IN THIS ISSUE
American Products and Services for American Cattlemen
Vol. 44 • No. 5 • May 2018
COLUMNS
6 PUBLISHER STATEMENT 28 8 INDUSTRY NEWS Trending news from around the cattle industry.
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FEED SUPPLEMENT OPTIONS FOR SUMMERTIME TOXIC FESCUE GRAZING
With summertime high temperatures fast approaching, toxic fescue issues will soon reach peak over the coming weeks. The losses associated with toxicosis have been well documented and researched; some $1 billion in lost beef performance occurs across the industry annually.
GRAZING SUCCESS STORY 18 FESCUE
Defining personal success can be a difficult thing for each of us to truly measure and strive to achieve. For South Carolina beef rancher Joe Davis, his achievements in successfully grazing novel tall fescue would surely rank high on most rancher’s scale of achievement.
IS A MONO-SLOPE BUILDING RIGHT FOR YOUR OPERATION?
Producers looking to build new or expand existing feed-yards should seriously evaluate erecting a mono-slope building to house their cattle. These structures can be used comfortably for both beef and dairy cattle and are generally built with the front and back open, often with canvas flaps that can be dropped down in severe weather.
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DIFFERENT A.I. TECHNIQUES AND METHOD FOR FERTILITY
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PROGRESS TAKES PLANNING
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SUMMIT LIVESTOCK MONOSLOPE BEEF BARNS OFFER PRODUCERS WIDE RANGE OF BENEFITS
The A.I. procedure is very standard across the cattle industry and is often done going through the motions without much thought. This simple procedure hangs very heavily on both method and skill of the technician.
In any area of life your success depends on foresight and planning, raising cattle is no different. You have to go through and not only have goals but a feasible action plan to attain them.
SPONSORED FEATURES
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ARROWQUIP
Cattle Handling Comfort Zone, (And why to get out of yours!)
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PHILEO LESAFFRE ANIMAL CARE
As the summer heat intensifies, dairy and beef producers become concerned about prolonged hot spells and what oppressive heat and humidity can do.
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Summit Livestock was started to provide cost-effective facilities that are designed and engineered to serve the needs of protein producers throughout the U. S.
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PUBLISHER STATEMENT
Change Takes Time, But It’s Worth It,
Change is something that we struggle with, both professional-
ly and personally. With change comes the fear of the unknown, the struggle of where to begin and the second-guessing if you are doing the right thing. You may be wondering where this is coming from? Well, if you have followed our publication over the last 6-8 months you have noticed some changes within the magazine. Going through this change was definitely a struggle and a lot of time was spent trying to figure everything out, and now it seems to be in full swing. One of the major changes was revamping and increasing our editorial. To do so, we needed to build a team of writers who had the knowledge within the industry, the time to contribute, and flexibility to work within our guidelines. Through the process we have built a strong core of writers with these three characteristics and willingness to help us with the process. This has been a great upgrade for our publication as we now have industry specific edit that are hot topic items that may help you and your dairy become more efficient as well as ways to improve. Another area we are expanding is our industry news area. This is information provided to us by different manufacturers, associations, etc. that are updating the
American Products and Services for American Cattlemen
Vol. 44 • No. 5 • May 2018 President/CEO - Gale McKinney VP/CFO - Audra McKinney Group Publisher/COO - Patrick McKinney Publisher - Dustin J. Hector Associate Publisher - Lissa Baker Office Manager - Dawn Busse Creative Director - Brandon Peterson Advertising Account Executives Kathy Davidson Mary Gatliff Lori Seibert Irene Smith Joyce Kenney Ed Juncker Circulation Coordinator Shawna Nelson Subscription Sales Kendra Sassman Falon Geis
industry on news or things going on in their company that would be of interest. A big part of industry news is what new products are coming out, or what changes are being made to policies. This information is always relevant and important information that is needed to continue having success in the industry. I encourage you to spend some time on the editorial in this issue. We touch on a lot of different areas ranging from different AI techniques and feed supplement options
Livestock Media Group 4685 Merle Hay Rd • Suite 200 Des Moines, IA 50322 877-424-4594 www.americancattlemen.com
for summertime grazing. Other editorial topics in this issue cover the topic of monoslope buildings are the right fit for your operations, and making sure you are planning according to make sure your operations runs efficiently. If you have anything specific you would like us to touch on and have our writers focus on, please let me know. You can email me those ideas at dustin@twinriversmedia.com. We are always looking for ideas and any input you can give us would be appreciated. In closing, I hope you enjoy the new look of American Cattlemen. We will continue to strive and improve our products so we can provide the best quality product that you, the producers, require and deserve. Best Regards, Dustin Hector Publisher – American Cattlemen
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©Twin Rivers Media, LLC, 2018. All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recorded or otherwise without the prior written permission of Twin Rivers Media, LLC, 2018. The information and advertising set forth herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Twin Rivers Media, LLC, 2018 (“Publisher”) however, does not warrant complete accuracy of such information and assumes no responsibility for any consequences arising from the use thereof or reliance thereon. Publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement or space reservation at any time without notice and for any reason. Publisher shall not be liable for any costs or damages if for any reason it fails to publish an advertisement. Advertisers are solely responsible for the content of their respective advertisements appearing in this publication and Publisher is not responsible or liable in any manner for inaccuracies, false statements or any material in such advertisement infringing upon the intellectual property rights of others. Advertisements appearing in this publication are not necessarily the views or opinions expressed by Publisher.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Polaris Ranger® Announces All-New Ranger 150 Efi With Industry-First Technology For Rider Safety Article and photos provided by Polaris
Polaris, the industry leader in off-road vehicles, introduced today the RANGER ® 150 EFI, a first-ofits-kind youth vehicle for riders 10 years and older that features rider-safety technology designed for parents’ peace of mind while letting youth riders experience t he f u n of d r i v i ng t hei r ow n vehicle. Driven by Polaris’ RIDE COMM A N D™ technolog y, new safety features include geofencing, digital speed limiting, and passcode protected safe-start, which can be controlled from parents’ smartphones. “As an avid rider, I love being able to share the joy of riding with my family, but as a parent, I also want to ensure I’m creating a safe environment where my kids can have fun, learn and gain experience driving off-road vehicles,” said Chris Musso, president of Off-Road Vehicles, Polaris. “Powered by innovative technology with safety as
