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.
Reduce your stocking rate.
Reducing the number of cows is a viable option in conditions like we have experienced. What you are doing is reducing the demand for the forages, allowing them to be more productive. As with most things, it is how you reduce your stocking rate, depending on how well you can bounce back. You will need to follow a system rather than just picking some cattle to get rid of.
Introducing stocker calves into your regular stocking rate can enhance your flexibility. A flexible stocking rate is indispensable in conditions like droughts and bad markets. When conditions are favorable, you can increase your stock; when they turn unfavorable, you can reduce it just as swiftly. This adaptability allows you to sell stockers when forage production is limited, reducing the number of culls you need to make.
Selling your replacement heifers should also be considered during this time. Though they may have potential, they will only provide a marketable calf for a year. Not to mention that they are still growing, which means that they will need more nutrition than a mature cow.
Culling the right way
It’s important to cull the no longer productive cows to manage your herd through the winter. Start by identifying the older cows that aren’t keeping up with the investment you’re putting into them. These cows often need more care but don’t provide enough in return, making them good candidates to remove from the herd. By culling wisely, you can reduce the number of cattle to a manageable level for winter.
As the fall calving season approaches, providing your cows with extra nutrients is vital to ensure their strength and health. Feeding them properly is critical to managing the physical demands of calving while maintaining good conditions for the winter. Prioritizing the most productive animals during this time is essential to maximize the return on your resources. For more detailed strategies on this, refer to my previous post, ‘How destocking can ease your pain.‘
Even if you have plenty of acreage, it doesn’t always mean you can support a large number of cows. Factors like brush overgrowth and rocky areas can reduce the actual grazeable land, limiting your herd’s access to essential forage. Understanding your land’s actual carrying capacity is crucial in ensuring your cattle have enough to eat throughout winter. If you want to learn more about estimating your grazing capacity, take a look at my post, “Estimating your grazeable acreage.
Plant cool-season grass for winter
Cool-season forages can help reduce how much hay you need during winter and early spring. You can extend your grazing season from November to May, depending on which species you go with. If you go with this, the key is to let them establish before you turn the cows out. Letting them get 6-8 inches before grazing will provide excellent forage for use during this time. Forage will reduce the amount of hay needed.
Depending on how you choose to plant them, you will want to plant them 4-6 weeks before the first killing frost. Here in Texas, that usually happens in November. Whenever you are going to be planting, it is always a good idea to do a soil test to know what nutrients are needed. Phosphorus is necessary if you are starting out. A good phosphorus fertilizer will promote vigorous root growth.
Going with this option is best for your younger growing animals. Stocker calves, replacement heifers, first-calf heifers, etc., will benefit from the extra nutrition. You can limit graze to 2 hours per day for your fall-calving cows. Or for 4 hours every other day during winter as a protein and energy supplement. Expense makes it unsuitable for mature, dry cows.
The Texas AgriLife Extension Service has a paper with some tips on how to get your cool-season forages started on the right foot.
Calculate the amount of hay needed.
In this step, you will want to inventory how much hay you currently have. After that, you will want to determine how much you can feed daily for the expected period. You may not need to purchase more hay if you can only provide as little as 10 pounds of hay per cow per day.
In determining how much hay to use, it will be essential to consider the quality of the hay. Higher-quality forages have more significant concentrations of certain nutrients. This more substantial concentration means that animals eating it will more likely be able to meet their nutrient needs just from the forages. The drawback is that higher quality will increase intake. Consumption of low-quality forages will amount to 1.5% of body weight. In comparison, consumption of high-quality forages will amount to 2% of body weight.
To know what is being provided, you should test your hay. In order to determine what your cows will require, you will need to see the quality of what you are providing them. Knowing the nutrient output is also essential, so you will see if you need to give some other supplements like range cubes.
Develop your winter supplement program.
Now that you understand the nutrients in your forage and hay, it’s time to set up a winter supplement program. The goal here is to “fill in the gaps” of what’s missing rather than applying a one-size-fits-all supplement approach. Targeting specific nutritional needs can ensure your cattle stay healthy throughout winter without overspending on unnecessary supplements.
The type of supplement you choose will depend on the resources you have on hand. Consider factors like Tripp hoppers, feed bunks, and how much time you can dedicate to feeding. Each of these options can affect the type of supplements you use and the distribution method. Being mindful of what’s available will help you streamline the process and save time.
Remember to factor in your time and effort while calculating the cost of supplements. After all, you don’t want to be doing all this extra work for free! Make sure to include your labor when determining how much your supplement program will cost, ensuring you’re adequately compensated for the time and energy spent caring for your herd.