Hay sampling and forage testing for the beef cow herd
Getting hay harvested in a timely manner has been troublesome this year, resulting in an abundance of poor-quality forage.
Nutrition & Feeding
Proper nutrition involves providing a balanced diet to meet the energy, protein, vitamin, and mineral requirements of beef cattle to promote growth and health.
Articles
Winter Cow Protein Needs
To optimize cow productivity, evaluating nutrient levels in winter feed for cows is necessary.
The Importance of Beef Calvesâ Preconditioning Nutrition
For many producers, âpreconditioningâ is synonymous with âvaccinatingâ; however, while vaccinations are important, they take a back seat to calvesâ preconditioning nutrition. Separation anxiety at weaning causes the release of cortisol which suppresses the immune response and increases susceptibility to diseases.
Water’s Role in Beef Cattle Production
Water is often overlooked as the most important nutrient for beef cattle.
Establishing alfalfa following wheat
A late summer seeding of alfalfa following a spring wheat crop is a great option to maximize seasonal productivity and fits very well as a part of a diverse crop rotation. Aside from the usual considerations when performing a late summer seeding of alfalfa, there are a few considerations to keep in mind when planting alfalfa following a wheat crop: the potential for residual herbicide damage to alfalfa and the impact of volunteer wheat.
Preliminary forage recommendations for grazing solar sites
The explosive growth of solar sites, especially large, utility-scale (>100 MW) sites that require state approval, has put solar in competition with agriculture for land use.
Target Age and Weight When Breeding Beef Heifers
To maintain its size, a beef herdâs annual replacement rate typically equals the number of cows that exit annually due to death, marketing, or culling. A typical replacement rate of 15% has been suggested.
Hay Analysis Guide for Beef Cattle: Determining Winter Feed Needs
Winter feed costs typcially represent the largest portion of cow/calf expenses. A hay analysis is important to determine if hay will meet a cow herdâs nutrient requirements during winter. This factsheet will cover interpreting a hay analysis and to calculate winter feed needs.
Donât overlook nutritional needs of 2-year-old cows
A frequently heard recommendation for beef farms is to separate the 2-year-olds and thin cows from the main herd during the winter-feeding period. Three-year-olds may also benefit from being in this group because they are still growing. This is important every year, and likely even more important during years of limited forage resources.
Options for feeding the beef cow herd when hay supplies are short
Management options that a spring-calving cow herd may consider to get through the winter feeding season when hay is in short supply. The examples given use general assumptions because options and costs vary from farm to farm and over time.
