The two most vital nutrients in a cow’s diet are energy and protein. Energy plays a very key 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 […]
Crucial Creep Feed Considerations
It is a widely known and accepted fact that the purpose of creep feeding is to economically put additional weight on the calves before weaning. Supplementing calves with creep feed is important to their growth, as it provides a source of energy that most calves won’t get while transitioning from nursing to grazing forages. Although […]
How a Supplement Helps Fertility, Fly Control and Forages
England Cattle Company has been raising Brahman cattle for generations in the southern-most “tropical” part of Texas. Mike & Elizabeth “Cricket” England started their operation in the 1980’s on her grandparents’ homestead, and today ranch manager and son, Benton, oversees the nearly 200 registered polled, grey Brahman and commercial F-1 cows. The family understands the […]
Tips for Reduced Stress at Weaning
If you’ve ever had a young child, think back to his or her first days of school. The word that might come to mind is chaos. Learning a new bus or drop-off routine. Do you pack a lunch or eat the school’s hot lunch? Does your sweetie have a book bag? Item for show-and-tell? The […]
How Stocker Operators Can Alleviate Heat Stress
Summer heat takes its toll on your entire herd, with a decrease in performance, the potential for increased sickness and economic losses. But for stocker calves, in their prime growth period, the added stress from heat can magnify those challenges even more so. The degree of heat stress is typically measured by a temperature-humidity index […]
Century Ranch Believes in Keeping Calves Healthy, Growing.
Seeing is believing. And when ranchers see the results of a product that keeps calves healthy, eating and performing, it is easy to believe in that product. That’s why Thaler Land & Livestock at LaGrange, Wyo., believes in the Amaferm® advantage. The ranch, owned and operated by multi-generations, has seen the results of supplementing their […]
How to Reduce Risk with a 3-Step Nutrition Program
Anytime a backgrounder gathers up mixed calves from different farms of origin and puts them together, they are taking a risk. But, with a high-quality nutrition program in place, the risk can be minimized. That is what Kerry Vogt, Newton, Kan., discovered, as he backgrounds nearly 3,000 stockers each year. Vogt, who was talking to […]
Loyal Customer Finds Reward in Healthy Calves
Red Rock Land & Cattle at Logan, N.M., strives to grow fresh weaned calves into strong, healthy yearlings on its expansive New Mexico ranch. Calf health and performance are the top priorities for the family-owned yearling operation that backgrounds calves until they are yearlings. “Our main goal is to get the cattle in, try to […]
VitaFerm Gain Smart Stocker HEAT Helps Hinder Health Challenges on South Dakota Ranch
In the spring of 2017, Melynda Gress of Y-Cross Inc., was looking for a supplement alternative for her backgrounding operation. Located in the northwest corner of South Dakota where she and her family run 800 to 1,000 yearlings each spring and summer, she knew she needed a more natural mineral option for her calves. Two […]
Natural Insect Control
The smallest of creatures tend to be the biggest pests around livestock. The warmer days and hot weather brings out the worst of the flies and other insects each year, and livestock producers continually look for alternative forms of insect control. Cattle producers should know that in addition to the traditional chemical methods to keep […]
