Imagine cattle herds grazing tall, nutrient-rich grasses year-round, with no worry of snow cover or dormancy. Although this utopic scenario sounds pretty great, it’s just too good to be true here in cow country, U.S.A. A majority of the land producers have to graze on during winter months is mature, dormant forage that is low […]
Tag: How To
Tips to Manage Cold Stress for Calves
It’s never too early to start planning how you’re going to get your newborn calves off to a thriving start, especially in the coldest months of the year. If you are 30 to 60 days away from calving, you need to start now to ensure that your calf crop will have the nutrients it needs to get a jump […]
The Real Cost of Limiting Nutrients
– Dr. Les Anderson, Beef Extension Specialists, University of Kentucky Fall is rapidly approaching, and all cow-calf producers need to access the body condition score, or BCS of their herd. Spring-calving cows are weaned off and the fall is the most economical time to put weight back on. Now is also a key time to […]
How to Get Cows Bred Back the First Time
Bringing a new life into the world is perhaps one of the most exciting moments ever. However, it can be one of the most stressful too, because no matter how many books you read or classes you take, there is nothing to prepare you. That statement is true for humans, but even truer for the […]
A Guide to Selling Stockers
For cow-calf producers who spring calve, now seems like a logical time to market weaned calves. You’ve invested time and resources into breeding the cows, raising the calves and getting them weaned. Those cows should be bred back, and the cycle continues. But, is this really the best time to sell? Like any good business […]
4 Tips to Prepare for a Successful Calving Season
You made breeding decisions months ago and have been patiently waiting for nine more months to see the outcome of your diligent planning. Yet, researching and plotting breeding decisions is only half the battle. When calving season comes, it is time to plan all the important details that help deliver your calf crop and ensure […]
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 Making Quality Hay
Fresh forage is one low-cost, high-nutrient source of feed for beef and dairy cattle, sheep and horses. However, with a surplus of forage and some land and environmental factors that prohibit grazing fresh forages, making hay is a resourceful way to harvest and store valuable forages for a later time when feed resources become scarcer, […]
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, […]
Increased Nutrient Requirements for Cows in Winter
Old man winter has arrived in much of the U.S., which means colder days as many producers are preparing for calving season. And just as the temperatures decrease, the cows’ nutrient requirements can increase. “During extreme cold, the cows’ nutrient requirements can increase up to 10-25%,” said Lindsey Grimes-Hall, BioZyme® Inc. Nutrition and Field Sales […]
