Both sodium and chloride, elements of salt, are essential nutrients for virtually all forms of life. Sodium and chloride are necessary for proper nervous and muscular function, body pH regulation and water retention. Sodium is involved in muscle and nerve function. Chlorine is essential for hydrochloric acid production in the abomasum and for carbon dioxide […]
Tag: Nutrition
How to Shorten Calving Intervals
Optimum productivity should be the goal of each cow-calf producer and that productivity begins with cows producing at least one calf every 365 days. With proper management, including a good health and nutrition program, that goal is easily attainable. Shortened calving intervals – or the time between birth of one calf and the subsequent birth […]
How Loose Mineral Can Save Producers Money
Cattle producers have several options when it comes to mineral supplementation. Various brands exist. There are blocks, tubs and loose mineral. But what is the best option for a producer who wants to make sure he or she is getting the most benefit for the money invested? BioZyme® Inc., makers of VitaFerm® makes both tubs […]
What You Should Know: Three Things Buyers Consider
Information is power. In today’s world, more information is available than ever before on about any topic you have an interest in. For cattle buyers looking to fill their feedlots and backgrounding yards, three pieces of information are essential when it comes time to buy calves: vaccination history, genetic makeup and the nutrition program history. […]
Tips for Forage Testing to Ensure Proper Supplementation
Some livestock producers will tell you they are forage producers and they simply raise cattle to have animals to consume the forage they produce. But it doesn’t matter if you raise hay for your cattle or cattle to eat hay, the most important thing to know is the nutrient content of the harvested forage you […]
How to Increase Herd Health with Prebiotics
Animal health and nutrition are top of mind to livestock producers when it comes to raising a healthy, wholesome product for today’s consumers. That’s why producers are constantly looking for ways to be more efficient and provide natural alternatives to keeping their livestock healthy. A management decision that includes feeding a prebiotic is just one […]
How to Keep Protein Cost Effective for the Cow Herd
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 […]
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 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 […]
