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Cattleman’s Corner

One of the Brown Bear Manufacturing front-mounted compost turner/aerators.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Composting is a manure-handling option

Reduces volume, conserves nitrogen and increases soil organic matter

By
A few years ago I was introduced to composting, the process of using the billions of bacteria around us to convert raw organic mixtures to soil. Advice I have received says the organic matter needs a 20:1 (optimum) carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. Compost can be made with as low as 17:1 and as high as 27:1, but […] Read more
After a bit of trial and error we discovered a simple and inexpensive way to modify these feeders to prevent the heifers from climbing in.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Modify bale feeders for yearlings

Simple, relatively low-cost solutions to keep young stock out of the feeders

By
We have used large rectangular and round hay bale feeders for several years to feed replacement heifers and bull calves We prefer the flex feeders because they will accommodate a large rectangular bale or round bale, and, if not allowed to freeze to the ground, permit the calves to push and collapse the feeders to […] Read more
File: Grazing land.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

A two-step (plus) grazing plan

Use the grass, but don’t abuse it — allow for recovery time

By
Often I see people’s eyes glaze over and a sense of disconnect when talking about grazing plans — surely after caring for cattle all winter, we can just turn them out in the spring and go round them up in the fall. Like most of agriculture now, the pressure for returns on a land base […] Read more
Stockpiled forage for late fall and winter grazing can be produced by not grazing a pasture at all until late fall, 
or by grazing it early in the season and then “resting it” — bringing cows back when the snow flies.
Cattleman’s Corner, Forages, Livestock

More details on Step 3 of the two-step grazing plan

Use the grass, but then give it a chance to recover before coming back

By
Step 3 of the two-step grazing plan could also be titled, “How To Not Graze,” as this by far seems to be the biggest challenge facing pastures in Western Canada and perhaps around the world. In order for grazing to be successful, we first have to grow forage, and in order to do this to […] Read more
Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, The Dairy Corner

Feeding yeast is a good investment

These single-cell organisms can hit on many cylinders to help optimize milk performance

By
For many years, I have formulated dairy diets with yeast for both dry and lactating dairy cows. It has been my professional intention to promote good dairy nutrition, or solve a particular problem that limits good dairy performance. On occasion, I have seen direct benefits within a couple of days by adding yeast, while other […] Read more
Bulls should be in god athletic condition, but not fat.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Be leery about buying fat bulls

It may look good in the sale ring, but too much fat can lead to permanent damage

By
Most of the bulls that go through a sale ring are over-conditioned to some extent. Fat is beautiful because it covers up a lot of conformational faults, but it is also very detrimental for reproduction, good health, and future soundness. Many young bulls have gone through a bull test/feeding program to measure rate of gain […] Read more
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Markets

Feeder cattle basis analysis

Finishing at least some of your own calves is a diversification measure

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In my previous article, I provided a brief overview of last year’s series of articles on price risk management for feeder cattle. In this column I will continue the discussion and also answer some of the main questions producers had last year. Cow-calf producers are becoming more familiar with the basis level for their local […] Read more
Gregory, Heather and young Thomas Eppich are in the farming (and horse) business together.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

We are the Eppichs

Young farm couple starting from scratch in the cattle and horse business

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Hello! We are Gregory and Heather Eppich. I, Heather, grew up on the family ranch in Salmon, Idaho and Gregory grew up on the family farm in Handel, Saskatchewan. We got married July 23, 2016 and I moved to Handel. We have a small organic farm, a few cows and horses and a Border collie/Lab […] Read more
The two middle red triangles in the above diagram are acceptable for livestock/manure compost sites. The top triangle is outside the property line (not acceptable), while the lower triangle is a site that is too close to the farm homestead.
Cattleman’s Corner

Composting is a simple natural process

Experts provide advice on proper procedures and precautions

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As the new year starts to unfold we usually take a few minutes to look over our successes and failures of the previous year. Our family attempts to learn from mistakes in order to move forward productively. Our attempts at composting had their challenges but with the help of professionals, the problems are resolving. There […] Read more
Build your own bale-spear loader head
Cattleman’s Corner, Equipment, Livestock

Build your own bale-spear loader head

Working in the shop even with repurposed materials can result in a long-lasting bale mover


By
Much like the transitions other ranchers and farmers have experienced over the past 50-plus years, our evolution with hay handling here in rural Idaho has been a transition from loose hay, to small square bales, and now large round and square bales. Each transition was made with an attempt to increase efficiency and reduce waste […] Read more

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