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5 simple ways to get your pasture spring ready

February 22, 2024 / Robert Malmstrom

5 simple ways to get your pasture spring ready Spring is almost around the corner. The temperatures will soon rise, and the grass will begin to grow again. For most people, pasture management comes to mind when temperatures rise, but that is not necessarily the case. It is vital to get a start on it now.

It is never too early to develop a plan for preparing your pastures for spring. Starting now can give you enough time to get everything you need to make it work. Also, springtime can be a very hectic time for most producers, with the calving season kicking into high gear, so it is good to get started now.

The preparation you do now can set you up for success all year long. Here are five things you can do to get your pasture started in the right direction.

The truth about what roughages actually does for cattle

February 18, 2024 / Robert Malmstrom

The truth about what roughages actually does for cattle Roughages are an essential but often overlooked part of a cow’s diet. Most of the time, people only focus on things like crude protein, energy, and possibly even mineral content. While those are vital for the overall production of cattle, roughages play just as important a role. Consuming a certain amount of roughage is essential to keep the rumen functioning, thus allowing the digestion of things like protein, energy, and minerals.

The rumen, mainly the microbes, needs to be taken care of if the animal is to produce. The purpose of the rumen is to degrade complex structural fibers found in plants. When it does that, it then metabolizes them to make the nutrients that the animal needs. In order to keep them going, the microbes need to be fed just like the animals themselves.

The quality and availability of roughages can directly impact the success of a cattle ranch. There are many factors that can affect the quality of roughages. Things like rainfall, stage of maturity, and how they are managed can all affect the quality.

How to get the most out of creep feeding

February 14, 2024 / Robert Malmstrom

How to get the most out of creep feeding Creep feeding can be an excellent tool for improving the overall weaning weight of your calves. Thus, it can be a good management and economical option for improving your bottom line.

There are many factors to consider when looking at creep feeding, such as calf prices, the price of the feed itself, and the labor you are able to commit to it. Since this is not a one-and-done type of thing, it is something that you will have to look at every year. This reason is because the factors involved, such as market prices, will change from one year to the next.

It is essential to look at the factors that will matter to you because, like many other things that are involved with raising beef cattle, it is not a blanket option. What works for one operation will not always work for another.

So, what are the options that you should look at when deciding to start creep feeding? Here are some things you can look at to determine if it is right for you.

Mesquite: 5 proven steps to getting it under control

February 10, 2024 / Robert Malmstrom

Mesquite: 5 proven steps to getting it under control Mesquite trees are the most popular “trash” tree out there. Mostly, that popularity is due to the excellent BBQ wood that it provides. Despite its ability to supply us with some superb firewood, it poses some problems for range managers.

Now, do not get me completely wrong on this. Despite being viewed by some as a poor-quality rangeland plant, mesquite does have some benefits. One such benefit is that it can provide food and cover for wildlife and livestock. Also, since it is classified as a legume, it has the ability to fix nitrogen back into the soil.

Despite the above benefits, it can easily dominate rangeland if left unmanaged. In the process of doing that, it will choke out any grass that you may have in the pasture. What that means is that there will be less for your animals to eat. With it also being a very thirsty plant, it will also suck your place dry if you let it get out of hand.

A disclaimer is needed here, so the thing to remember is that complete eradication is unlikely, not to mention unnecessary, but getting them under control is possible. Here are five steps that you can follow to gain better control of your pastures.

A really simple beginner’s guide to cattle salt blocks

February 6, 2024 / Robert Malmstrom

A really simple beginner's guide to cattle salt blocks Salt blocks are available to producers in a variety of different colors. This variety is something any trip to your local feed store can tell you. Each color represents different situations in which they are needed.

The specific color of the block will tell you two things about it. The first is what kind of nutrients are present in the block. The second is what kind of use it is intended for. Such as the yellow sulfur block or the basic white salt block; there are many different options to go with.

With the different varieties out there, it can be confusing as to which block is best for you. Not to mention, much information on the subject can be confusing and conflicting. The one that is best for you will depend on what mineral(s) are deficient in your particular option. Also, what you want to accomplish will also play a factor in this decision.

