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Evaluating diet quality selected by grazing beef cattle using photographic guidelines
Both animal productivity and ranch profitability can be affected by the nutritional management of grazing beef cattle.
Forage is the nutritional foundation for beef cows as well as all ruminant species. Producers are paying more attention in recent years to forage quality in an attempt to get more nutrition from perennials throughout the year. Grasses and legumes are the primary forages fed to livestock.
Since the mid-1800s, there have been efforts to characterize the value of forage and predict its effects on animal production. Joe Burns defined this issue with, “The characteristic of a forage that composes its nutritive value (NVAL) and its consumption and conversion by the animal determines the quality of the nutrient entity and provides an estimate of its forage quality.”
When pasture production is limited (drought, temperatures, etc.), there are other opportunities to continue to provide forage for livestock. Some of those opportunities could include hay production, stockpiled forage or baleage.
Cool-season grasses are important forage species for dairy and other livestock producers in all parts of the Midwest. These grasses offer the potential for moderate to high yields as well as high quality.
Ag technology has become a critical component in determining the health, nutrient needs, yield and return on investment potential of corn and soybean crops.
Tractor accidents are the leading cause of farm fatalities, with most occurring in the event of a rollover. Hence, pasture managers should be incredibly cautious when reseeding and interseeding pastures on slopes.
The concept of the rule of thumb appears to have its origins in a variety of locations. Some stories cannot be substantiated or documented, while others seem to make good sense.
“Green grass at last! These first beautiful days of spring; deep blue skies, white puffy clouds, a delicious warmth in the sunshine. And look at that grass! Emerald green, 3 inches high, like those legendary green hills of Ireland.
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