Tag: grazing (Page 1 of 3)

3 important tips to have the best summer mineral

3 important tips to have the best summer mineralWhen it comes to mineral supplements, people tend to focus only on either spring or fall. During these times of the year, cattle go through their highest demands. But even though that is the case, you should still pay attention to your cows’ mineral needs during the rest of the year.

Summer is the breeding season for most people, so ensuring your cattle meet their mineral requirements is also essential. To determine your cattle’s mineral requirements, consult with a veterinarian or a nutritionist. Studies have shown that cattle that are deficient in minerals are less likely to breed back on time or at all. So, isn’t it vital that their needs are met?

Summer is what you may call a “transitioning” period. Grasses are starting to mature and move into their seeding stage during this time. As they grow, their nutritional value also decreases. As I mentioned, since it is also the breeding season, your cow’s dietary needs are increasing during this time.

So, how can you make the most impact with your mineral supplementation? Here are three tips that you can follow:

Continue reading

Simplistic ways to improve your pasture you need to know

Simplistic ways to improve your pasture you need to knowMaintaining your pasture during the summer is a crucial task that requires your diligent attention. In a matter of minutes, it can transition from adequate moisture to extremely dry. As a manager, your role is pivotal in preventing your pasture from suffering too much.

Though I don’t know how it is where you are in West Texas, keeping pastures productive can be challenging during this time. Mother Nature seems to have not wanted to cooperate with you for most years and has held back the needed moisture.

While you can not control the weather, you can take steps to give your forages a fighting chance. Practices like rotational grazing and maintaining the correct stocking rate can significantly improve your pasture’s health. Here are some strategies to consider when facing another dry summer and hoping for a more productive season.

Continue reading

5 simple ways to get feed costs under control

5 simple ways to get feed costs under controlFeed costs remain the single most significant expense for any cattle producer. Depending on different factors, this expense can easily be half of the total annual expenses for a rancher.

Now, that amount can vary depending on the time of year and forage conditions. In a drought situation, feed costs can total 70% of the total yearly costs of raising cattle. It may seem challenging to reduce feed costs without sacrificing production.

Some would have no problem with that, but the profitable producer knows that productivity is the key to a successful operation. But all is not lost. There are five steps to reduce feed costs without sacrificing productivity.

Continue reading

4 helpful strategies to make your cattle mineral effective

4 helpful strategies to make your cattle mineral effectiveMineral supplementation is an essential component of any successful cattle operation. Minerals are the building blocks for growth, reproduction, and basic maintenance. It is important that your cattle get all of the minerals that their bodies need.

The problem is that your forages will only provide some of the nutrients that they need by themselves. No matter where you are located, something will always be lacking. This reason is why providing a year-round mineral supplement is mandatory.

However, deciding what type of mineral you need to provide can be a bit confusing if you do not know what to look for at the feed store. There are many different choices you can go with. There are some that may work, but some are just a rip-off. A producer needs to know what to look for before they make any purchases. Here are some things to consider when making that decision:

Continue reading

5 simple ways to get your pasture spring ready

5 simple ways to get your pasture spring readySpring is almost around the corner. The temperatures will soon rise, and the grass will begin to grow again. For most people, pasture management comes to mind when temperatures rise, but that is not necessarily the case. It is vital to get a start on it now.

It is never too early to develop a plan for preparing your pastures for spring. Starting now can give you enough time to get everything you need to make it work. Also, springtime can be a very hectic time for most producers, with the calving season kicking into high gear, so it is good to get started now.

The preparation you do now can set you up for success all year long. Here are five things you can do to get your pasture started in the right direction.

Continue reading

5 simple ways cattle producers can improve in 2024

5 simple ways cattle producers can improve in 2024A new year is approaching for the cattle industry. Though we have had our issues this past year, like the current market, 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 have little bargaining power when it comes to sales. This lack of control 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 significant impact. Here are five things that you can do today to improve your operation going into the new year.

Continue reading

How to best use winter wheat in 4 easy steps

How to best use winter wheat in 4 easy stepsA wheat pasture is a valuable resource for many cattle operations. This plant is a valuable source of high-quality forage when most other forages are low in quantity and quality. The unique climate in the Southern plains, like here in Texas, can allow producers to use wheat as both a forage and a grain crop. This dual purpose can potentially increase the overall profitability of many operations.

The fall and winter temperatures in this part of the country typically allow for significant growth before winter comes barreling in. Add to that the relatively few snow days we receive, and producers can extend their grazing season while keeping costs relatively low. Producers can see a grazing season that goes for 120-150 days, usually from November 1 to March 1, as a result.

Putting cattle on a wheat pasture is only sometimes a matter of just turning the cows loose on it. You can do some things to be more efficient when using wheat pastures for stocker calves and even cows. Here are four things to consider to get the most bang for your buck.

Continue reading

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.

Continue reading

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.

Continue reading

How to actually bring a pasture back from drought

How to actually bring a pasture back from droughtDrought can be a very devastating thing to deal with. Forages stop producing, making it difficult for ranchers to make it. Drought can make things seem bleak while going through it.

With all this difficulty, it can be easy to fall into “survival” mode during this time. Taking extreme measures and just hoping that things will turn better. But what if I told you there was a different option?

While you may be unable to stop drought from happening, all is not lost. The one thing to remember is that eventually, the rains will come back, so you will need to look ahead. There are things that you can do during this time to ensure that your pasture will bounce back once the rain does return; here are some things that you can do in the meantime:

Continue reading

« Older posts