How to take the worry out of grass tetany

February 2, 2024 / Robert Malmstrom

How to take the worry out of grass tetany It may not seem like it now, but spring weather will be here before you know it. All of the ice and snow (if you get any) will melt away, and forages will become green again. It is usually good when forages start to green up, but a hidden danger comes with the new green growth. It is a danger that can strike without warning and severely lower your cow’s production. This danger is known as grass tetany.

With the warmer weather and the winter moisture, your grasses out in the pasture will start their “Spring Greenup,” and things will start to look good again. It is during this time that forages come out of their dormant stage and begin growing rapidly again.

Though it may seem like the greatest time of the year, with all of the green across the pasture, it is not without its challenges and concerns. During this time of year, a particular problem known as grass tetany can cause issues with your cowherd.

For those of you not in the know, you may be asking, “What is grass tetany?” “What kinds of problems can it cause my operation?” and “How do I treat or even prevent it from happening?“. In regard to those questions, here are some things you should consider.

How to retrieve the most from your soil test

January 29, 2024 / Robert Malmstrom

How to retrieve the most from your soil test A soil test can be a very effective tool in a producer’s toolbox. It can tell you the kind of nutrients that are available and the amounts that are present. Really, it is the foundation of any plan to improve the output of your pastures.

Knowing the amount of nutrients present can be beneficial when it comes to choosing what type of fertilizer to use. If correctly done, soil sampling and testing can indicate the types and amounts of fertilizer and lime that you should put out. With this knowledge, you can make the most economical decision.

Now you may be asking how it is that you can do a soil test properly. Well, here are some points that you may want to consider:

How to improve selecting replacement heifers the right way

January 25, 2024 / Robert Malmstrom

Having suitable replacement heifers is vital for the long-term profitability of any ranch. It is necessary to be able to rotate the breeding stock out to improve the overall genetic gene pool. Also, cows will get to a point where they will be too old to breed anymore. When this happens, you must have new stock ready to take their place.

When it comes to having replacement heifers, there are two ways you can go: buy or raise them. Most producers tend to grow their own, but buying them can also be an option. When it comes to deciding which to go with, like with any choice, it is crucial to weigh the pros and cons to determine which is best for your situation.

Selecting the most economical source for your replacement heifers is vital to you. There is no point in going with an option that will only cost you more money in the long run. One of the first things you must do is look at your current facilities. Here are some things that you can look at when deciding on either to buy or raise:

How to correctly know when to assist with calving

January 21, 2024 / Robert Malmstrom

How to correctly know when to assist with calving Knowing when to assist with calving can be a very tricky matter. It requires a delicate balance between not acting too quickly and not reacting too late. Finding this balance requires a lot of experience and a little bit of luck.

If you help too early, there is a chance that you will not need to help at all. Also, you run the risk of injuring the cow as well as the calf. Not to mention, it can impair the bonding process between mom and baby.

Waiting too long can have dire results as well. There is a particular possibility that you will lose both the calf and its momma at the same time, not to mention the expensive veterinary bill if it gets to the point of needing surgery to get the calf out.

So, to help you find the right balance between when to take action or not, I have provided some information to get you on the path to success.

How to actually understand what the feed tag says

January 17, 2024 / Robert Malmstrom

How to actually understand what the feed tag says A feed tag is a very informative but often overlooked item on a commercially produced feed. Other than looking at the Crude protein or the energy content, not many people really look at them. With some of the confusing numbers and such listed on them, it is understandable how that can happen.

Attached to every bag of feed is this little colored tag. Nowadays, many regional or national feed companies now provide the same information on their websites. Tags contain vital information such as the product weight, guaranteed analysis, list of ingredients, and feeding instructions. The feeding instructions tell you how best to use the product.

Initially, what is on the feed tag can be overwhelming, but the information is typically pretty to the point. Now, if you have ever looked at one and felt that you needed a Ph.D. to understand, fear not, for I am here to help. I will give you a breakdown of each section and its meaning.

West Texas Livestock Growers