Agriculturalists are the original stewards of the land. When they take care of the land, it in turn, takes care of them and the animals that graze it. Grass is the key component in any grazing operation, especially in the summer. Tall fescue is the most widely adapted forage in the U.S. It is a […]
Category: Management Practices
How Shortening Your Calving Intervals Impacts Profitability
When it comes to your cow herd’s reproductive performance, shortened calving intervals should be a proactive part of your management protocol. But, did you know that the fewer days you calve each year, the more profit potential you are looking to add back into your pocket book? There are several ways that shortening your calving […]
Health and Nutrition are Keys to Prevention
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And for one progressive cattle producer, doing things the right way the first time is worth keeping his cow herd healthy and performing. The Boyd family has been raising registered cattle in north central Kentucky for more than a century. Charlie Boyd II along with […]
A Guide to Anaplasmosis in Your Cow Herd
Anaplasmosis is a wide-spread concern to the U.S. beef industry. Cattle in nearly every state are impacted by the blood-borne disease that with proper management can be controlled within your herd. “With animal diseases like Anaplasmosis, it is very important for cattle producers to have a good working relationship with their veterinarians,” said Kevin Glaubius, […]
Turning Pastures into Profit Doesn’t Have to be a Gamble
“You’ve got to know when to hold ’em; know when to fold ’em.” If the lyrics of this age-old Kenny Rogers song, “The Gambler” sound familiar to you, you might be in the cattle business. But, with proper planning, adequate resources and some helpful advice, you can reduce the gamble, and turn existing pasture land […]
Seedstock Operation Relies on Minerals, Protein to get Cows Rebred
The mother cow is the foundation of a profitable cow-calf enterprise. Making sure she gets bred, delivers and weans a calf each year is critical for her to maintain her position in the herd. But she can’t do it alone. Progressive cattle producers like Kevin Jensen, Courtland, Kan., know the importance of taking care of […]
Developing a Year-Round Mineral Program
Many producers can take for granted the importance of a well thought out mineral program. The purpose of developing a yearly mineral supplementation program is to help balance the macro and micro mineral requirements of cattle to keep them healthy and maintain optimal performance. However, what is best for one producer’s operation isn’t necessarily what […]
How to Prepare a Health Management Plan for your Stockers
Just like any group of livestock you are handling, you need a solid health management plan for your stocker cattle. After being freshly weaned from their mamas or hauled in by a semi, these young, stressed cattle can be more susceptible to sickness than older calves. Knowing what kind of cattle you’ll be getting and […]
Nutrition is Vital to Successfully Breeding Back First-Calf Cows
Multi-tasking is never easy. Imagine the life of a 2-year-old heifer just turned mama cow. She’s still growing and maturing herself. Now, she’s given birth to a 70-pound calf that depends on her as its sole nutrition source, and in 45-60 days needs to be ready for rebreeding for her second pregnancy. To make sure […]
How to Overcome the Challenges of Feeding on Wet Ground
It seems like ol’ Mother Nature hasn’t held back this fall when it comes to rainfall. Some parts of the U.S. are 20-30 inches above their normal precipitation for the year, with still a good six weeks left on the calendar. Harvest has been a challenge in many parts of the country, as has been […]
