Tag: minerals (Page 1 of 4)

How to select the right protein tub in 5 steps

How to select the right protein tub in 5 stepsA protein tub is a convenient way to provide extra nutrition when needed. One of its key benefits is that once you place it in the pasture, you can rest assured that you don’t need to check it daily. This benefit is beneficial for those who may have a job back in town, providing a sense of relief from daily checking responsibilities.

A benefit for both the full-time and “part-time” rancher is that a protein tub can improve the overall grazing in a pasture. You can move them into more underutilized areas to encourage cattle to move to those areas.

When making any type of investment, it is prudent to do your homework before making any decision. So, before you run off to the local feed store, I have five things you can look at before you buy your first protein tub.

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How to actually decipher the disinformation about sulfur blocks

How to actually decipher the disinformation about sulfur blocksSulfur salt blocks have generated a love/hate relationship among many cattlemen. Some love them and swear by them, while others feel they are a waste of money. It can be a bit of a headache to understand either side truly.

The ones who love them say that it helps with external parasite control. While sulfur powder has been shown to help in that area, there is no evidence, as far as I’m aware, that the block does that.

As with everything, there are pros and cons to using them. While there is some benefit to feeding sulfur, one must also be careful. You need to weigh the options yourself and decide if it could work for you.

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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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The uncommonly simplified guide to why cattle need salt

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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A really simple beginner’s guide to cattle salt blocks

A really simple beginner's guide to cattle salt blocksSalt blocks are available to producers in a variety of different colors. This variety is something any trip to your local feed store can tell you. Each color represents different situations in which they are needed.

The specific color of the block will tell you two things about it. The first is what kind of nutrients are present in the block. The second is what kind of use it is intended for. Such as the yellow sulfur block or the basic white salt block; there are many different options to go with.

With the different varieties out there, it can be confusing as to which block is best for you. Not to mention, much information on the subject can be confusing and conflicting. The one that is best for you will depend on what mineral(s) are deficient in your particular option. Also, what you want to accomplish will also play a factor in this decision.

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5 simple ways to remarkably reduce winter feed costs

5 simple ways to remarkably reduce winter feed costsAs sure as the turning of the world being in winter means having to buy feed. The reason for that is that during this time, forages go dormant and provide less for animals. Though they do not like it, producers must buy supplements to feed their animals during this time.

The problem that happens during this time, though, is that most producers tend to spend less money when buying feed. They buy what they usually have without considering whether it is really what they need at this time or not. The other side of that coin is that some producers need to provide more, being content on going with the least cost. Unfortunately, neither option is the best.

When it comes to providing supplements, the goal is to be the most efficient. You want to ensure that the animal’s nutritional needs are being met without breaking the bank. Skimping on nutrition can affect production as well as profitability. But also you only want to spend what you can get back. Here are five suggestions for reducing your overall feed costs without sacrificing production.

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Be on the look out for winter tetany

Be on the look out for winter tetanyWhen people think about tetany, they think of something that happens only during the spring. It’s something that usually occurs when cattle are eating lush spring grass or annual cereal forages. However, it can also happen when cattle are fed harvested forages like silage or hay.

Grass tetany is most often paired with cattle grazing immature cool-season grasses or lush annual forages. The thing about it is that tetany can also happen during the winter when cattle are being fed hay. Tetany can happen with regular hay, alfalfa hay, or annual forages that have been harvested for hay. It is especially true if the hay is being fed in a dry lot and is the only feed source.

For those of you not in the know, you may be asking, “What is grass tetany?“, “What kinds of problems can it cause my operation?” and “How do I treat or even prevent it from happening?“. In regard to those questions, here are some things you should consider.

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5 tips to become really successful at calf weaning

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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How to know if creep grazing is right for you

How to know if creep grazing is right for youGetting calves to gain weight most efficiently is the goal of every cow/calf producer. Some producers have found that using a creep system is a way of achieving that goal. Regarding creep systems, there are two options: Creep grazing and creep feeding a concentrate supplement. Both methods have pros and cons, so it would be best for the producer to research what works for them.

Between the two, creep grazing is generally less expensive than creep-feeding grain for apparent reasons. It also requires less labor making it more convenient. It can be challenging to find any information because although creep-feeding has been well studied, not much has been done with creep grazing. Understanding it may require more legwork on the producer’s part.

Creep-grazing pastures can add pounds to a calf’s weaning weight, just like creep-feeding. However, more than just adding weight to calves is needed to make them profitable. To understand this, the producer will need to look at things like feed costs and the market to see if they will be profitable. Here are some things to consider when making this decision.

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5 informative steps to selecting the right protein tub

5 informative steps to selecting the right protein tubA protein tub is an excellent way to provide extra nutrition when needed. One benefit is that once you place it in the pasture, you don’t need to check it daily. The protein tub is helpful for those that may have a job back in town.

A benefit for both the full-time and “part-time” rancher is that a protein tub can improve the overall grazing in a pasture. You can move them into more underutilized areas to encourage cattle to move to those areas.

With making any type of investment, it is prudent that you do your homework before you make any decision. So before you run off to the local feed store, I have five things you can look at before you buy your first protein tub.

Continue reading

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