Tag: Beef Cattle

Pinkeye in Cattle: Catch It Early, Stop the Spread

April 6, 2026 / / 0 Comments
Pinkeye in Cattle: Catch It Early, Stop the SpreadPinkeye in cattle spreads quickly and can turn from a small issue into a problem for the whole herd. It moves from animal to animal through direct contact and flies, especially face flies. That’s why it’s important to spot it early and act fast. What begins as mild tearing or irritation can lead to cloudy eyes, ulcers, or even blindness if not treated right away. Once pinkeye takes hold, it’s much tougher and takes more time to control, so catching it early is your best bet.
Pinkeye in cattle usually follows a seasonal pattern. It starts showing up in spring, gets worse in early summer, and peaks when it’s hot and dry. Dust, tall grass, and lots of flies make things worse. Breeds with lighter-colored eyes, like Herefords and Charolais, are more at risk because they’re sensitive to sunlight and irritation. These conditions make infection more likely, so prevention is important.
When pinkeye shows up, treating it can take a lot of work. You’ll need to sort, treat, and keep an eye on sick animals. Even mild cases can get worse if ignored, so separating infected cattle helps stop it from spreading. The main point is this: the sooner you spot and deal with pinkeye, the easier it is to manage. In the next sections, we’ll cover how to prevent outbreaks, what signs to look for, and how to handle pinkeye before it affects your herd’s health and your bottom line.

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Fertilizer Timing Myths That Cost You Forage

March 21, 2026 /
Fertilizer Timing Myths That Cost You ForageIf you ask ten ranchers when they typically fertilize their pasture, you’ll probably hear the same answer more than once:
“Usually sometime in March.” Or maybe: “Right before spring green-up.”
This is a common rule of thumb in pasture management. It makes sense at first: apply fertilizer just before the grass starts growing so nutrients are there when plants need them. For many producers, this timing has become routine, just another spring job like fixing fences or checking water troughs.
But things get tricky in places like West Texas and other semi-arid grazing areas. Relying only on the calendar for fertilizer timing is one of the most common ways producers waste money and miss out on better forage growth.
The reason is simple: grass doesn’t grow based on the calendar.
Pasture plants respond to environmental conditions, not dates. Their growth depends on factors like:
  • Soil moisture
  • Soil temperature
  • Day length
  • Plant growth stage
If fertilizer is applied before these conditions line up, several problems can occur:
  • Nutrients may sit unused in dry soil for weeks.
  • Nitrogen can be lost before plants absorb it.
  • Forage response may be weaker than expected.
  • Fertilizer costs rise without increasing yield.
In dryland systems, timing matters even more. One poorly timed fertilizer application can mean the difference between strong forage growth and disappointing results.
That’s why it’s important to take a closer look at fertilizer timing. Knowing when grass can actually use nutrients helps producers get more value from every pound of fertilizer.
Now that we see the limits of calendar-based fertilization, let’s look at why this method often fails in semi-arid grazing systems, what really affects fertilizer response, and how to better time applications for the best pasture results.

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Why Protein Isn’t the Problem—Energy Is

March 13, 2026 /
Why Protein Isn’t the Problem—Energy IsIf you hang around a feed store or sale barn in late winter and early spring, you’ll hear the same advice repeated like clockwork: “They probably need more protein.” It’s almost automatic in cattle nutrition conversations. Cows looking a little thin? Add protein. Calves not gaining as you expected? Add protein. Grass just starting to green up? Add protein.
But the reality for many cow-calf operations is that protein usually isn’t the main issue. Most of the time, it’s actually energy that’s lacking.
And when energy intake is short, nothing else works the way it should. Body condition slips. Reproductive performance stalls. Milk production levels off. Even immune function can take a hit. You can add more crude protein, but if cows don’t have enough digestible energy to fuel rumen microbes and maintain metabolic demands, that extra protein won’t solve the root issue.
This doesn’t mean protein isn’t important for beef cattle. Protein plays a key role in rumen function, growth, and herd performance. However, in late winter and early spring, when forage quality drops, hay is harder to digest, and early grass is wet but low in dry matter, energy is often the real limiting factor.
Before spending more on protein tubs or high-protein supplements, pause and ask the key question: Are my cows short on energy rather than protein? This is crucial for improving performance.
Let’s look at why energy is so important for cattle in late winter and early spring, why it’s often the nutrient that runs short, and how you can tell if your herd’s problem is really a lack of energy rather than protein.

