Tag: energy (Page 1 of 2)

Simple way to determine the worth of a hay bale

Simple way to determine the worth of a hay baleUsing a hay bale to supplement your cattle is a tried-and-true method that many producers use. It is reasonably priced compared to other feedstuffs, though the quality can vary depending on many factors.

While using a hay bale, many people tend to look at the upfront cost. While this may be good initially, it is not always best to be the only way. You will want to examine how much that particular will cost per unit of energy or protein.

Like with other feedstuffs, it is always a good idea to break down the price into simple units to compare apples to apples. Though a hay bale may look like a good deal initially, it may not be. Once you have broken down the price into those units, you will find it will cost you more.

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How to make the best cattle feed supplement plan possible

How to make the best cattle feed supplement plan possibleProviding a feed supplement to cattle that are grazing in certain areas is expected, and for good reason. Cattle often cannot get enough from just rangelands to meet their nutritional requirements. Producers have many choices when it comes to feeding supplements. However, it is best to be careful when deciding what supplements to use.

Food costs are producers’ most considerable on-farm expense during the year. According to Oklahoma State, nearly 40% of total operating costs are associated with nutrition. If you are experiencing any type of drought conditions, then this expense can be even higher. However, we should still try to cut out every expenditure we can.

The problem with only looking at reducing costs is that it will affect your overall performance. You want to look at them more like investments and try to get the most return possible. It is more important to be efficient than just to be the cheapest. Here are some ways to obtain the most “bang for your buck” when it comes to using the feed.

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How to actually understand what the feed tag says

How to actually understand what the feed tag saysA feed tag is a very informative but often overlooked item on a commercially produced feed. Other than looking at the Crude protein or the energy content, not many people really look at them. With some of the confusing numbers and such listed on them, it is understandable how that can happen.

Attached to every bag of feed is this little colored tag. Nowadays, many regional or national feed companies now provide the same information on their websites. Tags contain vital information such as the product weight, guaranteed analysis, list of ingredients, and feeding instructions. The feeding instructions tell you how best to use the product.

Initially, what is on the feed tag can be overwhelming, but the information is typically pretty to the point. Now, if you have ever looked at one and felt that you needed a Ph.D. to understand, fear not, for I am here to help. I will give you a breakdown of each section and its meaning.

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Introducing all you need to know about cattle supplements

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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The surprisingly easy way to build a cattle ration

The surprisingly easy way to build a cattle rationFormulating a ration for cattle is critical to any successful beef operation. There are times when forages alone will not supply what the cows need for the stage they are in. When it comes that time, you will need to provide a supplement that will fill in the gaps to keep them producing.

Supplements are typically the most significant on-farm expense producers will have all year. Most estimates have it at around 70% of the yearly costs. Some may think the lowest price is the way to go, but that is not usually the best answer. With that high of an expense, it is in your best interest to have your feed be as efficient as possible. Going with the lowest cost could cost you more in the long run.

In order to make it as efficient as possible, you will need to balance both costs and performance. Getting the feed ration right is a delicate balance of providing the best quality and the lowest price possible. When you get the ration right, you are setting your cattle up for success. Here are some things to consider when building your next cattle ration.

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How to plan out enough hay for this winter

How to plan out enough hay for this winterNutrition significantly affects your herd’s health during the cold winter months. In order to meet this need, producers should plan ahead when it comes to their fall and winter forages. There are many factors to consider when figuring out how much hay will be needed.

To add insult to injury, this year has also seen commodity prices reach the highest it has ever been. Primary inputs like grain, fertilizer, and even fuel are getting terribly expensive. What makes it even scarier is that these prices only appear to be going down for a while.

While looking at using a hay bale, many people tend to look at the upfront cost. While this may be good initially, it is not always best to be the only way. You will want to look at how much that particular will cost per unit of energy or protein.

Continue reading

How to actually determine the worth of a hay bale

How to actually determine the worth of a hay baleUsing a hay bale to supplement your cattle is a tried and true method that many producers use. It is reasonably priced compared to other feedstuffs. Though, like other feedstuffs, the quality can vary depending on many factors.

While using a hay bale, many people tend to look at the upfront cost. While this may be good initially, it is not always best to be the only way. You will want to examine how much that particular will cost per unit of energy or protein.

Like with other feedstuffs, it is always a good idea to break the price down into these simple units to compare apples to apples. This is because though a hay bale may look like a good deal initially, it may not be real. Once you have broken down the price into those units, you will find it will cost you more.

Continue reading

How to make the best cattle feed supplement plan possible

How to make the best cattle feed supplement plan possibleProviding a feed supplement to cattle that are grazing in certain areas is pretty common and for good reason. Cattle are often not able to get enough from just rangelands to meet their nutritional requirements. Producers have many choices when it comes to feeding supplements. But it is best to be careful when deciding what supplements to use.

Feed costs are the largest on-farm expense that producers have during the year. According to Oklahoma State, nearly 40% of total operating costs are associated with nutrition. If you are experiencing any type of drought conditions then this expense can be even higher. However, this does not mean that we should try to cut out every expenditure that we can.

The problem with only looking at reducing costs is that it will affect your overall performance. What you want to do is look at them more like investments and try to get the most return possible. It is more important to be efficient than just to be the cheapest. Here are some ways that you can go about getting the most “bang for your buck” when it comes to using the feed.

Continue reading

This is what your feed tag is actually telling you

This is what your feed tag is actually telling youA feed tag is a very informative but often overlooked item on a commercially produced feed. Other than looking at the Crude protein or maybe the energy content not many people really look at them. With some of the confusing numbers and such listed on them, it is understandable how that can happen.

Attached to every bag of feed is this little colored tag. In these modern times, many regional or national feed companies now provide the same information on their websites. Tags contain vital information such as the product weight, guaranteed analysis, and list of ingredients. and feeding instructions. The feeding instructions tell you how best to use the product.

Now while initially what is on the feed tag can be overwhelming, the information is typically pretty to the point. If you have ever looked at one and felt that you needed a Ph.D. to understand fear not for I am here to help. I will be giving you a breakdown of each section and what they mean.

Continue reading

All you need to know about cattle supplements

All you need to know about cattle supplementsProducers tend to have a love/hate relationship when it comes to supplements. On the one hand, they love how it improves the performance of their cattle but on the other, they hate that it adds to their expenses. It is for this reason that producers tend to not feed supplements unless 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. If used properly supplements can add increased value to both performance and their return at the sale.

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

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

Continue reading

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