Tag: fall

What you need to know to improve forage production

What you need to know to improve forage productionGrazing management in the fall can have an impact on your future forage production. The intensity of your grazing animals determines what state they will be in. Also, grazing during the winter may be limited depending on what forages you have available.

Having to feed during the winter is one of the most significant expenses for a livestock producer. Supplements have always been a little pricey, especially with low crop production. With the intense drought we have experienced across most of the country, hay has also become expensive if you can find any.

But there is hope. Grazing during this time is possible, but it will require good planning. Things like stockpiling forages for winter use are an alternative to limit your costs. But what about in the spring? You can take steps during this time to help that you will have grasses come the next growing season.

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How to secure the nutrition needs of fall-calving herds

How to secure the nutrition needs of fall-calving herdsNutrition is one of those things that is essential year-round. Everything hinges on the cow’s nutritional needs being met, from just 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 goes down, 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 goes down 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.

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Introducing the reasons you should provide supplements this fall

Introducing the reasons you should provide supplements this fallHard to believe that we are almost to September, which means that summer is almost over. The temperatures are going to be getting cooler (somewhat), and the days are getting shorter. Fall is undoubtedly a time of year when a lot of transitioning will be going on. Now is also the time to be thinking about what supplements to provide for your cattle.

Most people are focused on weaning their calves at this time of year. They are also looking to get their cows rebred for next year’s calf crop. With all of these changes, there is also a change that is going on with your cattle’s nutritional requirements.

Because of these increases in your herd’s nutrition needs, it is essential for you to have a supplement program in place during this time of year. As you may have noticed, your forages are changing as well. With these changes, they may not provide all the nutrition you need. Here are some reasons for you to feed supplements this fall.

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The importance of nutrition for fall calving

the importance of nutrition for fall calvingNutrition is one of those things that is important year-round. From just putting on weight for the market to reentering the reproduction cycle everything hinges on the cow’s nutritional needs being met.  However, meeting these demands can be a little complicated.

The fall of the year can be a bit of 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 goes down, and they become less palatable. If a producer has his herd calve in the fall this makes the problem even more of an issue.

The issue with having a fall calving herd is that the quality of forages does down as her nutrition needs increase. The important thing to remember is to meet the cow’s nutritional demands.  It may seem like it can be impossible that is not really the case. With some proper planning, it is possible to not have this become an issue.

Continue reading

Why you should provide supplements this fall

why you should provide supplements this fallHard to believe that we are almost to September. which means that summer is almost over. The temperatures are going to be getting cooler (somewhat) and the days are getting shorter. This is certainly a time of year when a lot of transitioning will be going on. Now is also the time to be thinking about what supplements to provide for your cattle.

At this time of year, most people are focused on weaning their calves. They are also looking to get their cows rebred for next year’s calf crop. With all of these changes, there is also a change that is going on with the nutritional requirements of your cattle.

Because of these increases in your herd’s nutrition needs, it is important for you to have a supplement program in place during this time of year. As you may have noticed your forages are changing as well. With these changes, they may not provide all of the nutrition that you may need. Here are some reasons for you to feed supplements this fall.

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4 Fall Herd Considerations

4 fall herd considerationsWith fall and cooler weather right around the corner it is important to giver your cows their best chance going into winter. Good winter management practices contribute to healthy and productive cattle. It also plays a part in keeping feed costs reasonable.

As with other seasons a cow’s nutrient requirements are different during this time of year. Of course what the requirements are depends on what production cycle you have them on. If you are on a spring calving timeframe then they will need requirements met in order to grow the calf inside her. This is on top of her normal needs as well as keeping her body warm during the colder times of the year.

But fear not, this article is here to help. There are some things that you can use to get your cattle on the best foot going to winter. Here are some things that you can do to help your cows going into the later part of the year:

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