It’s Thanksgiving. We often reflect around Christmas and New Years on the past year; its good times and tough times. I think Thanksgiving is also a time to reflect, and reflect on all the positive things we have in our homes, businesses, and country. I for one, am thankful to be working, living and raising a family in the livestock industry and the feed business that supports it. We in the feed and supplement business, are in the cattle business too. Our success is dependent on our customers’ success. So, for this, I’m thankful for my customer’s success.
Beef production and technology
Technology is everywhere. Our homes are wireless, tractors all but drive themselves, and you can even get reminders on your phone to put out fresh barrels. As much as technology is readily accepted in other areas everyday life, there is hesitation when it comes to technology and food production. Public concern over the use of feed additives in food animals is high with those outside the ag community. However, what would happen if the growth enhancing technology (GET) we take for granted in cattle production (ionophores, implants, etc.) where no longer available?
Grazing crop residue and stock piled pasture can help minimize feeding cost
The current cattle economics situation is making everyone evaluate their feeding programs and overall production cost. Markets have their cycles and it is hard to say how long this period of low prices will last, given how quickly markets have moved in the last 2-3 years. As you look at your feeding program, remember it is the cost per pound of product sold that is the true driver of profitability.
Sustainability in the beef industry: Where do you stand?
I like to focus my blogs around timely nutrition and management topics for beef cow-calf producers whenever I can. My motivation is mainly to provide useful information that can help keep beef producers in business today and in the future. However, I thought I might take a break from that theme with a few observations related to the “Sustainability” term that keeps coming at us with increasing intensity.
The calves are weaned, what next?
Many of you with spring calving herds, have probably already weaned this year’s calves, or, you are about to. Profit margins in the cow calf business have become quite slim this year. It has been said that most anyone could make money in the cow-calf business in 2014. This year, we will need a sharp pencil to make a good profit, and next year will likely be the same.
Myths about NPN
If you could get the same productivity out of your cattle for less cost, wouldn’t you consider it? The practice of utilizing non-protein nitrogen (NPN) in ruminant feed does just that! Use of NPN-containing supplements is a long established, successful practice. However, many misconceptions still persist. The purpose of this article is to explore the science behind the use of NPN, including advantages and disadvantages of this practice so that cattle producers may form an informed decision.
CRYSTALYX: Not just a nutrient or tag
It’s no secret this fall is a different fall than the past two or three regarding the cattle market. The pressure is on to scrutinize cost, not just feed, but all costs. My neighbor brought some cows to our place for fall pasture this past weekend and commented that, “not many new pickups will be sold this fall.”
5 more questions about VFDs
It’s hard to believe that we’re already in October. Three months remain in 2016 and three months remain before the VFD rule goes into effect. While this rule change does not affect any CRYSTALYX® products, we want to be sure that you are well versed in what will be affected and what you will need to do. Below are 5 more questions that have come from the field as the deadline draws near.
Weaning calves with minimal stress
Weaning is one of the more stressful times for calves. Managing weaning stress is a major factor that determines when many producers market their calf crop. Weaning stress is a combination of nutritional and social changes forced upon the calf. Avoiding the risk of health problems at weaning is one reason some producers choose to wean on the trailer as the calves go to the sale barn.
Adapting to the ups and downs in the cow-calf business
I have been traveling a fair bit the last couple of months and participated in a number of activities and conferences that have discussed the future of beef production and the overall Beef Industry. Some of the topics have been more related to the near future and others a much more distant future, maybe not even in my life time. We all deal with change every day and realize that it’s outcomes can be viewed as positive, negative or pretty neutral.
