Tag: Ranching Tips (Page 3 of 4)

Skyrocket cattle growth with protein tubs and smart feeding

Skyrocket cattle growth with protein tubs and smart feedingProtein supplements are often needed during the fall and winter months. This need is because, during this time, most of your tame pasture forages go into dormancy. When this happens, things like their protein content will go down.

Maintaining an adequate protein level in the diet is vital for your cattle. It is needed to keep the optimal function of rumen microbes. These microbes are what break down the complex carbohydrates that are found in dry forage. With this optimal protein level, the rumen can adequately digest poor-quality forages.

When developing a cost-effective supplement program, there are two things to identify. The first is to determine the nutrients or nutrients that are limited. The next is how to provide that supplementation at the lowest cost possible. There are many options when it comes to supplements, including using protein tubs for your animals.

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How to better choose and raise productive heifers

How to better choose and raise productive heifersWhat is the proper strategy for heifer development for my cowherd? Many producers have asked themselves how to do heifer development right. Developing a replacement heifer is one of the most expensive management decisions a producer will make. Making this decision can have long-term impacts on your herd’s profitability.

You should consider the expenses involved in developing heifers when deciding if you should buy or raise them. Look at your specific production environment to determine your most cost-effective system. Both of these are important for those females’ long-term profitability and longevity. A producer should also look at the ages and production of the cows that they currently have in their herd.

Developing a heifer to replace a future cull cow is one of the most expensive management decisions you can make. What you decide here can have significant implications on long-term profitability. Here are some things for you to consider when going over this.

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Shrinkage in cattle: what you need to know

Shrinkage in cattle: what you need to knowUnderstanding shrinkage is a crucial aspect of managing your cattle. It’s not just a reduction in sales weight, but also a potential decrease in the price you’ll receive. However, with the right knowledge, you can make informed decisions and mitigate its impact.

The thing is that some shrinkage is to be expected, but too high of levels can indicate a problem. Abnormal levels of shrink can often be used as a health indicator for calves. Places like receiving facilities at stocker operations, grow yards, and feedlots use this to determine which calves may need more care.

Experienced buyers and sellers in the cattle market are well-versed in the concept of shrinkage. They use this knowledge to make fair adjustments in cattle pricing. As a cattle owner, understanding the factors that contribute to shrinkage will help you negotiate fair prices for your cattle.

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How to win the battle against pasture prickly pear

How to win the battle against pasture prickly pearPrickly pear, along with other cactus species, is a pressing issue in pastures. The proliferation of these cacti can impede livestock movement and pose serious health risks.

Prickly pear can rapidly overtake a pasture, choking out more desirable forages. Once established, controlling it is a labor-intensive, long-term endeavor. Complete eradication is unlikely, even with significant effort.

Because of this, they pose a very serious problem for livestock producers wherever they appear. Here are some things to consider before controlling this troublesome plant.

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Announcing the best reasons to supplement cattle this fall

Announcing the best reasons to supplement cattle this fallIt’s hard to believe that we are almost to September, which means that summer is almost over. The temperatures will 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 consider 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. There are various types of supplements, such as protein, mineral, and energy supplements, each serving different nutritional needs. Here are some reasons for you to feed supplements this fall.

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5 simple ways to surge calf growth during weaning

5 simple ways to surge calf growth during weaningWeaning is one of the most critical times for cattle producers. It is a period when all their hard work begins to pay off with an excellent large calf crop. This challenging yet promising time assures long-term benefits and a thriving herd, instilling a sense of optimism and motivation in cattle producers.

It is also considered one of the most stressful times in a calf’s life. During this time, the calf is exposed to various stressors that include being removed from the momma, physiological changes, castration, vaccination, dehorning, and the list goes on. With all of this going on, it is no wonder that calves often suffer from all sorts of maladies.

These various stressors can result in tremendous challenges to the calf’s short-term and long-term health and performance. Studies have shown that calves that get sick or become sick during the first 30 days of weaning typically have lower daily gains and increased costs of growth.

Given the pivotal role weaning plays in a calf’s life, it is crucial to start it on the right foot. The steps taken now can have a lasting impact, underscoring the responsibility and proactive approach required from cattle producers. But how can you ensure this? Here are five tips to guide you in this important task.

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5 simple steps before actually buying protein tubs exposed

5 simple steps before actually buying protein tubs exposedIntroducing protein tubs into your pasture is a convenient way to provide additional nutrition. Once it’s in place, you don’t need to check it daily, which is particularly beneficial for those with other commitments, such as a job in town, who can’t be on the ranch daily.

A benefit it can provide for both the full-time and ‘part-time‘ rancher is that a protein tub can improve the overall grazing in a pasture. You can move them into areas where the cattle don’t usually graze, which we refer to as ‘underutilized areas ‘, to encourage cattle to move to those areas.

Doing your homework before making any decision is prudent when making any investment. So, before you run off to the local feed store, I have five things you can look at before you buy your first protein tub.

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How to really manage a ranch during drought

How to really manage a ranch during droughtDrought can be devastating. Forages stop producing, making it difficult for ranchers to make food. Drought can make things seem bleak.

With all this difficulty, it can be easy to fall into a ‘survival’ mode during this time. This mode often involves taking extreme measures such as selling off a large portion of your herd or drastically reducing feed, just hoping that things will turn better. This ‘survival‘ mode is a state of mind where the immediate crisis takes precedence over long-term planning, and the focus is on short-term survival. However, these measures can lead to long-term adverse effects on your operation. 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:

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Ways to reclaim calf growth with creep grazing

Ways to reclaim calf growth with creep grazingEvery cow/calf producer aspires for calves to gain weight efficiently. Some producers have discovered that a creep system, particularly creep grazing, is a promising way to achieve this goal. Creep grazing, in particular, has the potential to significantly increase calf weight gain, offering a ray of hope for producers. It’s important to note that both methods, creep grazing and creep feeding a concentrate supplement, have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Hence, it’s crucial for the producer to research and choose the method that best suits their needs.

Creep grazing is generally a more cost-effective option than creep-feeding grain. It requires less labor, making it a convenient and financially savvy choice for cow/calf producers. This cost-effectiveness can make producers feel resourceful and smart in their management decisions. However, it’s important to note that while creep-feeding has been extensively studied, creep grazing is a relatively less explored area. Understanding it may require more effort on the producer’s part, but the potential cost savings make it a worthwhile investment.

Creep-grazing pastures can add pounds to a calf’s weaning weight, just like creep-feeding. However, more than just adding weight to calves is needed to make them profitable. To understand this, the producer must look at things like feed costs and the market to see if they will be profitable. Here are some things to consider when making this decision.

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Destocking: this is how to actually survive during droughts

Destocking: this is how to actually survive during droughtsDestocking is a prevalent practice during a drought. It is rarely easy and will still cost you most of the time. However, drought is a common consequence of ranching, so it will still need to be done. It is important to include plans for when droughts occur so producers are always prepared.

The object of making this decision is to preserve any potential forage growth when the rains come back. It requires maximizing the options available to you by keeping an eye on current and future forage supplies and animal demand. Making these choices early enough will be less severe than waiting too long.

Effective destocking requires a proactive approach. It’s crucial to align your overall goal with your guidelines. Now is the time to take a pragmatic look at your herd. Letting your personal views influence your decisions can end up costing you in the end. Here are some key considerations when looking at destocking:

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