The cool, crisp mornings are a hint that fall is just around the corner. And for cattle operations, that means one thing – shipping time is quickly approaching. Shipping your cattle might seem like an easy task. Get them penned up, load them up and send them on their way. However, keeping your calves healthy and as low-stress as possible during this […]
Tips for Marketing Feeder Calves
As Summer slowly gives way to Fall, the daylight hours get shorter each day. It also means time is nearing for those who graze and background calves to finalize their marketing strategy for the year. Several marketing options exist for those who have backgrounded their calves. They can sell them privately, take them to the […]
5 Tips to Keep Protein Cost Effective
The two most vital nutrients in a cow’s diet are energy and protein. Energy plays a vital role in the reproductive and lactation process, calf growth, weaning and overall performance. However, without the proper amount of protein in the diet, the amount of energy and all other nutrient intake and absorption levels can be impacted. […]
Tips for Forage Testing
Cattle producers are continually looking for ways to cut expenses and increase profits; they’re no different than any other good business operator. Andy McLaughlin owner of McLaughlin Cattle has found one simple and efficient way to cut some of his feed costs down while ensuring his cow herd gets the nutrition it needs during the right production […]
Vita Charge® Clench Launched to Assist with Scours
Our livestock can’t always tell us how they are feeling, until it’s too late. And oftentimes they “show” us they are not feeling their best through diarrhea and scours. When these symptoms occur, you want to make sure your livestock get properly treated to feel their best, so they continue eating, drinking, looking and performing […]
The Power of Protein: How to Determine Your Cow Herd’s Needs
Protein is a powerful nutrient for your cow’s digestive system and rumen to function properly. However, spending money on protein supplementation may not always be the best investment a cow-calf producer makes. You need to know when to supplement protein and how much to provide your herd to make it a wise investment in your […]
Every Animal has Value: Keeping Cull Calves Profitable
Each fall when you go to market with your weaned calves, it seems like there are a handful of outliers in your calf crop that could cost you some premiums. But don’t dismay; there are ways to find value for every calf that you’ve produced; it might just take some extra time or some different […]
Take the Stress Out of Weaning
A high-quality, healthy calf crop doesn’t just happen. It takes well-planned matings, caring for gestating and lactating cows with proper nutrition and management, and a low-stressed, healthy weaned group of calves. Producers know that perhaps the most challenging aspect of that equation is reducing the stress during weaning time, but one progressive seedstock operation in Central Illinois has found a […]
A Three-Step Approach to Successful Weaning
If you are a cattle producer who has raised kids, there are a lot of similarities, especially when it comes to challenges. Think about weaning time and compare it to the first few days of sending your littles to pre-school. Who sheds more tears? At weaning, it could be a toss-up as bawling calves missing […]
How to Get Weaned Calves a Healthy Start
Freshly weaned calves are a lot like small children starting their first day of preschool. They’re learning a new routine in a different environment and eating from a new menu all while being without their mamas for the first time. That equals a lot of stress, which can lead to sickness, going off feed and […]
