In my opinion, one of the most underutilized tools in the cow-calf sector is taking forage samples. Having these samples is one of the most useful assets when putting together a strategy for winter-feeding, which can account for up to 30% of a cattle operation’s yearly costs.
Stress relief for cattle and cattle producers
Stress from work; stress from the weather; stress from meeting new people and all those youngsters being rowdy around you. This might sound like the scenario some teachers face as they go back to school in the fall, but I’m actually referring to what our young calves face around weaning.
Prepare now for the next calving season
As we approach the end of summer, with noticeably shorter days, cooler overnight temperatures and planning for the upcoming crop harvest, it can be difficult to think about what next spring will be like.
Phosphate ingredients in CRYSTALYX from a cost and nutritive standpoint
When you think of a CRYSTALYX supplement, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? For many, what comes to mind is a supplement that provides protein to help their animals better utilize forage — especially low-quality forage.
How can CRYSTALYX help cow-calf producers in a drought?
Most of the Western U.S. and parts of Western Canada are deep into a drought this summer. When the map below of the U.S. Drought Monitor for the week of July 27, 2021, was released, an addendum noted that the data showed that, as of that week, “the highest percentage of the U.S. is in an extreme/exceptional drought since the data series began in 2000”.
Early weaning stress: Helping calves cope
As I write this blog, it’s a typical, stuffy summer morning in southern Ohio. The air is still, the fog is thick and the forecast is calling for humidity in the 80s and temperatures in the 90s. This is not exactly a perfect recipe for cows to comfortably maximize their grazing abilities in our fescue pastures, but there is plenty of quality forage available for them to consume.
There’s one thing that we can all agree on: It’s HOT!
There is an endless amount of variation in the cattle business. Currently, in the United States and Canada, some regions are experiencing severe drought, while other areas are abnormally wet.
The all-new CRYSTALYX app: Download it today!
Imagine what life today would be like without a cell phone. You may sometimes think to yourself, “I sure could get a lot more done without this phone constantly going off” — but think of all the conveniences it also brings.
Garlic: Another option to combat flies
It seems that we are hearing more about the practice of using garlic as a feed supplement for livestock to reduce the negative impact of fly populations. The practice of feeding garlic or garlic-derived compounds isn’t new, but more supporting evidence and research into the benefits is starting to appear.
Performance is served — digitally: Apps, blogs, podcasts and social media
One of my most senior customers started texting this week, which confirms that we have reached the digital age. All jokes aside, it is a digital world. The cell phones we all carry have more capacity than the computers aboard Apollo 13 did when it landed on the moon. One benefit of the digital world is being more connected to our family and friends, as well as to our customers — and not just to customers of CRYSTALYX® Brand Supplements, but to the ultimate customer: the beef consumer.
