Feed & Nutrition

As an extension specialist and a nutritionist, I get a couple calls a week from folks who ask, “Hey Doc, will you throw together a ration for me?”

Beef production costs can be a moving target. With costs of transportation, feed and fertilizer varying as they do, most producers are compelled to do everything possible to manage these costs to maintain profits.

Have you noticed the trend with the Cattle on Feed reports? It seems these surveys continually report an increase in cattle on feed. Up 4 percent (July Cattle on Feed, 2018) from last year in July 2017 and the highest since reporting started in 1996.

As summer forage quantity and quality declines in the early fall, many cattle producers begin to think about supplementation options in their operation. This is especially the case for fall-calving systems, as herd nutrient needs increase prior to and just after calving.

Feeding cost of gain is one of the most important factors explaining changes in cattle finishing. The recent volatility in corn prices leads to questions regarding the impact of lower or higher corn prices on feeding cost of gain. In addition to corn prices, feeding cost of gain is impacted by changes in forage prices and animal performance. This article examines trends in feeding cost of gain and the sensitivity of feeding cost of gain to changes in corn price, alfalfa price and feed conversion.

Weaning season is a critical time of the year as cattle producers prepare calves for the next stage of production. Through proper weaning practices, large- and small-scale producers can maximize the performance and value of their calves, whether as stockers, feeders or replacement heifers.