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How to know when to supplement with protein tubs

October 10, 2023 / Robert Malmstrom

How to know when to supplement with protein tubs Protein supplements are often needed during the fall and winter months. This need is because, during this time, most of your tame pasture forages go into dormancy. When this happens, things like their protein content will go down.

Maintaining an adequate protein level in the diet is vital for your cattle. It is needed to keep the optimal function of rumen microbes. These microbes are what break down the complex carbohydrates that are found in dry forage. With this optimal protein level, the rumen can adequately digest poor-quality forages.

When it comes to developing a cost-effective supplement program, there are two things to identify. The first is to identify the nutrients or nutrients that are limited. The next thing to know is how to provide that supplementation at the lowest cost possible. There are many options that you can go with when it comes to supplements, including using protein tubs for your animals.

5 instructive steps to start calves the right way

October 6, 2023 / Robert Malmstrom

5 instructive steps to start calves the right way You can feel it in the air; the days are getting shorter, and the weather is getting cooler (maybe). It will soon be the time that most producers do their fall processing. They will be running their cows through the chutes, and for any spring-born calves, they will be weaning them from their mommas.

Much like during the spring, this can be a hectic time for producers. With all of the doctoring and separating that is going on, it can take a lot of work to keep track of what is going on. However, there is a better time to slouch when it comes to your calf crop.

What you do here can determine the productivity of your fall calves. Calving will be stressful for them, so whatever you can do to alleviate as much of that as possible will be helpful. Here are five steps that you can follow to get your calves going in the right direction.

How to plan out enough hay for this winter

October 2, 2023 / Robert Malmstrom

How to plan out enough hay for this winter Nutrition significantly affects your herd’s health during the cold winter months. In order to meet this need, producers should plan ahead when it comes to their fall and winter forages. There are many factors to consider when figuring out how much hay will be needed.

To add insult to injury, this year has also seen commodity prices reach the highest it has ever been. Primary inputs like grain, fertilizer, and even fuel are getting terribly expensive. What makes it even scarier is that these prices only appear to be going down for a while.

While looking at 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 look at how much that particular will cost per unit of energy or protein.

How to secure the nutrition needs of fall-calving herds

September 28, 2023 / Robert Malmstrom

How to secure the nutrition needs of fall-calving herds Nutrition is one of those things that is essential year-round. Everything hinges on the cow’s nutritional needs being met, from just putting on weight for the market to reentering the reproduction cycle. However, meeting these demands can be complicated.

The fall of the year can be a problem for producers. Even if you had forages growing, their overall quality declines drastically during this time of year. As the forages mature, they become more fibrous, their crude protein level goes down, and they become less palatable. If a producer has his herd calves in the fall, the problem becomes even more of an issue.

The issue with having a fall-calving herd is that the quality of forages goes down as her nutrition needs increase. The critical thing to remember is to meet the cow’s nutritional demands. It may seem impossible, but that is not the case. With some proper planning, it is possible to avoid having this become an issue.

How to actually develop heifers for long-term profitability

September 24, 2023 / Robert Malmstrom

What is the proper strategy to develop replacement heifers for my cowherd? How to develop heifers is a question many producers have asked themselves. Developing a replacement heifer is one of the most expensive management decisions a producer will make. Making this decision can have long-term impacts on your herd’s profitability.

You should consider the expenses involved in developing heifers when deciding if you should buy or raise them. Look at your specific production environment to determine your most cost-effective system. Both of these are important for those females’ long-term profitability and longevity. A producer should also look at the ages and production of the cows that they currently have in their herd.

Developing a heifer to replace a future cull cow is one of the most expensive management decisions you can make. What you decide here can have significant implications on long-term profitability. Here are some things for you to consider when going over this.

Soil test: 5 tips on how to do it right

September 20, 2023 / Robert Malmstrom

Soil test: 5 tips on how to do it right Performing a soil test is one of the most underutilized range management tools. Knowing your soil’s fertility and what nutrients are provided is crucial. Often, producers just put out the same fertilizer they always have and hope for the best.

