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This section covers information pertaining to cattle feed and livestock feeding. Nutrition is an important area in livestock production. Ranches today keep a close eye on feed and nutrition. Try keyword searches like by-products, commodities, or total digestible nutrients, and you find scores of helpful articles.
Livestock Water is Essential, Even in Winter
published: February 9th 2018 by: Ted Wiseman source: OSU Extension
Water is essential for all livestock regardless of the time of year. So far this year we have certainly had our share of chopping ice, thawing water lines and troughs. With recent temperatures many of us often focus on keeping livestock well fed and with adequate shelter....
Plan to feed your hay efficiently
published: September 29th 2017 source: Arkansas University Extension
Feeding hay without the protection of feeders can result in 20% or greater hay waste. This can increase the cost of hay consumed by more than $30 per cow over winter. Consider using a bale feeder that has a metal sheet around the bottom or a feeder that cradles the hay in the center of the feeder to minimize waste....
Fresh grocery produce as a supplement for livestock feed
published: May 24th 2017 by: – V. Fellner, J.M. Rice and M. Boersig source: The Professional Animal Scientist
The fact that almost a third of the annual food produced in the United States is not consumed by humans has drawn wide attention in recent years. Typically, 97% of wasted food is disposed in landfills....
Hay producers should consider quality over quantity
published: April 7th 2017 by: Adam Russell
OVERTON – Produc-ing quality hay takes planning but can be worth the effort, said Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts. Dr. Jason Banta, Agri Life Extension beef cattle specialist, Overton, said producing high quality hay can eliminate the need for protein and energy supplementation for beef cattle during the winter....
Mineral supplementation review
published: March 9th 2017 by: Dr. Jason Smith Assistant Professor, UT source: University of Tennessee Beef Cattle Extension
With much needed moisture in the ground (at least relatively speaking), and unseasonably warm temperatures across much of Tennessee over the past few weeks, the spring green-up has begun earlier than in years prior....
The breeding bull: Your herd’s ultimate athlete
published: February 13th 2017 source: Purina Animal Nutrtiion
Shoreview, Minn. [February 7, 2017] – LeBron James. Tom Brady. Usain Bolt. These names bring with them a certain performance standard. Each season, fans expect these athletes to be in top form, to perform and to achieve results no one else is capable of....
Size matters when it comes to feeding forages
published: January 27th 2017 by: Kay Ledbetter
Just how much forage does a ruminant need if a ruminant does need forage? Dr. Jenny Jennings, a Texas A&M AgriLife Research beef nutritionist in Amarillo, and her team are on their second research trial aimed at determining forage needs for proper rumination in beef cattle consuming high concentrate diets....
Five myths surrounding the Veterinary Feed Directive
published: January 27th 2017 by: Leilana McKindra source: Oklahoma State University Extension
STILLWATER, Okla. – While it is true change can be a good thing, it rarely occurs without a learning curve. Not surprisingly, then, that is the case with the Veterinary Feed Di-rective (VFD) after the U....
Nutritional Management of Spring-Calving Cows Should be a Priority this Winter
published: January 20th 2017 by: Dr. Jason Smith Assistant Professor, UT source: University of Tennessee Beef Cattle Extension
With the recent drought conditions across much of the Southeast, hay and other forage resources will likely be in short supply this winter. With the added frustration of current feeder cattle prices, many of us may consider cutting corners on our winter feeding program....
Winter ration considerations for beef cows
published: December 13th 2016 by: Travis Meteer source: University of Illinois
Feed costs represent over half the total cost in a cow-calf production system. The majority of feed costs are from feeding cows during the winter season when most grasses are dormant. As a result of this, producers can greatly impact the profitability by managing winter feed costs....
Selecting supplemental feeds
published: November 7th 2016 by: Dr. Jason Smith Assistant Professor, UT source: University of Tennessee
As we start to feel that familiar bite of the late fall air, and many of our forages go dormant for the year, it shouldn’t come as a shock that the economic burden of winter-time feed costs will soon be knocking on our door....
Combination food plots can attract deer year-round
published: September 16th 2016 by: Adam Russell
By Adam Russell OVERTON – It’s time to plant food plots for white-tailed deer as hunting season approaches, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert. Dr. Billy Higginbotham, AgriLife Extension wild-life specialist, Overton, has a food plot combination proven to attract whitetails and keep them hooked through the hunting season and beyond....
Tool available for calculating nutrient value
published: July 21st 2016 source: BioZyme
A critical component in maximizing the profitability of any beef feeding program is being able to identify feeds that provide the required nutrients at a good price. BioZyme® Inc., experts in all-natural livestock nutrition, has created a free online tool for cattle producers that estimates feed values based on feedstuff nutrient content and current market prices....
Consideration of Fat and Protein in Alternative Feeds
published: July 20th 2016 by: Tara Felix source: University of Pennsylvania Extension
Cattle are tremendous creatures that can handle many feeds that non-ruminant animals, pigs and chickens, for example, cannot eat. Thus, beef cattle producers are uniquely positioned to use new and changing feed ingredients....
Balancing Mineral Needs
published: April 11th 2016 by: Travis Meteer source: University of Illinois Extension
Have you ever watched a person walk a tight rope? The balance and precision that it takes to make it from one side to the other is incredible. Focus and attention must be combined with talent and practice....
The Energy Value of Distillers is Greater Than Corn in Forage Based Diets
published: March 17th 2016 by: Mary Drewnoski, UNL Beef Systems Special source: University of Nebraska
Distillers grains is greater in protein than corn but it is also greater in energy. When evaluating the cost of supplements for beef cows or calves, producers should be comparing the cost on a per lb of nutrient needed....
Understanding nutrient requirements of beef cows
published: January 29th 2016 by: Igrow
Understanding the nu-trient requirements of beef cows is essential to ensuring that requirements are being met and cow performance is optimized while utilizing available feeds in a cost-effective manner....
Feed Needs During Cold Weather
published: December 30th 2015 source: Oklahoma Farm Report
The major effect of cold on nutrient requirement of cows is increased need for energy. To determine magnitude of cold, lower critical temperature for beef cows must first be estimated. For cows with a dry winter hair coat the lower critical temperature is considered to be 32 degrees F....
Test Your Hay
published: October 14th 2015 by: Chelsea Clodfelder source: Purdue University Extension
A Purdue University veterinarian urges cattlemen to test their hay before relying on it as the sole ration for their cattle this year because a very wet spring delayed some harvests. Mature hay has less energy than hay cut at earlier maturity and is not likely to adequately support a cow's nutritional needs during winter, said W....
AgriLife Extension forage sorghum hybrid trial has special purpose
published: October 2nd 2015 by: Kay Ledbetter source: Texas A&M University Extension
AMARILLO – More than 100 forage sorghum hybrids from 13 commercial companies across the U.S. growing in a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service production trial have a unique role to play, according to an AgriLife Extension specialist....
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