How to actually measure pasture forage intake of livestock

How to actually measure pasture forage intake of livestock

As esteemed cattle producers, your expertise is invaluable in understanding the critical role of measuring pasture forage intake. Your knowledge and experience in properly assessing the amount of forage consumed by grazing animals is essential to optimizing their nutrition and overall well-being. It allows us to make informed decisions about grazing management, pasture utilization, and livestock nutrition planning.

Your effective measurement of pasture forage intake not only helps maximize the use of available resources and prevent overgrazing but also plays a crucial role in maintaining the sustainability of grazing lands. By understanding and quantifying our livestock’s forage consumption, we can tailor management practices to promote healthy growth and efficient feed utilization. Your actions, as experienced cattle producers, can significantly contribute to the environmental sustainability of our operations.

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The practical guide on how to actually control cedar

The practical guide on how to actually control cedarCedar, more accurately known as juniper, can be tricky to control. It is a very aggressive woody plant that grows here in Texas as well as in other places. It is often considered invasive because, if left unchecked, it can quickly take over a pasture, choking out any grass growth.

Along with quickly taking over a pasture, it is a very thirsty plant. They can soon suck a spring dry leaving you with no water. I knew a rancher near here that when he started removing cedars on his place, he had a spring start producing water again.

While controlling cedar is possible, it is not a one-and-done type of thing. It will take many applications to get this little pest under control.

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How to choose the best mineral supplement possible

How to choose the best mineral supplement possibleUsing a mineral supplement is one of cattle management’s most important yet overlooked parts. Sure, we all are concerned with the amount of protein or energy we are getting, but what about meeting their mineral needs?

Though cattle need minimal mineral supplements, this can significantly affect their overall production and well-being. Selecting the correct mineral supplement is necessary for optimal growth and reproduction health.

When mineral requirements are not being met, cattle do not perform as efficiently as possible. One problem here is that the signs of a deficiency may only be visible once it becomes a severe problem. When that happens, getting them back to where they need to be will cost a lot.

When a deficiency is present, you will see things like decreased weaning weights, reduced milk production, and lack of cows being bred, to name a few. Many signs of deficiency are the same with different minerals, so it may take time to pinpoint which ones they need.

But what type of mineral supplement should I provide? I may not be able to tell you exactly which one will work because I do not know your operation. However, I can give you some tips to consider when deciding which one will work best for you.

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Simple way to determine the worth of a hay bale

Simple way to determine the worth of a hay baleUsing a hay bale to supplement your cattle is a tried-and-true method that many producers use. It is reasonably priced compared to other feedstuffs, though the quality can vary depending on many factors.

While using a hay bale, many people tend to look at the upfront cost. While this may be good initially, it is not always best to be the only way. You will want to examine how much that particular will cost per unit of energy or protein.

Like with other feedstuffs, it is always a good idea to break down the price into simple units to compare apples to apples. Though a hay bale may look like a good deal initially, it may not be. Once you have broken down the price into those units, you will find it will cost you more.

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How to choose a stunning fence the right way

How to choose a stunning fence the right wayThere is one constant in the livestock industry: If you have animals, you will have to build a fence. Fencing is a barrier to keeping your animals where you want them and keeping predators out.

It has been said that good fences make good neighbors, and that is undoubtedly true. As a responsible animal caretaker, it is your responsibility to keep them out of your neighbor’s place as well as get out on the road and cause an accident.

When it comes to fencing, there are many options, and that can be confusing to someone who doesn’t have much experience with it. Now, which is the best to go with? Well, that is up to the individual, but here are some things for you to consider the next time you are shopping for a new fence.

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How to be better at dealing with pinkeye in cattle

How to be better at dealing with pinkeye in cattlePinkeye is a very common as well as a highly contagious disease in cattle. Once it shows up, if you do not take proper steps immediately, it can quickly affect all of your cattle.

It can occur year-round, but it is mainly a seasonal affliction. This disease usually increases in spring, peaks during summer, and then decreases during the fall. This cycle is because, like most bacteria, it prefers warmer weather to cold.

It can be very labor-intensive to treat, and as I mentioned a couple of lines ago, it can spread quickly if not taken care of in time. No matter the severity, it is best that you quarantine all of the cattle that have it so you can prevent it from spreading to the others.

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How to actually decipher the disinformation about sulfur blocks

How to actually decipher the disinformation about sulfur blocksSulfur salt blocks have generated a love/hate relationship among many cattlemen. Some love them and swear by them, while others feel they are a waste of money. It can be a bit of a headache to understand either side truly.

The ones who love them say that it helps with external parasite control. While sulfur powder has been shown to help in that area, there is no evidence, as far as I’m aware, that the block does that.

As with everything, there are pros and cons to using them. While there is some benefit to feeding sulfur, one must also be careful. You need to weigh the options yourself and decide if it could work for you.

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4 simple ways to get fertilizer costs under control

4 simple ways to get fertilizer costs under controlFertilizer costs have increased significantly over the last few decades, even more so over the last couple of years. For example, nitrogen fertilizer has doubled in just the last two years. With the way things are going, it does not look like they will change for the better any time soon.

Commercial fertilizer is the most expensive input in warm-season forage production. Since this is a costly resource, we need to use it efficiently. This action will ensure that a producer can optimize the return on the investment for the most profits.

I will tell you that when it comes to efficiency, that does not mean being the “cheapest.” Going with the lowest cost in the long run can actually end up costing the most. Here are four ways to optimize what fertilizer you put out while reducing forage production costs.

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Important things to know about Bovine Leukemia virus

Important things to know about Bovine Leukemia virusBovine Leukemia Virus is a hidden but damaging infection. In fact, it could be in your herd right now, and you would likely not even know it is there. It already has a significant impact on the cattle industry at large.

This virus has already caused significant losses in the cattle industry, though currently more in the dairy industry than in the beef one. Your more direct cost will be due to loss of production, veterinary expenses, as well as replacement costs from the death of affected animals. Some of your indirect costs will be from loss of revenue due to the restrictions placed on your operation. A large Northeast slaughter plant that processes 350,000 cattle each year will condemn about 2,000 carcasses due to this disease.

Once it appears in your place, the ability to get rid of this disease will differ from herd to herd. The primary determining factor will be the producer’s ability to prevent it from horizontally transmitting. Having a good herd health plan in place will go a long way in preventing this from being catastrophic.

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5 simple ways to get feed costs under control

5 simple ways to get feed costs under controlFeed costs remain the single most significant expense for any cattle producer. Depending on different factors, this expense can easily be half of the total annual expenses for a rancher.

Now, that amount can vary depending on the time of year and forage conditions. In a drought situation, feed costs can total 70% of the total yearly costs of raising cattle. It may seem challenging to reduce feed costs without sacrificing production.

Some would have no problem with that, but the profitable producer knows that productivity is the key to a successful operation. But all is not lost. There are five steps to reduce feed costs without sacrificing productivity.

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