Soil fertility and health is essential for forage production. When forage production is increased, that means there is less need for providing supplements. When you have to provide fewer supplements, that means less cost for you, the producer. Do you see the importance of taking care of the soil?

In order to improve pasture health, productivity, and longevity, a producer must take a practical first step. This first step is where doing a soil test comes in. However, this often gets put on the back burner as producers deal with the everyday tasks of caring for their land and livestock. Here are five tips to get the most return from your soil test.

How to plan now to make it through winter

September 16, 2023 / Robert Malmstrom

How to plan now to make it through winter Winter this year is going to be a rough time for producers. Worries about the continuing drought and how it has affected forage production have taken a large part of our thoughts. Because of this, there will be limited to no stored forage available to feed cattle this winter.

Due to this issue, producers will need to be more efficient with their supplements. It will not be feasible just to put out some feed and hope for the best. Hay or standing forage intake must be estimated to calculate winter feed needs.

It can be very tempting to go with the cheapest option, expecting it to be the best option. The goal is to be the most efficient rather than the least costly. Going with the cheaper option can often lead to more costs down the road. Here are four things that you can look to make it through this winter in a relatively good position.

Ultimate fall herd health- Common problems to look for

September 12, 2023 / Robert Malmstrom

Ultimate fall herd health- Common problems to look for The fall season can be problematic for a beef producer. As you go into it after a dry, hot summer, the entire herd may be stressed. The combination of high heat, short grass, and low water tanks can stress cattle and make them more prone to disease.

This time of year can be a problem for all of your cattle. At the end of summer, the cows are likely pulled down to a thin body condition because of lower-quality forage and nursing calves. Your bulls are worn out from breeding and may also be on the light side. A typical situation during this time of year is that the calves deal with the most stressful time of their lives during weaning.

Producers can prevent or minimize health problems in the fall by reducing stress. You can do this by providing adequate nutrition and improving sanitation. Below is some information about four types of diseases you might encounter during this time of year.

How to use early pregnancy diagnosis to make better decisions

September 8, 2023 / Robert Malmstrom

How to use early pregnancy diagnosis to make better decisions Early pregnancy detection with your herd is a tool that producers can use to increase profits. It is essential for a producer to know early if their replacement heifers or even cows are bred. Knowing this bit of information can save you a lot of money from wasting supplements for cows that are not producing.

While it may not seem like it, the cold nights of calving season will be here before you know it. Now is the time to start preparing for the arrival of the 2023 calf crop. September is a good month for pregnancy testing your cow herd. Finding out which cows are pregnant and which are not will keep you from feeding a cow all winter, only to find out she will not provide a calf.

When it comes to pregnancy detection tests, there are two categories: Direct and Indirect. Feeling or even seeing the pregnancy are considered direct methods. Using chemical markers such as blood tests fits the indirect category. As with anything, you should look at all the options and choose the one that best fits your needs.

How to control calf shrinkage to reduce profit loss

September 4, 2023 / Robert Malmstrom

How to control calf shrinkage to reduce profit loss Shrinkage is a genuine concern when it comes time to sell your calves. This concern is because it is a reduction in the sales weight, which means a reduction in the price that you will get. Of course, some price adjustments are standard in order to compensate for varying shrinkage and gut fill.

The thing is that some shrinkage is to be expected, but too high of levels can indicate a problem. Abnormal levels of shrink can often be used as a health indicator for calves. Places like receiving facilities at stocker operations, grow yards, and feedlots use this to determine which calves may need more care.

Experienced buyers and sellers in the cattle market are well aware of this trend. They use this knowledge to make adjustments so cattle are priced accordingly. In order to get fair prices for your cattle, it is a good idea to know the factors that go into shrinkage.

West Texas Livestock Growers