There are nearly as many ways to feed hay as there are farms in the U.S. Everyone seems to have their own method. Despite significantly lower fertilizer prices in 2016, hay and baleage bales are still expensive. So, a number of articles have been penned over the years to keep costs low by minimizing hay feeding losses. Yet, that is only part of the story.

During our current severe drought, any technique that saves water excites us more than a dog in a sausage factory. Thus the comments by some claiming substantial water savings by growing forage hydroponically as a livestock feed has attracted substantial interest.

There are few matters pertaining to cattle production that are predictable. For a cow-calf producer, determining the need and best option for a supplemental feeding program is one of them.

Cattle prices are down from the last couple of years, and that will intensify the urge to save money. The cost of hay and feed for winter supplementation is the largest expense cattle producers incur.

Years ago, my kids, out of a sudden case of curiosity, peeked into my old high school yearbooks. To my surprise and their amusement, they began mocking what was long ago a sophisticated look and style.

Colin Woodall is vice president of government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Originally from Big Spring, Texas, he graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural systems management.

Late-summer rains have helped ease some of the drought-stricken pastures in the Southeast. Still, hay and winter feedstuffs are weighing heavy on the minds for many in the drought areas. If you are in a position to sell hay this year, make the selling process easier for everyone involved by submitting correctly gathered samples for analysis.

During the fall, many Western ranchers are weaning and checking for open cows. Cull cows will begin to be sorted from the herd, so it’s time to decide the best way to market this valuable set of cows.

The goal of every receiving protocol in the feedlots is to get cattle up on feed quickly and keep calves healthy to optimize weight gain and feed efficiency during the finishing period. While feedlots have several tools to aid in accomplishing this goal, management on the cow-calf farm is really the driving force behind the success – or lack of success – of a group of steers entering the feedlot.

Spring-calving herds Weaning time is upon most producers in the Southern Great Plains. Make sure you are ready with adequate supplies of vaccines, needles, eartags (if not already tagged), dewormer, etc.