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the top priority, the RANGER 150 EFI is designed to give RANGERloving families a way to extend their passion of driving off-road vehicles to the next generation and make riding a family adventure.” Using the R IDE COMM A ND app and the vehicle’s digital display, adults can set riding boundaries for kids using the geofencing feature. Additionally, the Digital Speed Limiting feature allows parents to determine speed limits both within and outside of the pre-established r id ing areas, helping ensure that kids a re r id i ng at the appropriate speed for t heir age, experience
and terrain. The RANGER 150 EFI’s Passcode Protected Safe-Start system controls who is operating the vehicle, and when it’s operated. Equipped with a seatbelt interlocking system, the vehicle limits max speed to six mph until the seat belt is engaged. Additional features include a high visibility flag, two helmets, a protective cage, safety nets and LED daytime-running lights and tail lights. Available in Solar Red, t he RANGER 150 EFI offers seating for two and is powered by an electronic fuel-injected 150cc engine giving youth riders aged 10 and up the fun of driving their own off-road vehicle. Tilt steering and a 5.7-inch seat slider provide adjustability for growing riders, while the 8-inch ground clearance and 22-inch all-terrain tires help navigate tough terrain. The RANGER 150 EFI boasts 50-pound rear box capacity and offers roof, full and half windshield, and front and rear bumper as accessory options. Available at dealerships starting mid-March, the RANGER 150 EFI has a starting price of $4,999. You can find more information about Polaris Off-Road Vehicles at www.polaris.com/ranger150. Also visit us and join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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SUPPLEMENTS
FEED SUPPLEMENT OPTIONS FOR SUMMERTIME
TOXIC FESCUE GRAZING By Michael Cox for American Cattlemen
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ith summertime high temperatures fast approaching, toxic fescue issues will soon reach peak over the coming weeks. The losses associated with toxicosis have been well documented and researched; some $1 billion in lost beef performance occurs across the industry annually. However, there is potential to reduce the rate of lost performance through targeted feed supplementation during this challenging period of toxicity.
Feed Supplements
Toxins occur in endophyte infected grasses such as Kentucky 31 in the form of an ergovaline – a toxic alkaloid. The endophyte fungus which grows between the plant cells is responsible for releasing this harmful chemical. The chemical restricts blood-flow to the body extremities, resulting in heat stress, fescue foot, abortions, poor conception rate and low performance. Ideally, toxic fescue pastures should be regrassed with novel endophyte free varieties, but sometimes this isn’t a practical or timely solution As the losses associated with fescue toxicity can be significant and costly, producers should aim to reduce the toxicity
threat during summer.
Minerals
Mineral supplementation plays an important role in all profitable beef production, and summertime -toxic fescue grazing is no different. Reduced total forage intake levels from toxic fescue-induced heat-stress will automatically lower mineral intake levels in cows. Free-access minerals can help to overcome this shortfall and alleviate some of the fescue’s toxicity. Selenium, zinc, copper and magnesium are the most important trace elements required when grazing toxic fescue. These trace elements are necessary for maintaining immune
function, which becomes compromised in cattle grazing toxic fescue. Zinc and copper have been shown to have a binding effect on the harmful toxins. Copper supplementation must also be considered as endophyte-infected fescue contains lower copper levels than novel endophyte tall fescue. Copper deficiency symptoms such as rough coats, increased open rates and hoof problems can be exacerbated by toxic fescue as the endophyte also decreases the bioavailability of copper for the animal. Mineral blocks or bagged minerals can be a labor friendly way of providing correct mineral supplementation to livestock. Producers should check with their suppliers regarding salt levels in minerals, as intakes will vary depending on salt quantities.
Byproducts
The dilution effect in the diet by supplementing corn, corn byproducts, soyahulls etc. will improve an* Continued on page 12
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SUPPLEMENTS
imal performance on herds grazing Kentucky 31. Research from University of Missouri Extension indicates that ‘feeding corn at a rate of 1% of bodyweight to livestock groups can be effective,’ however such high feeding levels may reduce grass fiber digestion. A ‘sweet-spot’ of .7% of bodyweight supplementation will allow for reduced toxicity effects while maintaining healthy forage digestion. As intakes are reduced in cattle grazing toxic fescue, it is necessary to provide adequate levels of supplementation to overcome low intakes. Kentucky based research has shown that feeding 5lbs soyahulls/steer/day ‘substantially increased steer daily weight gain and winter coat shedding.’ The study also noted a 4-fold increase in blood serum prolactin levels. Low prolactin levels in the blood is an indicator of fescue induced toxicity. While producers have many feed supplementation ingredient options, it is important to consider the utilization rate of your feeding system. Feed utilization can vary dramatically from 75% to 90% if supplement is allocated directly onto pasture vs in feed bunkers. If feeding in bunkers, adequate head-space must be provided so that all stock can eat at the same time.
Home-grown supplements
Incorporating home-grown summer annual forages are another option for beef ranchers to dilute fescue toxins. Summer annuals such as sorghum-sudan or pearl millet will offer forage diversity and non-toxic, high quality nutrition during the traditional ‘summer slump’ period. University of Oklahoma Extension research suggest that feeding summer forages on a ‘interval limit-grazing’ system can lower labor workload and provide adequate protein and energy supplementation. The ‘inter12
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val limit-grazing’ simply involves offering cows a large grazing allocation (approximately 5 hours of grazing) of summer annual crops several times per week, as opposed to a smaller daily allocation. Between these large grazing bouts of summer annuals, cows can be grazed on lower quality fescue forage. No-till seeding of legumes such as red clover or ladino clover will also provide greater forage quality while diluting the effects of fescue. Clovers will also boost dry matter intake levels. Pastures should contain 25% to 40% clover content, as these levels will provide adequate availability, while minimizing bloat risk. Introducing perennial grasses into toxic fescue pastures is generally to be avoided, as cattle will overgraze the more palatable grasses. This will allow toxic fescue to outcompete the introduced non-toxic grasses.
