Rotational grazing is a popular choice when it comes to putting cattle out on pasture. When using this grazing plan, cattle spend time grazing one paddock before moving to the next. This gives all open paddocks time to “rest” between grazing cycles. When using a rotational grazing system, how often...
Whether you are buying hay or making it yourself, it can be expensive. Reducing the need for stored feeds is a key profitability indicator for beef cow/calf operations. However, having access to dry, quality forages can serve as an important supplement and forage replacement in times of drought or...
With breeding season approaching, let’s look at some areas of focus to that could be robbing from conception rates. Some factors that I think disserve discussion are cow condition, cow requirements, lush pastures, timing of vaccinations, lack of heterosis, stress, and bull fertility. First and...
Recently I saw an old advertisement for hybrid seed corn. The two inbred parent ears of corn were small and low yielding, but the hybrid ear in the middle was robust and high yielding. Sure, this is not new news to you as a reader, but often simple messages, even old ones are worthwhile.Obviously,...
A popular question this time of year is “What will a good bull cost me?.” My go-to answer is usually… “How much revenue loss would you have from a pasture full of open cows?” After all, we often de-value the role of the bull. We forget that he is a crucial part of the equation to making our product...
Although there are year-round management strategies that can impact calving season success, here are some short-term, in-the-moment calving tips for success this year.Prepare a calving kit. The last thing you want to be is unprepared during calving season. Having all calving equipment clean, ready...
Dystocia, meaning “difficult birth,” often results in loss of a calf or complications after birth of a live calf. Some examples of complications after a difficult birth can include aspiration pneumonia, joint damage, nerve damage, and hypoxia. Another big problem can be failure of passive transfer...
Overgrazing is the failure to match animal grazing to forage growth and production. Overgrazing occurs when animals are allowed to continuously harvest a plant without allowing the plant to feed itself. Over time, overgrazing causes reduced pasture stands and forces the cattlemen to feed purchased...
Failure to develop heifers that can stay productive in the herd is a costly mistake. To help achieve successful heifer development, it is important to adopt an optimal mindset, not a maximal one.If every heifer was to breed, undoubtedly fallout would occur as young cows. Short productive life as a...
During the summer I frequently get asked about mowing pastures. Often, farmers are seeking a yes or no answer…and hopefully validation of their current practice. Unfortunately, the answer is somewhat dependent on previous pasture management and the chosen grazing system.If pastures have heavy weed...
