Category: Management (Page 7 of 10)

How to actually manage your bulls with 5 simple tips

How to actually manage your bulls with 5 simple tipsBreeding season is a very important time on the ranch. We begin with the hope of making a new calf crop to keep the ranch going. In order to have a good calf crop, you will need to make sure that all, or at least 90%, of your cows, will be bred.

While many focus on getting their cows ready for this time of year it is also a good idea to get the bulls that you have ready too. After all, 50% of the genetics that each of your potential calves will have comes from just one animal, the bull.

With the important role, they will play you may be wondering just how you can go about making sure that he will be ready to service the cows. Well here are 5 tips that you can follow to do just that.

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How to not worry about accurately selecting replacement heifers

How to not worry about accurately selecting replacement heifersHaving 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.  When this happens you will need to have new stock ready to take their place.

When it comes to having replacement heifers there are 2 ways you can go: buy or raise them. Most producers tend to raise their own but buying them can also be an option. When it comes to deciding which to go with, like with any option, it is important to weigh the pros and cons to determine which is best for your situation.

Selecting the most economical source for your replacement heifers is of vital importance to you. There is no point in going with an option that will only cost you more money in the long run. One of the first things that you will need to do is look at your current facilities.  Here are some things that you can look at when deciding on either to buy or raise:

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How to simplify your life when assisting calving

How to simplify your life when assisting calvingKnowing 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.

If you help too early there is a chance that you did not need to help at all. Also, you run the risk of injuring the cow as well as the calf. Not to mention it can impair the bonding process between momma and baby.

Waiting too long can have dire results as well. There is a certain possibility that you will lose both the calf and its momma at the same time. Not to mention the expensive veterinary bill if it gets to the point of needing surgery to get the calf out.

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

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Are better times ahead for 2023?

Are better times ahead for 2023?2023 is right around the corner. With the current year ending, we are drawn to look back and reflect. As the new year approaches it brings with it the promise of things getting better than what we have experienced.

This year has certainly brought challenges to not just producers but everyone. The continued drought forced many to liquidate their herds at unseen rates. The record-high inflation made it more difficult for people to purchase even necessities. And to top it off the conflict in Ukraine ended up causing inputs like fertilizer to increase to astronomical levels.

I suppose we should spin all of the challenges we have faced into something positive. Just as a calm sea never makes a skilled sailor, stable markets never make a skilled producer. It is in dealing with challenges that we are able to expand our skills and improve. That being said can things finally turn around for us going into 2023? Here are 4 things to look at that could possibly answer that for us.

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5 books to improve your ranch business

5 books to improve your ranch businessEducation is one of the most valuable resources for anyone. It is also the investment that will pay the highest dividend when used correctly. Books are a very good resource for education. The thing to remember is that though you may no longer be in school education does not end during your life.

Being able to produce top-quality beef in today’s world requires a rancher to be a lifelong learner. With the ever-changing world that we live in it is important to stay up to date on things. We are constantly learning more about animal behavior and better low-stress handling techniques. Experience can be the best teacher but using the right books lets you learn from the experiences of others.

With the wide selection of information available out there in books and on the internet, it can be a little confusing trying to find the correct information out there. Here I compiled a list of the 5 best books that could help you in improving your operation.

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5 ways small cattle producers can make an impact in 2023

5 ways small cattle producers can make an impact in 2023A new year is approaching for the cattle industry. Though we have had our issues this past year, like the drought, new opportunities are bound to return. It may not look like it but there are always positives to be found if you know how to look, even in our yoyo industry.

One section of our industry that can be affected harshly is small cattle producers. They do not have the size to absorb any costs that come up. Also, due to their size, they do not have much bargaining power when it comes to sales. This means they often have to take what they can get. They rarely have the resources needed to invest in any improvements in their place.

Being a small producer has its challenges when it comes to managing their herds. Like all producers, they must try to maximize their output without breaking the bank. It may seem that is not possible but there are things that you can do today that will make a big impact. Here are 5 things that you can do today to improve your operation going into the new year.

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5 ways to reduce winter feed costs

5 ways to reduce winter feed costsAs 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.

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4 ways to avoid extra costs with hay

4 ways to avoid extra costs with hayWell, 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.

An issue that we currently face across most of the country is that due to the dry conditions the amount of hay that will be available this winter will be low. The Texas AgriLife extension service says that the hay crop this year will be bleak due to the extremely dry conditions and the high costs of inputs like fertilizer.  Though you may have to stretch your inventory hay is still a better option all things considered.

Under normal conditions hay that is bought is brought in and fed without issue. This is a normal cycle that many produces know well. You should also keep an eye on things. The “sticker price” of the hay is generally the 1st thing that people look at when buying hay but there are other costs to think about. Here are 4 potentially added costs that you need to keep in mind.

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4 ways to picking a reputable breeder

4 ways to picking a reputable breederA 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.

The cattle that will be entering your herd, whether that is the replacements you raise or the ones that you buy will steer what direction your herd goes in the future. It is during times like these are where a producer must make their decisions based on sound business judgment. This is not the time to let emotions get the better of you.

When it comes to cattle buying there is no shortage of sellers. All you have to do is take a quick look around social media to find that out. There are a lot of sellers. But that does not mean that all of them are the right ones to go with. It will be up to you to wade through all of the noise. The key is  to find the one that will be right for you. Here are 4 things that you can follow to make the right choice.

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Importance of taking care of your bull in the offseason

Importance of taking care of your bull in the offseasonThe 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.

Though their job for the year may be done their management does not end. Things like where and how you will keep bulls over the winter months should be considered. It is also a good idea to look at your operation and decide if even keeping him or replacing him is needed.

What you do during this time can impact the readiness of your spring breeding season. If the bull is not in the right shape he will not be servicing the cows. If the cows are not getting serviced then that means that next year’s calf crop will be limited. Here are some things that you can do to make sure that he is ready to go.

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