Grazing Management
Grazing management of toxic fescue will also play a significant role in the requirement for supplements. Previously, it had been understood that the seed head of fescue contained the highest levels of toxic alkaloid ergots, however latest research coming out of University of Missouri shows that the bottom two inches of the plant is actually the most toxic part of endophyte infected fescue. Many ranchers carry out summer clipping of seed heads to reduce toxicity, and while this will be of benefit, it is also important to leave a 3-inch stubble after grazings. In conclusion, there are many methods of limiting the toxicity effects of endophyte infected pastures through various forms of supplementation. Producers should identify the threats of their individual pastures and take steps to mitigate these risks before herd performance is negatively affected this summer. www.americancattlemen.com
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PARTNERING WITH PRODUCERS FOR SUCCESS
CATTLE HANDLING
COMFORT ZONE (AND WHY TO GET OUT OF YOURS!) By Dana Charban
WHEN IT COMES TO CATTLE HANDLING IT IS EASY TO REMAIN WITHIN THE REALM OF WHAT IS KNOWN AND FAMILIAR - TO CONTINUE WITH THE WAY THINGS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN DONE, AND THE EQUIPMENT THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN USED.
H
owever, recent research in animal science and livestock handling practices indicates that the way we have been handling cattle up until this point has been detrimental to the wellbeing of the livestock, the cognitive state of the handlers, and has been diminishing profits from ranching operation’s bottom lines.
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While many ranchers may wish to take steps to solve these issues, the question is often where to begin. Investing in new equipment is one piece of the puzzle, but there is far more to managing your cattle than the squeeze chute. Optimizing your ranch is a large undertaking that requires education, dedication, and time, and is most effective
when used in all areas of cattle management. To break it down into its simplest form, here are three key pieces of a low-stress, high efficiency ranching operation. 1. INVEST IN STOCKMANSHIP Often the best place to start is also the most challenging. Implementing low-stress cattle handling practices www.americancattlemen.com
your operation can have the largest return on investment, but it also takes skill, patience, and training for ranch hands. You must be willing to invest in the process for it to work out. There is no shortcut to Stockmanship. 2. LOOK AND LISTEN Cattle are highly sensitive animals, especially when it comes to sight and sound. Take some time to look and listen to what is going on when your cattle are being handled. Are there dogs barking, people yelling, or trucks roaring? What about lighting issues, shadows, or dead ends which may cause your cattle to baulk? Think like a cow when asking these questions – get low and see things from their point of view! Eliminating these types of distractions can prove highly beneficial when looking to speed up processing times. 3. CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT Take a close look at the equipment you are currently using. Is it designed to adhere to the lowstress cattle handling practices you are implementing? Do you have the access and animal control you need to perform your tasks effectively? Is it safe and easy for the handlers who are using it? Determine where improvements are needed, then come up with a game plan and timeline to make those improvements. Whether it is something as simple as adding
ACCESS 1. Side Access Doors & Panels 2. Needle Door 3. Vet Door
CONTROL 4. Head Gate 5. Q-Catch Head Holder 6. Squeeze 7. Rump Fingers
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THE ARROWQUIP EXPERIENCE We have the Q-Catch 86 Series, the 8´Adjustable Alley, and the 8´ BudFlow® Cattle Tub. My dad did most of the research, and that alone is a testament because he researches like crazy before he buys anything! We needed one that worked with horned cattle, and we wanted something that, if need be, one of us could operate on our own without the help of anybody else, so that definitely went into it as well. We haven’t had it for a super long time, and before we got it we had to do some things with our cattle and move them without it, so we have definitely noticed how much easier it was to do all that once we got it. We sort of struggled through for a while without it, so it’s made things a lot easier. The BudFlow® tub works really well. It’s super nice that once you put them through the gate they go to the crowd gate and turn around. It’s a natural movement right into the alley. It’s so safe. We just had to move some of them from one location to another, and we trailered them. In the past some of the things we were doing it was like “Okay,
a new form of head restraint, or complex enough to require a complete overhaul of your corral system, knowing what you need to fix is the first step of the process. Implementing low-stress animal handling techniques doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right information and equipment, optimizing your cattle handling
that seems a little dangerous”, and with that at no point did you feel like there was any risk to either us or our cattle. It’s also nice that as you push it around it locks in every step of the way, so that they can’t push back against you at all. It works really well. Molly Brown Lone Oak Cattle and Colts, Webster, WI
operation can be simple! Arrowquip is proud to offer a lineup of products designed specifically around the principles of low-stress cattle handling. From the worldrenowned silent squeeze chute, Q-Catch 86 Series, to the BudFlow® Tub that use cattle psychology to the advantage of the handler, they offer a variety of products which provide the opportunity to increase the productivity of any operation without unnecessary stress on the animal. No matter what equipment you choose to use, implementing low-stress cattle handling techniques will keep your cattle calm, and will lead to a more effective and profitable operation! For more information on how you can increase the efficiency of your ranch, visit arrowquip.com or contact info@arrowquip.com or 1-866-383-7827.
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GRAZING
FESCUE GRAZING
SUCCESS STORY By Michael Cox for American Cattlemen
D
efining personal success can be a difficult thing for each of us to truly measure and strive to achieve. For South Carolina beef rancher Joe Davis, his achievements in successfully grazing novel tall fescue would surely rank high on most rancher’s scale of achievement. Perhaps it is Davis’s willingness to learn and admit that, “we don’t know it all,” that has driven his farm improvements over the last 15 years. Having retired from 30 years of off-farm employment in the early 2000s, Davis began in the cattle business with 45 acres of Kentucky 31 pasture and a few cows. Today, the farm has expanded to over 460 acres carrying 195 cows and followers, with novel endophyte tall fescue pastures on all but 20 acres.
