A well-balanced mineral and vitamin program is the foundation for healthy, productive and profitable cattle. However, when specific challenges arise, the strategic use of mineral additives can provide targeted solutions.

Residual mycotoxin load isn’t limited to drought years or visible mold – it’s a systemic risk that persists across geographies and seasons.

We’ve made it through another breeding season, and the constant hot temperatures are in full swing. The “dog days of summer” not only take a toll on your mood, but also become a consistent stressor to the cow herd.

Working alongside external mitigation, nutrition interventions can help to reduce the impact of heat stress. Together, they help keep internal processes balanced and alleviate some of the stress from higher heat and humidity.

When it comes to feeding the world, cattle have a starring role. At the same time, they play a part in the emission of methane, one of the three major greenhouse gases. Neither fact can be ignored.

Recent research suggests that beef-on-dairy steers fed a low-starch total mixed ration at a younger age will continue to increase in feed intake and growth longer than those receiving different diets. 

Mineral mixes and supplements can be formulated with several trace mineral sources, each with advantages and disadvantages. There are some commonly held perceptions around trace minerals and their “benefits” that need attention in order to optimize performance, health and feed costs.

It is hard to have blanket recommendations for producers across the U.S., as environments and production practices vary so much between regions and even producers within regions. Nonetheless, there are some basic principles and practices that will give your calves the best chance at navigating the weaning process.

Ranchers are constantly striving to maximize the productivity of their native rangeland, as raising and selling heavy and healthy calves is key to profitability. Helping producers enhance calf weight gain while maintaining the optimum body condition of the cow herd is critical to keeping operations profitable.