Regional Roundup

Many beef producers rely on corn silage to develop cost-effective, high-quality rations. Proper timing of harvest and storage management has a big impact on the success of feedstuff quality throughout the winter months and into the spring.

Heat stress – does it matter? It could cause loss of productivity in the form of lost pregnancies, reduced feed efficiency and gains while potentially increasing sickness and possible death loss. In those terms, it certainly can matter a lot. Heat stress is going to happen to some degree.

I often hear people say they want a higher phosphorus (P) level in their mineral to help with reproduction. Before feeding a higher phosphorus mineral, it is important to take a look back at research on phosphorus supplementation and what exactly was observed in those studies.

The grazing season on Western rangelands is in full swing, and the presence of flies (i.e., horn, face and stable) on cattle can have negative impacts on health and performance. Summer represents peak fly populations, and for much of the West, moisture has been good, which intensifies this management challenge.

Many cows across the Midwest entered the breeding season in less-than-ideal body condition. Research has shown body condition score (BCS) is directly related to postpartum interval, or the number of days from calving to the subsequent calf conception.

One of my dad’s favorite sayings was, “There’s more than one way to skin a cat.” When it comes to types of calf weaning methods, this phrase could easily be used.