Minerals for Cows Everywhere you turn, input costs keep creeping up, slowly and steadily. Feed, medicine costs, fencing, and basic supplies for cattle producers are increasing. Often times the first sacrifices that producers make are vitamins and minerals for cows. Cows require vitamins and minerals for various essential physiological functions to support overall health, growth, […]
Category: Nutrition Articles
A Producer’s Guide to Grass Tetany
Spring might seem like an eternity away. Across the U.S., temperatures have dipped well below zero, and there’s a blanket of snow over most of the country. However, spring is on the way. With its arrival, cattle producers will be thinking about turning their cattle out on nice green pastures. Spring grazing is always an […]
BioZyme’s Guide to Cattle Reproduction: A Healthy Digestive System is the Foundation for Reproductive Success
By Chris Cassady, Ph.D., Senior Manager of Beef Technical Sales, BioZyme® Inc. It’s no secret that reproductive success is the most influential factor determining profitability in beef production. If a cow doesn’t produce a live calf, the operator is left holding the bag of her annual production cost without an opportunity for a return. Considering […]
Listen to What your Cattle Tell you they Need
Sixth & Final in a Series based on 1980s Ads Featuring BioZyme® Founder Wouldn’t it be nice if livestock could tell you what they need and when they need it? For instance, when the grass is greening up and cows are being turned out to pasture, if cow number 782 could say, “Mr. Producer, I am […]
Eating Right is Important for Cattle, Too
Fourth in a Series based on 1980s Ads Featuring BioZyme® Founder Who doesn’t enjoy a properly prepared, balanced meal? For some, an ideal dinner might include a juicy, grilled steak packed with zinc, iron, protein, amino acids and multiple B vitamins, a green leafy salad filled with fiber, Vitamins A & C, a baked potato, that […]
Fetal Development in Beef Cattle
One of the most rewarding days of the year for cow-calf producers is sale day. However, watching a calf crop grow from calving to weaning brings many challenges. Braving the blowing snow to save a calf from the ice and cold to ensure survival to make it to the sale barn is a challenge. Waiting […]
Amaferm® – A wise investment, not an extra cost
Chris Cassady, Ph.D., BioZyme® Inc., Beef Technical Sales Manager Profitability in beef production is dependent upon output revenue exceeding input costs. Elevated calf prices have pushed gross returns yet profit margins have shrunk due to the rising cost of production. A general rule of thumb is that at least 60% of your operational expenses are […]
Feed Additive Categories: What Exactly Do They Mean?
Feed Additive Categories: What Exactly Do They Mean? Chris Cassady, Ph.D., Beef Technical Sales Manager, BioZyme® Inc Global food demands continue to outpace available resources. Consequently, producers are continually asked to “do more with less” as urban sprawl, regulations and consumer concerns continue to add pressure to the agricultural industry. Animal performance is a major influence […]
Importance of a Year-Round Supplementation Program
Chris Cassady, PhD, Beef Technical Sales Manager, BioZyme® Inc., St. Joseph, MO Cow nutritional requirements fluctuate throughout the annual production cycle. For spring calving herds, most calves have been weaned and cows are in midgestation. Collectively, this current timepoint represents the lowest nutritional requirement for that cow. Available forage quality decreases at the same rate […]
How Today’s Cow Nutrition Impacts Next Year’s Calf Crop
By Chris Cassady, Ph.D., BioZyme Inc. It’s well established that the nutritional requirements of cattle fluctuate throughout the year and depend on the production cycle of the cow. Although the nutritional cost for maintenance remains somewhat constant, there are many factors that influence these added nutritional “taxes.” Growing heifers have elevated needs to support their […]
