Change is in the air. That was one of the themes of the meetings I attended while at the Black Hills Stock Show this past week. Change with markets, change with the administration in Washington, DC and it can seem that uncertainty is the new normal. However, we can be certain of one thing, proper nutrition and supplementation of your cattle herd is more important than is has ever been. With the cattle markets down, it can be tempting to look for places to cut costs. Nutrition should never be on that list, here’s why.
Continuing the convenience and cost savings of CRYSTALYX supplement programs
CRYSTALYX® Brand Supplements offers a wide range of product options that economically deliver nutrients and additives to your cattle. The consistent and predictable intake control is the primary means of controlling cost. However, a big part of the economical delivery is due to reduced labor, reduced time invested, and NO need for additional equipment. The “barrel” is the feeding equipment.
Beef replacement heifers on track for breeding
Replacement heifers are your future cow herd and contribute yearly to the advancement of your genetics along with a significant impact on profitability. Genetics, nutritional development, health programs and breeding management will ultimately define your cow herd. Get them right and they will provide you years of successful returns to your cow-calf operation.
Time for CRYSTALYX Breed-Up products
The two most critical times of the year for proper trace mineral and vitamin supplementation in your beef cow herd are, prior to calving, and prior to breeding.
Veterinary feed directive rules are here
Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) rules took effect January 1, 2017. Some of you may have gone to your local feed store to purchase a medicated feed or medicated supplement, only to be told that they could not sell it to you without your VFD paperwork.
Getting a good start with CRYSTALYX nutrition in 2017
Several previous blogs by my colleagues and me in 2016, stressed the importance of nutrition in late pregnancy, winter, post calving and breeding periods. For a cow that will be calving in the next 90 days, the next 6 months will be the most nutrient demanding months for her this year.
4 words for 2017
As 2016 comes to a close, we can look back and wish for the golden days of the cattle market, or we can look to what’s just beyond the horizon. We all know what good looking back does, so here are a few words/concepts to consider as we enter a new year, a new market cycle, new rules on feeding cattle and a new administration.
Winter conditions and increasing nutrient demand in late gestation
Many parts of the country are experiencing cold winter conditions with some areas receiving snow and the coldest temperature of the year. It takes more time and effort to get regular chores completed. In addition, we need to push snow, pull out stuck vehicles, break ice and thaw frozen water pipes. When you consider the extra energy that humans need, it helps put our cattle’s nutrient requirements into prospective.
New Year's resolutions for cattle producers
In two short weeks we will be ringing in 2017 and putting 2016 to bed. Lots of changes have taken place this past year in the cattle markets, feed grain carryover stocks, US elections, world political landscape, etc. Like every new year, we get a chance at a “fresh” start. To do things differently. To do those things that we never get around to doing. To stop doing things that we should never have done in the first place. To do those things that we know we should be doing, but for some reason have not been able to get them done. To make the time to get what needs to be done… done. And to simply, do the right things. A New Year’s Resolution is defined as a firm decision to either do, or not do, something. It’s completely up to you.
What’s the difference between low cost and high return cow-calf producers?
After attending the annual Cattle Fax Outlook Session, there is no mistake that we are back in a 10-year beef cattle cycle. Most importantly, there are a few years still ahead of declining profitability in the cow-calf sector. There will be years ahead that Low Return Producers could lose money on their cow herd, while High Return Producers will likely still be above water.
