Last year’s fermentation clues can make this year’s silage more predictable and more productive.

We’ve made it through a tough winter, and calving season is winding down. If you’re like me, you’ve been looking forward to spring. It’s almost time to turn cows out on lush, green pastures as we start pondering the mating decisions for the breeding season. But as you know, our herd is entering the most critical nutritional point of the production cycle.

Over the past several decades, beef cows have quietly gotten bigger. In 1975, the average beef cow weighed just over 1,000 pounds; by 2009, that number had jumped to 1,350 pounds, and today, many herds include cows tipping the scales at 1,400 pounds or more.

Many feedbunk management factors should be regularly evaluated by farm managers and consultants. The goal is to provide adequate amounts of a uniform ration that all cows can access whenever they access the feedbunk.

It is easy to focus on your cows and calves this time of year. As your bulls provide 50% of the genetics in your calf crop, it is also important to evaluate your herd’s performance from the bull’s point of view.

It’s typical for newly weaned or sale barn-acquired calves to experience multiple stressors simultaneously when brought onto the farm. This might be the first time those animals are introduced to new feeds. In addition to the new diet, there is a new home along with new penmates and a social hierarchy. These changes then can compound on top of the stress of removing the calf from their dam.

Cows return to lush, green pastures as we ponder the mating decisions of the upcoming breeding season. The present time is critical for quality nutrition because we are asking for the most from our cows during the annual production cycle.

Swath grazing is an economic management strategy that helps ranchers extend their grazing practices into the spring and winter months. It has been shown that swath grazing can reduce the cost of beef production by over 40%.