Feed costs remain the single most significant expense for any cattle producer. Depending on different factors, this expense can easily be half of the total annual expenses for a rancher.
Now, that amount can vary depending on the time of year and forage conditions. In a drought situation, feed costs can total 70% of the total yearly costs of raising cattle. It may seem challenging to reduce feed costs without sacrificing production.
Some would have no problem with that, but the profitable producer knows that productivity is the key to a successful operation. But all is not lost. There are five steps to reduce feed costs without sacrificing productivity.
Mineral supplementation is an essential component of any successful cattle operation. Minerals are the building blocks for growth, reproduction, and basic maintenance. It is important that your cattle get all of the minerals that their bodies need.
Spring is almost around the corner. The temperatures will soon rise, and the grass will begin to grow again. For most people, pasture management comes to mind when temperatures rise, but that is not necessarily the case. It is vital to get a start on it now.
A new year is approaching for the cattle industry. Though we have had our issues this past year, like the current market, new opportunities are bound to return. It may not look like it, but there are always positives to be found if you know how to look, even in our yoyo industry.
A wheat pasture is a valuable resource for many cattle operations. This plant is a valuable source of high-quality forage when most other forages are low in quantity and quality. The unique climate in the Southern plains, like here in Texas, can allow producers to use wheat as both a forage and a grain crop. This dual purpose can potentially increase the overall profitability of many operations.
Grazing management in the fall can have an impact on your future forage production. The intensity of your grazing animals determines what state they will be in. Also, grazing during the winter may be limited depending on what forages you have available.
Hard to believe that we are almost to September, which means that summer is almost over. The temperatures are going to be getting cooler (somewhat), and the days are getting shorter. Fall is undoubtedly a time of year when a lot of transitioning will be going on. Now is also the time to be thinking about what supplements to provide for your cattle.
Drought can be a very devastating thing to deal with. Forages stop producing, making it difficult for ranchers to make it. Drought can make things seem bleak while going through it.
When it comes to mineral supplements, people tend to focus only on either spring or fall. During these times of the year, cattle go through their highest demands. But even though that is the case, you should still pay attention to your cows’ mineral needs during the rest of the year.
Maintaining your pasture during the summer can take much work. It can go from adequate moisture to extremely dry in no time. Managers must be on their game to keep their pasture from suffering too much.