Early days
Like most things in ranching, success for Davis was not incremental and plain sailing, but came from continued trial, error and improvements. “We made a right mess of things in the early years,” Davis says, “We thought we knew what we were doing by putting out fertilizer, baling hay etc. but we ended up with poor performance and low pregnancy rates.” Unhappy with his initial ranching results, Davis attended some State Cattlemen’s meetings and read Jim Gerrish’s book, ‘Management Intensive Grazing.’ “Those really opened my eyes,” Davis says, both to the cost of hay and also to the potential for improvement un-
der Gerrish’s philosophy of properly managed pastures. Starting with just 12 acres under tall fescue and 3 water tanks, the farm slowly converted away from Kentucky 31 and bermudagrass and increased paddock numbers. “Each time I cut paddock sizes we found the smaller areas would actually carry more cattle and we always had surplus grass at the end of the year,” Davis says. Paddock numbers increased from just 3 original paddocks to over 20 today. As Davis is now comfortable intensively managing tall fescue, he prefers to split paddocks using temporary polywire rather than installing further permanent lines. As the farm’s pasture quality im-
proved immensely under the new stands of tall fescue, Davis found that he needed to manage not only his grass but also his cows. “We learned about the nutritional needs of the female cow based on her age and stage of production, but we also learned the nutritional value of forage based on it’s stage of production too,” Davis explains. As the herd performance improved once the cow’s consumption of toxic fescue decreased, Davis decided to eliminate supplements to all cows once they became pregnant with their third calf. Today, only younger lactation cows and heifers are offered supplement, usually in the form of 1.5lbs of dried distillers grains. Older cows are on forage yearround and no hay is made or fed.
Forage management
To facilitate this management system, forage covers on the farm are manipulated at certain times of the year. Cows are weaned in early May and intakes are reduced for the dry cows in line with their decreased nutritional needs. As herd demand falls, the farm’s pasture cover rises as grass accumulates in the paddocks. “I’m not sure if we should be clipping pasture to have * Continued on page 20
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Eliminates Burrowing Rodents Pressurized Exhaust Rodent Control (PERC)
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GRAZING
better quality or continue to grow a big bank of feed ahead of us,” Davis says as he continues to question the farm system and seek improvements. Although forage quality will deteriorate slightly as pasture covers rise, the benefits of having no hay machinery or associated hay raising and labor costs appears to be a significant advantage. The financial benefit of this system is also enormous; several New Zealand and Irish dairy research papers have confirmed that increasing the quantity of home-grown forage in the diet has a direct correlation with increased profit per hectare. As the farm receives 50 inches of rainfall annually, there is no irrigation in place. Despite the high rainfall, the summer drought still limits grass growth before the second growth spurt occurs in September. “We mind our pastures is summer and raise our residual height up a little from 2 inches to help protect the plant,” Davis says. Pre-grazing heights vary from 8-12 inches, depending on whether the farm is in rapid growth or cows are grazing stockpiled forage. Being able to adjust to changing conditions and make a judgement on pasture availability are key strengths of Davis’s management ability. The feed demand of each mob is calculated before they are moved to fresh pasture and polywire is used to set-up accurate grazing areas. During the main growing season, Davis aims to offer approximately 48 hour grazing areas to the different stock mobs, so that mobs need to be moved only 3 times each week. In periods of rapid growth, the grazing rotation shortens and some paddocks are skipped and stockpiled. During periods of slow growth, these paddocks are strip grazed to help improve pasture utilization and the rotation length increases greatly.
Legumes
Although a massive fan of Gerrish’s
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work, Davis does not agree with his mantra that, “you don’t have a pasture until you have clover.” Davis tried to establish 150 acres of clover in the past, but results were disappointing. Davis believes that the slow release nitrogen supplied from the clover creates problems in summertime, as the clovers essentially feed competing summer grasses with free nitrogen. “We also found that the clover had a more open ground cover, and in times of heat stress the open pastures became too weed infested,” Davis says. Excess protein in the diet was a further concern Davis had when incorporating legumes into his management system. “We had wonderful alfalfa stands one year which we used for growing out stockers, but I believe the alfalfa and clover swards provided way too much protein in the diet,” Davis says. The steers gained only 1.5lbs/day on the high protein diet. Davis believes the excess protein ‘burnt’ liveweight gains off the stockers.
New project
Not one to ever throw in the towel after a failed experiment, Davis has his eyes set on a new project for the farm; Identifying correct nitrogen input requirements. He is working with his local Extension office to assess the pasture effects of a wide range of nitrogen application rates. Nitrogen levels from 0 units to 300 units will be applied to different pastures. Applications will be split between Spring and Fall applications and all results will be measured and quantified. With such a willingness to learn and try new things, there is no doubt that Davis is set to find continued success in the beef business. Progress has been excellent to date, with 4 tonnes of forage grown annually, and it will be interesting to see where Davis takes farm performance to in the future.
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PARTNERING WITH PRODUCERS FOR SUCCESS
Photos courtesy by Carl Dahlen, North Dakota State University • www.ag.ndsu.edu
RESEARCH SHOWS WAYS TO HELP CATTLE
HANDLE HEAT STRESS By Steve Weisman
A
s the summer heat intensifies, dairy and beef producers become concerned about prolonged hot spells and what oppressive heat and humidity can do. It has been well documented that when heat stress rears its ugly head, many negative events can occur. For instance, feed intake can decline, milk production can plummet, immune and metabolic processes can be negatively impacted and growth rates can be affected. And, yes, cattle can die.
Research has shown that a successful heat stress “game plan” can help minimize the negative effects and even keep cattle on the right track. It all comes down to being proactive prior to the heat stress event. If you wait until the cattle are under stress, it may be too late. Several studies give excellent ideas for dealing with heat stress. One such study at North Dakota State University with C. R. Dahlen, Beef Cattle Specialist and veterinarian C. L. Stoltenow, looks at a wide range of issues in “Dealing with Heat Stress in Beef Cattle Operations.” Before taking preventative steps, Dahlen and Stoltenow suggest that pro22
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ducers know which of their herd are most susceptible to heat stress: those animals closest to market because of their weight, the very young and the very old, and animals with dark hides. With these categories in mind, producers can have a more watchful eye to take precautionary measures to ward off heat stress problem. First cattle producers need to look at the environment. To address these issues, successful producers address the need of more water and plenty of space for the cattle to drink. Don’t wait until the heat stress arrives; have plenty of water all of the time. At the same time, don’t overcrowd the situation.
