While the realities of mud are part of the winter management season on the farm, there are several strategies that can help lessen its impact on the beef cattle herd.

Proper nutrition prior to calving can greatly impact the developing fetus and colostrum quality.

Reducing hay storage loss and feeding waste are always beneficial, but given limited forage supplies and the price of hay, this year they are even more critical.

While many will say they love what they do, as they should, it’s vital to the overall well-being of individuals, families, employees and the industry as a whole that ranchers and farmers take well-earned breaks, regardless of what season that happens in.

Forages such as johnsongrass, sorghum, sudangrass and sorghum-sudangrass hybrids can contain toxic concentrations of hydrocyanic acid (HCN) after a frost event or during periods of drought.

Finding your way in the cattle business would be easier if you could simply turn on navigation and follow the arrow. This isn’t the case. Mapping out your farm and ranch plan is an extensive task.

At the ranch level, once the calves are gone, an additional focus producers need to keep in mind will be the decision to cull a cow or help her recover nutritionally and remain in the herd.

The most appropriate feed cube option will vary depending on forage or hay quality, nutrient needs and body condition of the cows, and cost of the cubes.

A tight hay supply continues to elevate hay prices, especially when compared to softening grain prices. Thus, many cattle producers are looking at alternative feedstuffs instead of purchasing hay.

Beef bulls must be developed properly after weaning to become productive herd sires.