If you were to look at any operation you will find that feed costs are in the top 5 expenses. Feed costs often occupy the #1 spot in out-of-pocket expenses. With it being such a large initial expense it is usually the first to go when the budget starts to get tight. Here are some things to consider when developing a feeding program for your cow herd:
Correct Stocking Rate is Essential
Using the right stocking rate is necessary if efficiency and economy are goals of your program. The purpose of supplementing cattle is to correct a nutrient deficiency in your forages, NOT replace them. The quantity and quality of available forages has as much to do with the success or failure of your supplement program as anything. If you are not working with the available land then your expenses will increase but your income may not.
Nutrient Requirements must Match the Environment
Your cow’s requirements to maintain a good BCS must match with what the forages can produce. Their interaction can play a significant role on the overall feed costs. If your cow requires more than what the forages provide it will cost you more money. We all would like to have heavy big frame animals going to market but if the forages can’t feed her then it would require more feed.
Match Production Phase with Correct Season
The production period with the greatest nutrient demand, calving and lactating, should be at the same time of the greatest nutrient availability. Generally as forages mature their quality goes down. Here in Texas forages are at the highest quality during spring and early summer months. That is why most have their calving during this time.
When should I Start Feeding?
This is kind of a tricky scenario. You don’t want to start feeding to early but waiting too long could cost you. If you wait too long you will be attempting to regain lost weight. To do this you will have to exceed what her requirements are and even then all she may be doing is putting fat on. This is when your experience as a rancher and knowledge of your cattle and resources will have to come into play.
Look at Actual Cost, Not Just Overall Cost
Too many times people just look at what the feed will cost by either the bag or the bulk price when making a decision on what feed to use. Purchasing feed should be done on a $ per pound of nutrient basis not just the $ per ton or cwt. The reason for this is because though some feedstuffs may cost less than others but they could require you to feed more of it to meet the same amount of nutrients. Corn may be cheaper than range cubes but you would have to feed more of it to match the %CP.
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