Tag: cow (Page 1 of 15)

The uncommonly simplified guide to why cattle need salt

February 26, 2024 /

The uncommonly simplified guide to why cattle need saltSalt, along with other minerals, is necessary to sustain life in cattle. Much like with humans, they are essential building blocks for living beings to perform at their best. It is needed for the body to perform even the most basic of functions.

The interesting thing about salt is that cattle have a natural “urge” for it. This urge means that they will actually seek it out, unlike the other minerals. If they cannot find it, they will try to ingest it from different sources, such as tree bark, dirt, and even urine.

As mentioned earlier, salt is essential to the overall function of a cow. Along with aiding with milk production, it will assist with other functions. These functions are reproduction, blood flow, and even sweating (which should be obvious).

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Introducing all you need to know about cattle supplements

December 17, 2023 /

Introducing all you need to know about cattle supplementsProducers tend to have a love/hate relationship regarding supplements. On the one hand, they love how it improves the performance of their cattle, but on the other hand, they hate that it adds to their expenses. It is for this reason that producers tend only to feed supplements if they absolutely have to.

In order to get the most cost-effective use out of feeding cattle, producers should look at supplements more as an investment rather than just another expense. Supplements can add increased value to both performance and their return at the sale if appropriately used.

As we are all aware, forages alone will not provide all the necessary nutrients that your cattle need. Supplement feeding is required to complement what your forages provide. Though your grass may be green now, the quality of it will decline as the forages mature later on in the year.

So, how do you get the most effective use of supplements?

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4 simple ways to avoid extra costs with hay

December 5, 2023 /

4 simple ways to avoid extra costs with hayWinter 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.

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4 ways on how to pick a reputable breeder

November 15, 2023 /

4 ways on how to pick a reputable breederA 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 cattle that will be entering your herd, whether that is the replacements you raise or the ones that you buy, will steer what direction your herd goes in the future. It is during times like these that a producer must make their decisions based on sound business judgment. These are not the time to let emotions get the better of you.

When it comes to cattle buying, there are plenty of sellers. All you have to do is take a quick look around social media to find that out. There are many sellers. But that does not mean that all of them are the right ones to go with. It will be up to you to wade through all of the noise. The key is to find the one that will be right for you. Here are four things that you can follow to make the right choice.

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How to secure the nutrition needs of fall-calving herds

September 28, 2023 /

How to secure the nutrition needs of fall-calving herdsNutrition 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.

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How to actually develop heifers for long-term profitability

September 24, 2023 /

How to actually develop heifers for long-term profitabilityWhat 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.

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How to plan now to make it through winter

September 16, 2023 /

How to plan now to make it through winterWinter 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.

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5 tips to become really successful at calf weaning

August 7, 2023 /

5 tips to become really successful at calf weaningWeaning is one of the most critical times for a cattle producer. It is a time for all of their hard work begins to pay off with an excellent large calf crop. Though it may be of benefit to the producer, it comes with its problems.

It is also considered one of the most stressful times in that calf’s life. During this time, they are exposed to various stressors that include being removed from the momma, physiological changes, castration, vaccination, dehorning, and the list goes on. With all of this going on, it is no wonder that calves often suffer from all sorts of maladies.

These various stressors can result in tremendous challenges to the calf’s short-term and long-term health and performance. Studies have shown that calves that get sick or become sick during the first 30 days of weaning typically have lower daily gains and increased costs of growth.

So with the importance that weaning plays in that calf’s life, it is essential that you get it started on the right foot. The steps that you take now can have an impact that will last the rest of your life. But how can you go about doing that? Here are five tips you can follow to make sure that happens.

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3 ways to get results with breeding season nutrition

July 10, 2023 /

3 ways to get results with breeding season nutritionBreeding season puts a lot of demands on cows. During this time, she is expected to provide adequate nutrition for her calf while her body recovers from giving birth. Then she is expected to return to estrus just before she is bred again. All of this is expected to occur within 90 days after calving to maintain a yearly calving interval.

A yearly calving interval is the type of cycle that is expected for a cow to be considered profitable. If the cow does not provide a calf every year or 2, then the cow is not getting a return on what the producer is spending on her. With the ever-increasing input costs producers have seen over the last year, not getting a return on investment is not an option.

The key to getting your cows bred again is adequate nutrition. There are some considerations to consider to meet the cow’s nutritional demands. It would be best if you were looking at the quality and quantity of forage consumed, the cow’s nutrient requirements, and understanding what feed options are available to you.

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3 ways how to get the most return from weaning

July 2, 2023 /

3 ways how to get the most return from weaningWeaning time is once again upon us. It is a magical time when everything runs smoothly. Also, absolutely nothing wrong ever….. sorry, I couldn’t bring myself to finish that sentence. The problem with that last line is that anyone in the cattle business will tell you it’s the opposite. It can be a very stressful time for both the cattle and the rancher.

Stress in cattle can be displayed by increased vocalization and reduced feed intake. The most well-known are calves just pacing up and down the fence line. The issue with stress is that it can lower the immune system’s ability to fight off diseases. It may not seem like much, but it can reduce daily gains, increase health problems, and even cause death.

No matter what type of weaning strategy you use, there are ways to maintain your calves’ performance. Maintaining performance can also reduce the chance of illness. Preparing calves in advance of taking them away from their mommas has benefits that are well worth the effort. Here are three steps that you can use to help your calf crop wean successfully.

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