Forages are not created equally, but fortunately for producers there are ways to analyze the make-up of the forages to see how to best utilize them for livestock in various stages of production. “Forage testing helps us meet the bottom line on profitability,” said Isaiah Shnurman, owner of SP Genetics & Shnurman Sire Services at […]
Is She Ready? Ideal Body Condition Prior to Calving
Regardless of the time of year when calves hit the ground, you want to make sure you and your cows are prepared. Now is the time to provide quality nutrition to bred heifers and cows. Producers should be focused on ensuring their body condition can support a healthy pregnancy both in young females and mature […]
Understanding The Nutrient Value of Your Hay
Taking hay samples is one step that can ensure the nutrient requirements of your animals are being met. By having a general idea of the quality of your forage, it will enable you to provide the lowest cost ration possible to meet your performance expectations. There are two ways you can take hay samples: with […]
Prepare Fall Calving Cows with Proper Nutrition
Fall calving is on the horizon, and it is important to keep the nutritional needs of the cow herd top-of-mind. As cows enter the last stage of gestation and prepare to calve, their nutritional needs are at her highest. During the last trimester, 75% of the calf’s growth takes place, the organs mature and “brown […]
Get Weaned Calves Straightened Out Quicker
Sometimes the biggest challenges to livestock production are out of our control, but as producers we still look for ways to work around those obstacles. That is the case for one cattle operation in Northeast Louisiana where heat and humidity are at a peak as they approach weaning time. “The humidity down here is the […]
Fall Calving Offers Advantages to Your Cow Herd
Fall calving offers several advantages that the cow-calf producers can utilize in their management programs. A key advantage is that cows will spend their last days of gestation grazing more lush summer pastures and will typically calve at a higher body condition – something to keep in mind when developing a feeding program for those […]
Feed Smarter During Drought
Every year Mother Nature wreaks havoc on various regions with drought. Drier than desirable conditions challenge livestock producers who depend on forages for their cattle to graze during the summer months; however, with proper planning your cattle and your bank account can survive the drought. There are several options for producers looking to survive drought. Cull and […]
Considerations for Buying Feeder Calves
Health. Source. Genetics. Size. Condition. All of these are factors that cattle buyers should take into account when buying their next load of calves to background on grass or put into a feedlot. A healthy calf is going to eat and grow more efficiently so health is of the utmost importance. Be sure to know […]
Natural Insect Control Options for Cattle Producers
As Spring transitions to Summer, and the days get warmer, flies become more bothersome. Cattle producers should know that in addition to the traditional chemical methods to keep flies and other insects at bay, VitaFerm® offers natural insect control methods as well. VitaFerm HEAT™ includes garlic, to deter insects. The garlic will change the smell […]
BUB Ranch Develops Sound, Functional Bulls in the Ozarks
Holly Meyer understands what it takes to develop a sound, functional, fertile bull for her customers. And although she faces what some producers might see as obstacles – the heat and humidity of the South along with the challenges of grazing on fescue, Holly and her family have mastered the art of breeding cows and […]
