Balancing a ration correctly is one of the most important tools in a producer’s toolbox. Because feed costs are the major cost producing beef it can make or break an operation. Making the most efficient use of the feed put out is of utmost importance. It can make the difference between you being profitable or taking a loss,
When you balance a ration you are supplying the proper amount as well as proportions of nutrients that the animal will need. The thing to remember is that we are not just providing “feed”. We are supplying what is needed for growth, reproduction and body maintenance.
It is that time of year again: Spring Calving season. Calving season can be one of the busiest times of year for cattle producers. Along with being busy it is also one of the most important times of the year.
Selecting a bull is one of the most important decisions that a cow/calf producer will make. This is because that one animal will have such a large impact on your herd’s genetics going forward.
Heifer development can be one of the most challenging yet also rewarding tasks that can occur 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.
What does weaning success or failure mean to you? This is a tough question to answer because different people will have different answers to this. They can be as varied as the operations that raise cattle.
Feed costs remain the single largest expense for any cow producer. Generally this expense can equal up to half of the total yearly cost of raising cattle. And that is on a good year. If you are in a drought condition this total can go up to as high as 70%. With this in mind it is no wonder that feed costs is usually the main factor to determine if an operation will be profitable or not.
Hay season is upon us! As you have probably been aware now is the time of year when everyone is cutting and baling hay. Though many are only focused on just bailing not many are thinking about how to store the hay.
Well it’s getting to be that time of year again. The days are getting longer and the temperatures are getting warmer…. yep, summer is on it’s way. Now is a good idea to have a summer pasture management plan in place.
Typically when it comes to selling a cull most producers don’t give it much thought. They just take it to the auction barn or packing house and get whatever price they get. If you are wanting to increase the revenue from your ranch then how you sell your culls can not be overlooked.
A beef cattle ranch can be a viable option for people that own a small amount of land. With their rumen cows are able to make use of areas that are only suitable for forage production. However it does come with it’s own challenges as well.
