Feed & Nutrition

The summer heat can be hard on pastures, cows and calves, especially first-calf cows. These cows are in a special class as they are still trying to maintain body condition, actively grow, support reproduction by gestating with a second calf and lactating.

Minerals have jobs in nearly every biological process that occurs in the cow’s body – from the ability to get the cow bred, to bone and muscle growth of both cow and calf, to successful calving of a heathy calf.

One of the most common topics discussed when feeding pasture and breeding cattle is protein. Producers are concerned with crude protein in their hays, pastures, supplements and so on.

As we get closer to spring and begin to think about green grass and grazing cattle, it is a good time to evaluate your mineral supplementation program. It takes more than just energy and protein to ensure optimal health and performance of beef cattle.

A growing number of farmers and ranchers are raising grass-finished beef using high-quality forages that facilitate good gain and finish without grain, creating a healthier meat product.

In the last decade, there has been an increasing interest in baleage production in the Southeast. Baleage, or high-moisture forage baled and ensiled at 40 to 60 percent moisture, may provide an alternative source of stored high-quality forage during the winter months compared with traditional hay feeding systems.