf crop. The last 3 herd sires that you use will represent about 87% of your calf crop’s genetic make up. This will include any replacement heifers that you use as well as any potential future sires if you decide to keep them.

With the importance that the bull will play it is critical that you select the right one for your operation. Here are 5 tips that you can follow:

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Heifer Development 101

Heifer Development 101Heifer development can be one of the most challenging yet also rewarding tasks that can occur 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.

What makes this challenging is the cost of producing theses heifers takes place before you will get any return. This can be risky for some producers because you are spending money on the hopes that she will be able to “earn her keep”. This may be challenging but that doesn’t mean that it has to be difficult. If you plan your heifer development right it can be a very simple procedure.

Here are some steps that you can follow to make this much easier for you and your sanity:

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The Unconventional Guide to Weaning

The Unconvenional Guide to WeaningWeaning time is upon us again. As anyone in the cattle business will tell you it is a stressful time- for both cattle and the producer.

Stress in cattle can be displayed by increased vocalization, reduced feed intake, and calves walking the fence line. The issue with stress is that in can lower the immune system’s ability to fight off disease. With this it can cause reduced daily gains, increased health problems, and even death.

No matter what type of weaning strategy you use there are ways to maintain performance and reduce the chance of illness during this stressful time. 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 follow to help your calf crop succeed.

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The Dummies’ Guide to Prescribed Burning

The Dummies' Guide to Prescribed BurningPrescribed burning, also known as controlled burning, is basically a fire set intentionally. Despite the word “fire” generally brings to mind very negative images a prescribed burn can be a good thing. It is a management tool used by land managers and landowners to improve diversity of their vegetation. It can also be used to control any invasive plants that are present in your pasture.

When used along with other management methods prescribed burning can be used to improve the overall health of your pasture. Getting the most of out prescribed burning takes more than just setting some fires. To ensure the safety of both you and your neighbors it requires some serious planning.

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