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Tag Archives cattle nutrition

Research shows cows kept in proper condition in fall and early winter will have a much better chance of raising high producing calves the following year.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Cow nutrition now has huge impact on 2023 calves

Keeping animals properly fed this fall will lead to high-performing calves next year

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Many beef producers I’ve talked to over the years have improved cow nutrition after their cows are confirmed pregnant, but there still are the diehards that don’t believe they need much nutrition. That’s too bad, because sound research has proven that poor nutrition during the early/mid-gestation months can sharply reduce newborn calf survival and long-term […] Read more
In the most severe cases the hair coat of cattle may change colour, but most copper deficiencies in cattle are subtle in nature, which makes it difficult to spot.
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Several symptoms relate to copper deficiency

Poor pregnancy rates and lots of foot rot are common indicators of insufficient amounts

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As a beef nutritionist, I have formulated hundreds of cattle minerals. Some are very simple and basic formulas while others are customized to take care of a specific cattle need. Still a few others may contain non-mineral feed additives. Regardless of their final mineral choice, beef producers often request that it be fortified with a […] Read more
Dave and Lynne Longshore of Bar-E-L Angus have worked with Bullseye services for years to make sure their cattle have proper nutrition at all stages of the production cycle leading to healthy, fertile bulls, and cows that produce vigorous and robust calves.
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner

Nutrition key to optimizing purebred performance

It’s all about fertile females and bulls with breeding soundness

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Dave Longshore doesn’t take any shortcuts when it comes to proper nutrition for his purebred Black Angus operation in central Alberta. It’s important to produce healthy, sound and fertile bulls that will be offered as breeding stock, and if cows and heifers aren’t fed a well-balanced ration with proper mineral supplements, that will also mean […] Read more
A reddish tinge on the hide of a black Angus animal could mean a couple things. It could indicate a mineral deficiency or could be just too much sun.
Beef Cattle, Livestock

Don’t buy into myths about mineral/vitamin requirements

Fall and early winter are not the time to cut back on supplements

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Autumn is a good time for producers to determine the best type of cattle mineral and how they will provide it to their early-gestation beef cows. In doing so, they should avoid five common myths when they consider outside advice. Producers can effectively meet important mineral and vitamin requirements of their cow herd now and […] Read more
A magnesium deficiency can lead to health problems when cattle move into lush new grass growth.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Get magnesium levels up before cattle turnout

Mineral deficiency can lead to sudden and fatal grass tetany

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It wasn’t unusual that many producers fed a lot of straw and screenings to their beef cows this winter. That’s because their last year’s hay or grain crop was so poor. Some told me that spring couldn’t come soon enough when green grass starts to sprout on pasture. As a beef nutritionist, I warned them: […] Read more
Late fall pasture may fill cows up but are they getting enough protein?
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Pregnant cows need their protein

Molasses lick-tubs can help maintain cow condition and keep fetuses growing

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I was recently driving west through the southern Prairies and saw a beef cow herd grazing late-autumn straw-coloured pasture. I suspected the calves were probably just weaned, which simply puts these dams at their lowest dietary requirements. I believe that these particular cows were getting plenty to eat, but they were probably not getting enough […] Read more
Regardless of growing condition, all grasses begin to decline in quality this time of year. A proper vitamin and mineral program helps to meet nutrient requirements.
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Fall is no time to slack off on a livestock mineral program

Plenty of hidden benefits for overall herd health and reproduction

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Since April, I’ve had the privilege to criss-cross the Prairies to witness the opposite effects of drought and continuous rainstorms upon hundreds of square miles of pasture. In some areas, the pastures were brown, short and by themselves didn’t produce enough feed to support cattle, while other regions were green, lush and had lots of […] Read more
This old textbook photo of a Venezuelan cow chewing a bone is an example of what cattle should not be doing to meet vitamin and mineral requirements.
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Don’t force cattle to eat bones for phosphorus

It’s an important nutrient for overall animal health and reproduction

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A long time ago in university, I came across a faded photograph in our animal science book (Animal Nutrition, Maynard et al, 1979) that showed a poor Venezuelan cow chewing on a bone. Its caption read that she suffered from phosphorus deficiency. I thought at the time that this poor animal was so skinny and […] Read more
Once she calves, this cow's dietary needs will change.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Old school nutrition works after calving

It doesn't have to cost a lot to maintain proper body condition

By
Already, I know a few producers have had a couple of sleepless nights checking cows at calving. Most have told me all has gone well, because their cows came through the winter in good shape and were well-prepared for this year’s calving season. Moving forward, they now feed their calved-out beef cows diets which contain […] Read more
Wet fall conditions can lead to 
mouldy corn cobs and residue in
the field which can be harmful 
to grazing cattle.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Poor corn residue may need supplement

The wet fall can reduce feed quality of corn residue, create mould

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In the last few years, many beef producers have taken advantage of corn residue as part of their cow herd’s overwintering feeding program. It’s a low-cost feed and for the most part, because early-gestating cows are allowed months of grazing without much trouble. Unfortunately, this wet fall has presented many challenges in feeding lower-quality corn […] Read more

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