Feed & Nutrition

With today’s increasing grain prices, producers are looking for alternative feedstuffs for their cattle.

Evaluations to extend the grazing season look promising for: spring grazing of winter cereals; summer and/or fall grazing of pearl millet, teff, cereals, vetch or rapeseed combinations; and fall/early winter grazing of turnips or rapeseed with stockpiled pasture/pearl millet/cereals.

When cost of production rises, producers aggressively seek out information and tools that can have a positive influence on their bottom line.

The nutritional needs of cows increase by 25 percent to 35 percent after calving compared to late gestation. For many producers, this postpartum period comes at a time when they are still feeding stored forages.

Forage is a beef producer’s greatest resource, but sometimes it needs to be stretched or alternatives considered and fed when Mother Nature is less than cooperative.

According to a recent study performed at Padova University on beef cattle, organic selenium supplementation (Alkosel3000 from Lallemand) can improve meat processing quality and organoleptic qualities, when compared to mineral selenium. The trial showed that organic selenium, not only enhanced the animal anti-oxidant status, but also improved meat tenderness and visual aspect, in line with consumer expectations, and reduced drip loss for the processor. This is an excellent illustration of the ‘farm-to-fork’ benefits of a natural feed additive and additional proof of organic selenium’s superior bioavailability.