Winter is finally here, though here in Texas, it doesn’t feel like it too much. But with this time of year, producers will put hay out to feed their animals. Depending on how you get it, hay is typically one of the cheaper options when it comes to supplements.
An issue we currently face across most of the country is that the amount of hay available this winter will be low due to the dry conditions. The Texas AgriLife extension service says that the hay crop this year will be bleak due to the extremely dry conditions and the high costs of inputs like fertilizer. Though you may have to stretch your inventory, hay is still a better option, all things considered.
Under normal conditions, hay that is bought is brought in and fed without issue. Using hay is a normal cycle that many produce know well. It would be best if you also kept an eye on things. The “sticker price” of the hay is generally the 1st thing people look at when buying hay, but there are other costs to consider. Here are four potentially added costs that you need to keep in mind.
A breeder is an essential part of the future of the cattle industry. The products they make, i.e., calves, can determine the genetic potential of a beef herd. This genetic potential is why it is vital to do business with a reputable one.
The bulls in your herd need as much care and attention during this time of year as your cows. You must take steps during this time to ensure they are ready for the next breeding season. It is always a good idea to get started now so you will have plenty of time to make adjustments.
Hay is an essential part of any winter feeding program. It is used to supplement cattle’s nutritional needs when forages become dormant. However, when it comes to feeding harvested forages, you need to know what you have in order to understand what to provide.
Deciding which cows to cull is a challenging task for most producers. Sometimes, their personal feelings about that particular animal get in the way. There are even sometimes, they need to know which ones are underperforming and which ones need to be kept.
Heifer development can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding tasks on the ranch. The very basis of your future depends on your ability to develop the young heifers into productive mothers. But these challenges do not come without problems.
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.
What is the proper strategy to develop replacement heifers for my cowherd? 
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.
