The Beef Cattle Research Centre has a calculator to help with the process of adding up yardage — the overhead for cow-calf operations.
Tag Archives winter grazing
Tracking cow-calf yardage can improve decision-making
The Beef Cattle Research Council has a calculator to help make the process easier
Corn fields emerge as good forage for overwintering beef cows
Better Bunks and Pastures: Cows will need supplements to make sure they get balanced nutrition while grazing corn
Corn fields grown especially for overwintering beef cows are a patchwork across our Prairies. Whole corn plants can provide substantial nutrition to maintain precious body condition of gestating beef cows. Yet, nobody should open the gate to any field and allow cows to stampede into it. That’s because there are still some issues in order […] Read more
Corn-soybean intercrop goes to a taste test
The novel crop combination is getting an even more novel test of its utility
Glacier FarmMedia — Brett McRae is spicing up his corn grazing system this year. He’s got more than one variety growing — a grazing-oriented option and the typical silage corn — but the real experiment is happening beneath the canopy. This year, the corn shared space with forage soybean and hairy vetch. The beans were […] Read more
Ideas for extended fall and winter grazing
Annual crops and protein supplements are among the options
There are many ways to extend the grazing season on most farms and ranches. In years with not enough rain in regions without irrigation, native pastures and hay aftermath don’t produce as much forage as normal, One option to increase forage production is seeding and grazing annual crops, which may include cereals and brassicas. Extending […] Read more
Five tips for grazing corn this winter
Corn grazing is becoming more popular across Canada because producers can grow more biomass on less land. If you are planning on grazing corn this winter, here are five tips to help you make the most of the corn grazing season:
Several options for winter grazing
Better to spend money on topping up nutrition than hauling feed
Winter grazing can work because it addresses one of the largest costs in maintaining a cow herd — yardage. For a simple definition, yardage is everything that is not feed. It includes tractors, fuel, depreciation on equipment, yard lights, fences, corrals and labour among other things. Some recent work in both Alberta and Saskatchewan has […] Read more
Winter grazing begins before Dec. 1
Don't assume winter grazing won’t work ‘here’ — look at the options
I confess, I am a winter grazier. I love grazing cows in the wintertime. I like reducing my labour and cutting my costs. I like free time for spending with kids or writing Grainews articles. Truth be told, I even like riding saddle horses in the cold, as a lot of our terrain is not […] Read more
Grazing corn a good option
Many farmers have found grazing corn to be a good way to maintain cattle health and saving money
Ranchers looking to save costs associated with traditional drylot feeding systems are making the switch to grazing corn to keep beef herds healthy in winter months. There are many different winter grazing systems available to producers, including grazing standing whole plant corn. And, studies show producers won’t be sacrificing herd health for cost savings. Assessing […] Read more
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