Providing shade and air movement can help with heat stress. If the cattle are in a confined area, providing fans and even sprinklers to help keep cattle comfortable can help minimize heat stress. However, don’t just wait until the heat arrives before using the sprinklers. In other words, get the cattle acclimated to the sight, the sound, the feel of the water. Another option is to run a hose into the pens and wet/cool the ground upon which they will be lying. Finally, consider adding bedding to the ground in an effort to reduce the temperature. Adding moisture to this new bedding will further help reduce the temperature. Another area to look at is when to feed the cattle. Dahlen and Stoltenow suggest moving the animals’ feeding time to late afternoon or evening, which allows rumen fermentation to happen after dark, when the temperatures are cooler. This works well, since a cow’s body heat reaches its height www.americancattlemen.com
several hours after consumption. If the producer is feeding the herd more than once daily, consider feeding a smaller amount in the morning and a larger amount toward late afternoon. Both Joe Ward, who is North American Project Manager, and Matt Cravey, Ph.D., PAS and Head of the North American Ruminant Programs here in the United States for Phileo Lesaffre Animal Care (www.phileo-lesaffre.com), the animal and nutrition business unit of Lesaffre Yeast Corporation (LYC), concur with the findings of Dahlen and Stoltenow. Cravey adds, “During these heat stress conditions, always keep the cattle as comfortable as possible and use fresh feed. Increasing the number of feedings will help. In addition, avoid misters spraying onto the food.” At the same time, research shows that during intense heat occurrences, it is important to address the herd’s diet. It is here that Ward and Cravey spend a lot of their time and emphasis in the research of yeast additives at Phileo Lesaffre Animal Care. As investigative scientists, it is their goal to help provide producers with evidence-based solutions in the form of nutritional additives that enhance animal health and performance. The team’s progress is measured by the most advanced scientific outcomes as well as the field input of experienced nutritionists and veterinarians. Phileo Lesaffre Animal Care’s U. S. headquarters in Milwaukee, WI and plants in Cedar Rapids, IA and Dothan, AL, are dedicated to investing in research and finding solutions to challenges affecting animal well-being and production. Some of the company’s areas of research have shown the following:
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Improvements in feed digestibility, feed intake and animal performance Cost-effective nutritional alternatives, providing substitutes for unsustainable or limited feed sources Reducing the risk associated with bacterial toxins and mycotoxins through binding and detoxification Enhancement of immune response and digestive health in preventive management Reduction of pathogen pressure to help limit the risk of antibiotic resistance Optimization of physiological mechanisms against stress, to support animal welfare
Phileo’s research discussing heat stress
Ward says, “We have documented evidence that shows that Phileo Lesaffre Animal Care’s branded yeast products reduce the negative effects of heat stress. Our studies show that feed efficiency and digestibility are increased using our products.” According to Carvey, one study showed that by using ActiSaf® live yeast probiotic, daily dry matter intake increased by 2.5 percent, dry matter feed efficiency increased by 3.7 percent and tended to improve rumen pH (6.67 vs. 6.54). A second study included 32 head of crossbred heifers selected from111 head that had been on feed at a commercial feedyard for 50 days. The heifers weighed approximately 618 pounds. Half of the cattle had been consuming a normal feedlot diet (Controls), while the other half had been consuming the control diet plus a combination of ActiSaf® live yeast plus Safmannan, a premium yeast fraction. This combination is called OptiSaf® Beef. The 32 heifers
were shipped to a USDA research facility about 10 miles away and after acclimating to the facility, blood was collected, and water intakes were recorded during thermoneutral conditions. Then the cattle were subjected to moderately severe heat stress conditions for several days. OptiSaf® Beef heifers did, in fact, handle the negative effects of heat stress better than the other group of heifers, showing the following results: • Increased water intake (~1.5 gallons/hd/da) • Reduced body temperature • Tended to have reduced respiration rate (less stress) • Tended to have less serum cholesterol (indicator of less stress) Cravey is excited about the results of these livestock studies. “At Phileo Lesaffre Animal Care, we are dedicated to defining the best use of our branded products, including various strains, and proprietary combinations of products, in specific dosages that can help producers produce healthy animals with predictable performances. Our North American team of regional sales managers are seasoned professionals that have a tremendous amount of field experience. The North American technical group interacts with our global counterparts to determine the best field implementation of our branded products for farmers and ranchers. We welcome any questions producers may have about our company and branded products.” Ward adds that the research and field studies are ongoing, and he believes that continuing to improve cowherd management by using practices based on evidence-based solutions will help maximize the health and well being of cattle and minimize the effects of heat stress. “At Phileo Lesaffre Animal Care, we have both the research and products to help ensure animal health and producer profitability.” Producers wanting to learn more about products can go to their local feed supplier and ask for Phileo Lesaffre Animal Care products by name or can contact the company through the website at www.phileo-lesaffre.com.
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CATTLEMEN’S SHOWRING
Cattlemen’s Showring WE WANT YOUR
PICTURES!
Show us You CATTL r E!
Welcome to the Cattlemen’s Showring, a place for our readers to show off their cattle pictures. Each month we will take photos from Facebook or ones sent directly to us and feature them in this page. If you have any past, current, or future livestock photos with family, friends, or yourself included please send them our way. We will put them on Facebook as well as the new Cattlemen’s Showring. Send pictures to our Faceook inbox @americancattlemen or email them to us at info@twinriversmedia.com
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MONO-SLOPE BUILDINGS
IS A MONO-SLOPE BUILDING RIGHT FOR YOUR OPERATION? By Bruce Derksen Photos courtesy of Summit Livestock Facilities • www.summitlivestock.com
C
onstant change is a staple of cattle producer’s lives. Sometimes it is instigated by the producers themselves and sometimes it is a requirement demanded by outside forces, including government agencies. The question of whether to build or expand an open space feedlot or instead choose a covered roof or mono-slope building to house your livestock may depend on your location in the country, but there is no question that government regulations will expand rather than shrink and if you have not already been affected by them, rest assured you will be soon. Specific to Iowa, the Department of Natural Resources presently inspects numerous operations and indications are that the criteria and guidelines involving manure containment and run-off will become more stringent and wide spread in the near future.
