Steve Boyles, OSU Beef Extension Specialist Young-bred heifers and young cows that have just weaned their first calf should be fed separately from the mature cows in the herd. The young animals are smaller, still growing, and are replacing their temporary teeth. They may be pushed away from feed by cows in their prime and settle for what hay is left and is likely of lower higher quality. The results of feeding young…
By Caitlin Hebbert, Livestock Consultantand Ryon Walker, Ph.D., Livestock Consultant In the article “Nutrient Synchrony: Protein and Energy Working Together,” we discussed how protein and energy act synergistically in the rumen to booster animal performance: Each requires the other for peak function. We also mentioned how winter supplementation often consists of a protein supplement but that protein is not always the limiting nutrient. In this article, we will talk about both protein and energy supplementation and how…
By Robert Wells, Ph.D.Livestock Consultant How would you like to save $15 per cow on your winter feeding bill? What if I said you could easily do it by making one timely change to what you are feeding your cows grazing on native grass pasture? Many people only buy one feed type during the winter. This mindset may be costing a 50-head cow herd the equivalent of the value of a $750 calf. Remember…
Brad Schick, Nebraska Extension Educator Grazing corn residue can be very beneficial to the cow and the producer’s bottom line. Photo credit Troy Walz. There are 8 lbs of grazable dry matter per bushel of corn.Leaf and husk make up 39.6% of the dry matter in corn residue.Intake on corn residue fields will be close to 2% of bodyweight.Check questionable fields for excessive corn before grazing. Having corn stalks to graze is a…
Steve Niemeyer, Nebraska Extension Educator Basic grazing infrastructure for livestock includes fencing, water, and a method of controlling grazing activity. Photo credit Steve Niemeyer The goal of any grazing operation is to introduce the cow or calf to forage in adequate quality and quantity for their needs. A majority of cattle operations in Nebraska use pasture or native range for grazing during the growing season and crop residues or harvested purchased feed for…
SDSU Extension Written by Roger Gates, former SDSU Extension Range Specialist. Winter feed represents one of the largest costs for a livestock production enterprise. Grazing pasture that has been stockpiled for winter use is a rational alternative to limit costs resulting from both harvest (or purchase) and feeding of hay. Allocation of feed resources available from winter pasture is simplified to a degree because the quantity available can be determined as the winter…
Sean Kelly SDSU Extension Range Management Field Specialist With much of South Dakota experiencing drought conditions this past summer and now continuing into fall, the opportunity for winter grazing may be very limited or not available at all. A ranch manager must try to ensure that enough residual plant height and vegetation cover of the soil surface is available through the winter to aid in recovery of the rangeland. In order to capture…
K-State experts advise careful monitoring for best health outcomes in newly weaned calves MANHATTAN, Kan. — Parents and pediatricians often work together to determine the signs of illness in little ones too young to talk, and the same can be true of cattle caretakers and veterinarians as they work to keep newly weaned calves healthy. “It is important to take time to observe the calves when they come up to the feedbunk,” said…
Jeff Lehmkuhler, Associate Extension Professor, University of Kentucky Fall is officially here and with it will bring the country sound of calves bawling as weaning occurs on beef cattle farms. This time of year can be busy with field crops, getting the last cutting of hay and other farm activities. Take some time to prepare for weaning of the beef calves to add value to the calf crop prior to marketing. Weaning preparation…
Olivia Amundson SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist In a previous article, Capitalizing on Cow Costs, reducing feed costs to improve cow efficiency was discussed. To continue the conversation, another area of cost reduction is in cull cows, bulls and calf death loss. Cull cows and bulls as well as calf death loss in the herd can play a significant role in profitability. Producers need to determine their profit margins and decide what options or…