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Don’t Quit Feeding Hay Too Soon in March

February 25, 2026 /
Don’t Quit Feeding Hay Too Soon in MarchWhen March arrives, most cattle producers are eager to stop feeding hay.
Winter feels endless. A few warm days appear, pastures show a faint green, and the cows aren’t crowding the gate as much as in January. After months of rolling out bales, it’s easy to wonder, “Why are we still feeding hay?”
That’s when the thought comes up: Why not stop feeding hay and let the cows graze?
But giving in to this idea often leads to a common March mistake: stopping hay feeding too soon.
The issue isn’t stopping hay feeding, but stopping it too quickly.
March is a time of transition, not the finish line. Early grass looks promising, but it usually doesn’t give cows enough to eat. If you stop hay suddenly, cows may graze more but actually eat less, which can cause intake drops, loss of body condition, and performance problems that show up weeks later.
That’s why this isn’t the time to stop hay feeding all at once. Instead, it’s time to reduce it gradually and with a plan.
In the next sections, we’ll cover why removing hay too quickly hurts intake, what happens in the rumen during this change, and how to cut back on hay in a simple, low-stress way. The main point is that a gradual step-down keeps cows eating, protects rumen health, and helps your herd have a productive spring. The most important thing to remember is to keep nutrition steady in March.

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Breeding Season Nutrition: What Your Cows Need Now

July 12, 2025 /

Breeding Season Nutrition: What Your Cows Need NowLet’s be honest—breeding season asks a lot from our cows. Within 90 days after calving, we expect them to nourish a growing calf, recover from giving birth, and cycle back into estrus so they’re ready to breed again. That’s a tall order, especially when you consider how much their performance impacts the success of our entire operation.

A yearly calving interval isn’t just a goal—it’s a financial necessity. If a cow isn’t giving you a calf every year, she’s not paying her way. And with rising input costs, feed bills, and tight margins, every open cow hurts a little more. Keeping cows on schedule helps maintain a steady bottom line.

But here’s the catch: cows can’t meet these demands on empty fuel tanks. To stay on track, they need proper nutrition at the right time. That means we’ve got to pay close attention to three things:

  • Forage Quality – Is the grass packing the protein and energy she needs?
  • Forage Quantity – Can she consume enough to meet her daily requirements?
  • Her Stage of Production – Is she lactating, regaining body condition, or getting ready to breed?

Meeting her nutritional needs isn’t just about tossing out some cubes. It’s about understanding what she needs and ensuring your pastures—and your plan—can support her through this high-demand period.

Because when cows get what they need, they’ll give you what you want: a healthy calf on the ground, year after year. And that’s the kind of return we’re all after.

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Practical creep feeding 101: what you need to know

February 14, 2025 /

Practical creep feeding 101: what you need to knowCreep feeding can be a powerful tool to boost the weaning weight of your calves, potentially translating into increased profits when it’s time to sell. However, it’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons before implementing this strategy. While it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, when used effectively, it can significantly enhance your bottom line.

There are several factors to think about, like calf prices, feed costs, and the time and labor you can realistically commit. Plus, this isn’t a decision you make once and forget about. Market conditions change every year, so what makes sense one season might not be the best move the next.

That’s why looking at what works for your specific operation is essential. Just because something works for your neighbor doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for you. So, how do you decide if creep feeding is worth it? Let’s break down some key things to consider.

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