Considering this, to stay ahead of the curve, producers looking to build new or expand existing feedyards should seriously evaluate erecting a mono-slope building to house their cattle. These structures can be used comfortably for both beef and dairy cattle and are generally built with the front and back open, often with canvas flaps that
can be dropped down in severe weather. Feed bunks and alleyways can be designed along the front or back leaving the interior completely open or partitioned with removable pens. There are many obvious benefits to a mono-slope building beyond the tightening government regulations regarding manure contain-
ment and run-off control affecting water sources and supplies. A large benefit is realized in times of extreme weather keeping cattle dry and comfortable no matter the harsh reality outdoors. This is not limited to only cold and wet conditions as the design allows for proper air flow and shade in extremely hot weather as well. It is a fact that feed digestion adds body heat and combined with stifling hot temperatures, can influence a drop in feed intake. Although data studies are limited as these types of structures have only recently begun gaining momentum, many early results point to higher average daily gains and better feed efficiency. It seems only natural that cattle in dry controlled conditions would perform at a higher rate than those dealing with the outdoor elements twenty four hours a day, often being forced to trudge through wet, sloppy mud * Continued on page 30
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BUILDING HIGHLY EFFICIENT ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE FACILITIES FOR THE BEEF INDUSTRY BEING RESPONSIBLE. As producers of the world’s greatest beef supply, we have the challenge of caring not only for our cattle, but the land, the water, our future, and our image.
IOWA BEEF SYSTEMS
10926 N.E. 117th Court Maxwell, Iowa 50161 515.450.1945 iowabeefsys@gmail.com www.cattlebuildings.com www.americancattlemen.com
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MONO-SLOPE BUILDINGS
and manure to reach feed and water. Limited studies on quality and quantity of bedding used in a mono-slope building also suggest a possible improvement in the carcass grading of finished animals. Another sometimes over-looked benefit to a mono-slope building is the quality of the manure generated. Every bit of the bedding waste and manure is contained without outside conditions such as rainfall and snow storms washing away the
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nutrients. This manure has high nutrient value and can substantially reduce the price of fertilizers required on grain lands. With good design and removable pens, these facilities can be cleaned regularly and the manure stock-piled in a controlled area to be used as needed throughout the year. There are drawbacks of course, the first being cost, but there are government programs available to lend a hand. At this point, their goal
is not to stone-wall livestock producers but to bring about compliance to environmental regulations and as such appear willing to be flexible. Some livestock producers have even grouped together with neighbors to control costs. Neighbors without cattle have constructed mono-slope buildings on their land to be used by the cattle producers. Costs of construction have been shared, with the cattle producer using the building and the neighbor receiving the high quality manure generated to off-set the costs of fertilizer for his grain farming. So if you as a cattle producer have decided to build a mono-slope building for any or all of the above reasons, be sure to do your homework. Make it roomy enough and expandable, putting in large doors and adding bunks and alleyways if required. When deciding on size, consider that it can even be used in off seasons and down times for feed or machinery storage. Beyond the aesthetic and clean look it can add to your livestock enterprise, you will be doing a small part to conserve the environment, producing happier more efficient livestock. It seems like a winning situation all around. www.americancattlemen.com
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PARTNERING WITH PRODUCERS FOR SUCCESS
SUMMIT LIVESTOCK MONOSLOPE BEEF BARNS OFFER PRODUCERS WIDE RANGE OF BENEFITS By Steve Weisman
B
eef producers and consumers alike are always looking for ways to more efficiently, safely and more cost effectively bring high quality beef to the market place. The challenge is there are so many variables that come into play: limited acces to high valued real estate, productivity and safety of the animals and the always-changing weather. So how can beef producers handle these variables? A recent movement has been to bring cattle indoors. At the forefront of this movement is Summit Livestock Facilities (www. summitlivestock.com), a construction company with a 60-year legacy that has built more than 20,000 pre-engineered, post-frame building structures. Summit Livestock was started to provide cost-effective facilities that are designed and engineered to serve the needs of protein producers throughout the U. S. Based in Remington, IN, Summit Livestock Facilities, itself was launched in 2011 to be a pioneer in the development and construction of innovative protein-producing livestock facilities. Their facilities do more than house animals—they improve animal health and production, improve operational effi-
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ciencies, solve regulatory issues, and alleviate social concerns. Their reputation for structural integrity, quality materials, and professionalism stands strong today. Ed Bahler, CEO and son of Edwin A. Bahler, the founder, says this about the reason for Summit Livestock Facilities. “Some of it was really a response to
a growing need that we saw and heard from our customers that they were being challenged to produce cattle in a more humane way, in a more sustainable and economical manner.”
