Cattle Chat: Knowing when to feed hay

K-State beef cattle experts discuss ways to best meet the winter nutritional needs of the herd MANHATTAN, Kan. — When training for a sports competition, athletes often match their dietary requirements to the training regimen. In a similar way, a pregnant beef cow’s nutritional demands increase as she gets closer to the birth event, said the experts at the Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute on a recent Cattle Chat podcast. “As the cows move…

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Cattle Chat: Long-term gestational impacts

K-State beef cattle experts discuss how nutrition and stress in utero impact animals for a lifetime MANHATTAN, Kan. — During pregnancy, regular checkups are key for mother and baby to maintain good health. The same is true for beef cattle, according to the experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute. “In the case of replacement heifers, research has shown that if their diet was restricted when they were in utero, there can be…

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Forage Sampling Procedures

Warren Rusche Assistant Professor & SDSU Extension Feedlot Specialist Proper sampling of forage is essential if we want to obtain an accurate indication of the nutrient composition, dry matter content, or value of any feedstuff. Correct sampling and analysis is even more important under conditions that might increase feedstuff variability, such as challenging growing conditions. Sampling procedures vary depending upon the type of forage and whether or not sampling occurs pre-harvest or after…

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Winter Grazing Offers Unique Challenges

 Victor Shelton, Retired NRCS State Agronomist/Grazing Specialist Unrolling hay on pasture. A good option if soil conditions are good. I’ve enjoyed several good autumn days and quirked, “it can just stay this way and then turn nice,” but, winter is coming. I do enjoy the different seasons with each providing some traditional features, but my least favorite season is probably winter. Don’t get me wrong, there are some beautiful winter days – pristine,…

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Don’t Let “Feed Price Sticker Shock” Paralyze your Management

Kevin Laurent – Extension Specialist, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of KY With current feed prices, if there was ever a time to test your hay it is this year! The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said, “The only constant in life is change” and boy have things been changing lately. Given all the negativity that seems to catch the headlines, there has been some positive changes in the cattle markets.…

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