Impact of Cutting Alfalfa in the Fall
The objective of any plant is to produce seed to ensure the longevity of the species in a forage stand. If cut at the bud to flowering...
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- Sep 3
Calculating the Value of Dry Forage vs. Silage
Forages can be harvested as hay, greenfeed, or silage. The difference is the amount of moisture in the feed. When buying or selling...
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- Aug 22
Feeding Light Weight Barley to Cattle
Due to the heat and drought conditions, some barley crops have test weights as low as 40 pounds per bushel. How does the quality compare...
103 views
- Aug 14
Are the Cows Getting Enough Quality Water?
Cows drinking from a pasture watering system.
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- Jul 23
Storing Hay in Hot Weather
When hay or greenfeed is baled, it will go through a sweat period that can last three to seven days. The breaking of stems during baling...
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- Jul 17
Salvaging Hailed Crops
A hailstorm has damaged the crop. The decision has been made to salvage what remains. If insured, clearance has been obtained to cut the...
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- Jun 18
Clipping or Swathing Early Maturing Pastures
Plants are heading out earlier than normal this year. This includes most areas that were dry for several years and continue to be dry....
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- Jun 12
Energy and Protein Supplementation on Early Season Pastures
Forage quality decreases with maturity. Soil fertility, temperature, moisture availability, and plant type present in the stand all...
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- Jun 5
When to Start Creep Feeding Calves?
The most efficient growth of any animal is when they are young. They are building bone, muscle, and other tissues needed to grow. Very...
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- May 20
Turning Cows Out to Pasture
Pastures that were grazed intensely last year will take longer to start growing. When the crown of a plant is injured by late season...
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- Apr 23
Which Tub is Better?
I received an email this week from a cow calf producer. He wanted to know which of the six tubs he could purchase would be best to use. ...
36 views
- Apr 3
Importance of Maintaining Cow Weight After Calving
With a smaller cow herd in both Canada and the United States, the demand for calves in the fall of 2024 will be high. Reducing the number...
339 views
- Feb 21
Stretching Feed Supplies After Calving
If feed supplies are getting low, there are some options available to stretch feed inventory through to spring. What can be done to use...
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- Feb 6
Why Protein is Important
All living creatures and plants contain protein. Plants take in nitrogen to produce protein. Some animals, including cattle, consume...
82 views
- Jan 2
Culling Open Younger Cows?
It is very common for producers to sell open cows after pregnancy checking. Some are old cows, and they need to be culled, and others are...
73 views
- Nov 14, 2023
High Iron in Cattle Rations Can Cause Mineral Imbalances
Most of the attention on mineral excesses is typically focused on sulfur and molybdenum. Less attention is paid to iron, but it should...
52 views
- Oct 17, 2023
Grazing Crop Regrowth
It is not uncommon for producers to graze annual crop stubble fields. This year, with feed supplies being in short supply, crop regrowth...
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- Oct 4, 2023
Getting Thin Cows Ready for Winter
With limited forage available in many pastures, it is difficult to keep cows in good condition going into winter. A cow that is 200...
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- Sep 25, 2023
Including Kochia in Cattle Rations
Kochia (Kochia scoparia L.) is a salt tolerant annual weed that grows well in road sides, around sloughs, and in cropland. Reported...
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- Sep 20, 2023
Forage Quality on Pasture and Manure
As forages mature, quality decreases. After tame grass plants head out, protein content decreases 1 to 1 ½ % per week and total...
99 views
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