Benefits of Summit Livestock Monoslope Buildings
To meet this demand, Summit Livestock Facilities has designed the monoslope facility, which has proven to provide cattle with the perfect outdoor/ indoor environment that offers six key benefits: • First, the facility houses the cattle by offering a warmer, more comfortable and drier environment. The barn offers excellent ventilation and year-round comfort with the warmth of the sun in the winter and protection from the hot sun in the summer. • Next, because of the more comfortable environment, the Summit Livestock monoslope barn offers improved cattle performance, which, according to Summit Livestock customers, includes between a 15 percent to 25 www.americancattlemen.com
percent increase in feed efficiencies over cattle raised outdoors. • A third positive is greater efficiencies with the producer able to better monitor feeding patterns (reducing waste), able to more readily catch health issues earlier to better manage animal care and by designing the building for more efficient workflows, the producer can improve employees’ performance, as well. • The fourth positive is optimized fertilizer value. With a monoslope building, the producer cannot only manage cattle waste more efficiently, but also protect its nutrient value from rain, wind and sunlight. In fact, research shows that the nutrient value of manure from an open lot is about $35 per head per year, while nutrient value of manure stored under roof in a slatover-pit cattle building is about $75 per head per year depending on fertilizer prices. • The ability to provide a safe environment is also an important factor, especially when it comes to cows and calves. Being able to monitor the cows prior to birth, through the birthing process and raising calves in an environment that is safe and easily monitored is a true benefit in the expansion of the monoslope in beef production. • A final benefit is building a legacy. It’s more than the herd, or the EPA or the producer’s ROI. It’s about tomorrow and the producer’s descendants. It’s about building a structure, a business and a future. Summit gets it, and the buildings reflect it. Reflecting on the impact of Summit
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Livestock Facilities, Bahler notes, “For us, it’s about making a difference for our customers. You make a difference by innovating and finding a better way to do it. We have the people who can really dig deep into facility problems or production problems or technology problems. That is unique in this industry. It’s about addressing what threatens their organization long term and being competent and capable enough to find deep seated and deeply rooted solutions to those issues.”
From a Producer’s Perspective
When Ashton Gronewold graduated from college in 2009, he knew he wanted to come back to the farm near Carthage, IL and work with his dad, Merlin. Although he worked off the farm fulltime, Gronewold began building up a cowherd. In 2016, he went fulltime on the farm and with his brother-in-law Evan joining them, the cow calf herd
has grown to 150 pairs in the spring and another 150 pairs in the fall. At this point, they knew that they needed to develop a better management system. Gronewold says, “We started looking in early 2016 and looked at an awful lot of styles and types, and asked as many questions as we could to get a feel for what would work best for us. We began to narrow it down, deciding we wanted to go with an indoor facility. After a lot of research, we chose to go with a monoslope building from Summit Livestock Facilities.” Through the research, Gronewold found there was a lot to like about an indoor facility. “First, we were looking
at the availability and cost of pasture, which is becoming more and more expensive. This would allow us the opportunity to add 150 cows to our farm without increasing the number of acres of pasture. We were also looking at improving our operating efficiency and improving our feed efficiency. Finally, we wanted to improve our profit potential. After our research, we turned to
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PARTNERING WITH PRODUCERS FOR SUCCESS
Ed Leman, Sales Manager for Summit Livestock Facilities, to learn more.” At this point, Leman became an important part of the decision-making process. According to Leman, “In general terms, it’s about trying to maximize their potential and make the facility as efficient as possible. By going with a Summit Livestock monoslope building, the cattle receive optimum ventilation, shade during the heat of the summer and full sun in the cold of the winter. Essentially, the weather variables are removed from the equation.” Leman believes, “It’s always important to sit down with producers and learn what their goals are. Each one is different, and it’s about creating the plan that will meet their needs. We can even design a facility based on future expansions.” Even though each barn is pre-engineered, the system is flexible and allows for each one to be designed and built specifically for that producer. “The smallest I have sold is a 40’ x 90’ facility, while the largest is a 100’ x 1315’ monoslope building. However, we can really design for any size operation. Based on size and complexity, construction can take anywhere from three to six months.” Leman continues, “So, Ashton and I sat down and discussed their vision,
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what they were looking for in a facility.” Based on their conversations, they came up with a 100’ x 252’ monoslope building with a capacity for up to 300 head of cattle or in Ashton’s case, 150 cow calf pairs. It is designed with three pens to house the pairs with feed bunks on both sides. Cornhusks are used for bedding and a bed pack used for storing manure. The monoslope barn construction began in late October of 2016 with the structure completed before the end of the year. Now 10 months later, Gronewold has this to say about the process and the results. “The entire preparation and construction can be totally turnkey, or the producer can do some of the work. We did a lot of the dirt work and building prep. Then Summit came in and did all of the concrete work and the construction of the building.” So, will the monoslope building handle severe weather situations? Gronewold says, “This past spring we had a bad storm come through with 85 mph winds, and the structure withstood everything. They came out and did a quality inspection, and everything checked out.” As for reaping the benefits of the new building, Gronewold asserts, “We do a lot better job managing our cattle with the monoslope. It’s easy to walk in there and check them multiple times a day. Our feed is getting utilized at 100 percent, and we can monitor exactly what they need to have. Calving was way easier in the barn; that’s been the highlight. The footing was good, the conditions were good, the cows never had a wet back and the calves have been tamed since we’re in there so much.”
The Summit Livestock Way: The Producer’s Way
Both Leman and Gronewold concur that the key to the entire process is taking the time to sit down and talk through the producer’s vision and discussing the entire process. Producers can do as much or as little as they feel comfortable doing. Summit Livestock offers a total turnkey approach that basically covers everything: • Partnering with registered PE’s in the producer’s area for smoother permitting • Maintaining a network of industry experts and advocates • Procurement to get the right materials at the best price • Supervising, coordinating and communicating with subcontractors • Communicating and coordinating with all parties, including animal husbandry and company stakeholders • Developing and maintaining a comprehensive schedule that includes site preparation, concrete foundations and flatwork and providing a skilled, expert crew In addition, the Summit performance agreement essentially transfers the risk from the producer to Summit: • Brings predictability to the job • Creates a seamless, efficient process • Ensures that all parties work together • Protects schedules • Provides a consistent level of quality • Maintains a safe site To learn more about what Summit Livestock Facilities can offer you, give them a call at (800) 213-0567, or go to summitlivestock.com/info to request more information. www.americancattlemen.com
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A.I. TECHNIQUES
Photo courtesy of www.thehomesteadlife.com
DIFFERENT A.I. TECHNIQUES
AND METHOD FOR FERTILITY By Jaclyn Krymowski for American Cattlemen
T
he A.I. procedure is very standard across the cattle industry and is often done going through the motions without much thought. This simple procedure hangs very heavily on both method and skill of the technician. Various studies have proven that the slightest change in technique can have a heavy positive or negative impact on fertility outcomes. Technicians who struggle to maintain consistent pregnancy rate may benefit from exploring the different procedure options.
There are three basic A.I. methods used across the various livestock species. These are the direct vaginal method, the recto vaginal method, and the speculum method. Based on the size and structure of the bovine reproductive tract, two methods are accepted as proper methods for insemination in beef cattle.
Comparing methods in cattle
In the dairy and beef industries, the most commonly practiced A.I. method is the recto vaginal, largely due to
its practicality and being believed to be the safest for the animal. It uses manipulation of the reproductive tract, primarily the cervix, through rectal palpation. The technician must have a thorough understanding of reproductive anatomy with the skill to penetrate the cervical os and properly deposit the semen using only blind palpation. The size of cattle and durability of their cervix make this method an industry standard. It requires little equipment other than an A.I. rod and a sleeve and takes only a short amount
of time to learn. The speculum method is a much lesser used methodology among cattlemen, though it may have some benefits that could lead to its rise in the future. This method is widely practiced in small ruminants, namely goats, due to their smaller size which prevents the technician from being able to physically manipulate the reproductive tract through the rectum. It entails placing a speculum (or spectrum) into the vagina pushed up to the posterior end of the cervix. Viewing the cervical os through the speculum, the rod is pushed through the cervix and deposited. The French company, IMV Technologies, has developed a tool called AlphaVision to enhance the speculum method in cattle. This device comes with a camera and digital screen to help the technician see * Continued on page 38
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A.I. TECHNIQUES
the cervical os with the speculum. The technician only needs to go through the rectum to hold the cervix and ensure proper placement of the gun on the anterior side. Some advantages to using a speculum in cattle include being able to visualize any abnormalities in the vagina or cervix and to confirm heats by seeing the cervical mucus. A speculum also offers fewer difficulties getting the gun through the cervix since seeing the os prevents the tip from getting caught in the fornix. The physical handling of the cervix is also much more minimal, which can eliminate potential injury to the lining of the rectum or uterus due to overly rough handling.
Other techniques to enhance success
effective. Often, these programs will work as well as visual or electronic estrous detection and can save valuable time at the same time. Another A.I. strategy often overlooked is semen placement. Proper semen placement is a crucial piece of a successful A.I. technique. A 1989 study published in the Journal of Reproduction Fertilization tracked semen placement by inseminating cows with dye and examining the reproductive tracts of the animals’ post-mortem. Technicians who had a nonreturn rate above 78% placed semen directly in the uterine body over 85% of the time, whereas those with a nonreturn rate below 70% only deposited semen directly into the uterine body 34% of the time. Another
study in 1984 conducted at the Pennsylvania State University was published in the Journal of Animal Science. This study used radiology to monitor rod tip placement in a live animal. It found that only 39% of inseminations had the rod tip placed in the uterine body, with 25% of placements being still in the cervix. As a result, only 40% of the semen was placed in either the uterine body or distributed equally between left and right horns. Neither study found a significant difference between professional technicians and owner technicians. Rather, placement was dependent upon an individual’s skill and ability to locate rod tip position in the reproductive tract.
Fixed time A.I. (FTAI) often accompanies different A.I. programs on operations that need to make the most out of every insemination, or need animals bred within a specific time frame. This is especially true for herds targeting a narrow seasonal calving window. For heifers, feeding an MGA or putting in CIDRs are often best to synchronize these young virgin animals. For mature cows, injectable prostaglandins, such as a pre-synch or ovsynch program or CIDRs are most
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MANAGING CATTLE
PROGRESS TAKES PLANNING
“SUCCESS IN ANY AREA OF LIFE TAKES PLANNING AND RAISING CATTLE IS NO EXCEPTION.” By Aly McClure
I
n any area of life your success depends on foresight and planning, raising cattle is no different. You have to go through and not only have goals but a feasible action plan to attain them. Managing a herd of beef cattle requires yearly and lifetime actions covering everything from health to property maintenance, they all affect your animals. To start with your best foot forward calf health is a crucial cornerstone in your herds future. Every animal starts as a calf. Talking with feedyard manager, T.J. McClure – of Circle Heifer Development in Garden City, KS – “Good heifer health begins with good calf health.
When a calf is doctored more than two times before six months of age that calf should be culled. Beyond that point the animal is very likely to be sickly it’s entire life and cost you more money in the long run than if you take care of the problem in the front end. Your investment,
time and financial, should be on the animals that have the best chance of success.” Setting up and following a vaccination protocol including parameters like McClure mentioned gives you a base line scale to evaluate animals on and make effective decisions for the future of your herd. Along the lines of animal health comes nutrition, they really walk hand in hand with each other. A healthy animal is a properly fed animal, and an easier to breed animal. With proper pasture rotation * Continued on page 44
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MANAGING CATTLE
you should be able to get a quality sample of the forage available to be able to tell what types of supplementation your herd may need. During the summer months it is very common to supplement a cow herd with vitamins and minerals to balance out what is already available to them on pasture which can vary by region. To keep your cattle in good condition and producing quality milk for calves until weening it is very important to manage their intake. The other corner of this beef herd management trifecta is the property maintenance aspect. To keep your animals safe and happy you must keep up with the demands of your property. This can mean different things for every farm and ranch but the basics are pretty easy to keep up with, 1. The elimination of noxious weeds to keep them from robbing the moisture and nutrition from your pastures. 2. Fence maintenance is a must. Intact and working fencing is vital to keeping your farm animals safe and your neighbor’s friends. Walking or riding 44
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your fence line regularly, checking for damage and repairing promptly. 3. Keeping a reliable pasture rotation schedule to reduce over grazing and damaging the grass available, and replanting when necessary. 4. Checking your water regularly and creating sustainable procedures to ensure proper usage and availability. While it can be difficult to go into
specific details of beef herd management because every area of our country requires different things, the basics will always be the same. As you go into this spring and summer season make it your goal to find at least one area you can improve on and use this as your corner stone to continually build upon your operation for a successful future and visible progress.
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