Feed & Nutrition

Southeast: Ensiling may reduce nitrate levels in summer forage

kmason21@utk.edu — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Recent research is helping us better understand the relationship between weather conditions, fertilizer rates and forage management.

Managing mineral status during critical production events

juliana.ranches@oregonstate.edu — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Although the importance of a well-developed mineral supplementation program is now well understood, the greatest challenge remains in ensuring that cattle consume it consistently, rather than in formulating the supplement itself.

Alternative feed intake management strategies

erin.dehaan@sdstate.edu — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Cattle performance in the feedlot is strongly influenced by management practices prior to feedlot arrival. Management practices can refer to a number of proactive steps producers can take to improve performance.

Managing diet transition in early-weaned calves

brandon.koch@kentww.com — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The success of early weaning hinges on one critical factor: how well calves transition onto a new diet.

Is your water source canceling out your trace mineral program?

cashworth@zinpro.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Most cattle producers first think about feed, forage and mineral supplementation when evaluating herd performance or troubleshooting challenges. Water quality often doesn’t even make the list.

From milk to grain: Rumen development in beef cattle

mcorrigan@axiota.com — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The rumen is a complex and dynamic organ that converts fibrous forages, starch-rich cereal grains and other feed ingredients, including ethanol byproducts, into high-quality microbial protein and energy-dense volatile fatty acids that support maintenance and growth of the animal.

North: Finding synergy between farming and livestock

wmeteer@gmail.com — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Taking advantage of the mutual benefits that cattle and crop production have can lead to more profits and a sustainable farming operation.

Trace minerals’ impact on cow performance and longevity

jerpow@uark.edu — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

It is evident with advances in beef production that for cattle to perform at their greatest potential, it is important that their nutritional demands are met. Optimizing cattle performance depends on meeting the nutritional demands for energy, protein, vitamins and minerals. Minerals are generally divided into two different classes: macrominerals and microminerals, also referred to as trace minerals.

Reading manure: An indicator of nutrition and rumen health

sblez@verizon.net — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Every cattle producer knows that one key “byproduct” from a cattle operation is manure. But are you aware that the appearance of manure in the pasture can provide a great deal of information about the animals, the quality of pastures and forages, as well as overall nutrition and health?

Water and feed: Managing the basis for life

grec@novonesis.com — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Effective water and feed management are the cornerstones of a profitable and healthy beef cattle operation. When properly executed, these two elements work in tandem maximizing performance, reducing health issues and improving overall efficiency.

Matching the cow to the grass

taylor.garcia@westwayfeed.com — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

From lush spring growth to dormant winter range, the nutrient value of what a cow grazes can swing dramatically. Yet, the cow’s requirements don’t swing nearly as wildly. That mismatch is where performance is either captured … or lost.

Let’s spice it up with essential oils

abe.scheaffer@sweetpro.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Livestock producers need an integrated pest management plan to control the loss of production due to filth flies while cattle graze summer pastures. This may include the movement of livestock, mechanical disruption of grazing areas, mechanical removal of flies and the use of natural and chemical insecticides or repellents.

How daily decisions shape long-term herd performance

aclements@landolakes.com — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

For many cattle nutritionists, the line between professional decisions and personal ones does not exist. The same choices made for customers are the ones made at home, often with similar risks and rewards on the line.

A closer look: Reading the mineral tag

bethr@iastate.edu — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

When it comes to feeding mineral, producers have ample opportunity to customize a program that fits their unique needs while also being economical. There is a wide variety of minerals on the market, but reading the labels to compare products can be a bit daunting.

Tannins and worms

woody@woodylane.com — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Something new is afoot underfoot, something we can grow to combat, something we can’t see that is becoming resistant to all the medicines we can drench and inject.

Critical start: The phase that sets the tone for everything that follows

gapr@novonesis.com — Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Starting feedlot cattle correctly is one of the most important parts of the entire feeding program. A feedlot animal is being asked to make a major transition: from pasture, backgrounding or a previous management system into a high-energy, tightly managed environment where rapid weight gain is the goal.

Liquid vs. dry supplements: What are the differences?

sblez@verizon.net — Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Anyone who is at least somewhat familiar with the cattle industry knows there is a long list of products and product types that can be used for providing supplemental nutrients to cattle.

Precise nutrition for early-weaned calves

brandon.koch@kentww.com — Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

As environmental pressures and market dynamics shift, producers are taking a closer look at how early weaning, paired with precise nutrition and management practices, can unlock both short-term flexibility and long-term gains.

Fly control through nutrition: A comprehensive approach

ccassady@biozymeinc.com — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Fly control is a constant battle for cattle producers. As temperatures rise and cattle move into summer grazing systems, flies become more than just a nuisance and can negatively impact cattle comfort, grazing behavior and overall productivity.

Unlocking more value from forage: How enzymes can improve performance

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Forage is the foundation of most beef cattle diets. Whether cattle are grazing pasture, eating hay or being fed silage, these feeds provide the bulk of nutrients for cow-calf, stocker and backgrounding operations.

Feeding calves

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

When it comes to growing calves, the crude protein system doesn’t work well for cattle feeders. That’s the message Dr. Mary Drewnoski, University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL) professor and beef systems extension specialist, hopes beef producers understand.

Spring turnout and considerations for breeding season

ccassady@biozymeinc.com — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

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.

A modern approach to an old problem

louderdvm@gmail.com — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 01:00:00 -0400

Over the coming weeks and months, ranches across the United States will gather their herds for the annual springtime tradition of branding. In addition to marking ownership of the year’s calf crop, cowboys will administer vaccines to young calves in an effort to curb a disease that is just as consistent as the spring ritual: pneumonia or bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

Southeast: The critical window

kmason21@utk.edu — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 18:09:17 -0500

Good nutrition means greater reproductive success, and reproductive success drives profitability in the cow-calf sector.

Nailing down the right source and amount of salt

sam.wyffels@montana.edu — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500

In recent years, a growing number of ranchers across the West have begun asking a similar question: Why, when salt is offered in multiple forms, do cattle suddenly stop consuming their mineral supplement?

Double trouble

woody@woodylane.com — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Salt is necessary for our livestock’s health – and they love the stuff. But it’s easy to go too far. Look out for these common pitfalls when developing your herd’s nutrition plan.

[Podcast] NCBA CattleCon 2026

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Join us live from Nashville, Tennessee, as we visit with Greg Eckerle about feedlot nutrition; talk with Andrew Coppin about ranch water technology; and learn more during a beef industry outlook with Marshall Hansen.

Spring isn’t a reset button

linder.129@osu.edu — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

It is finally that time of year when many producers can breathe a sigh of relief knowing winter is almost behind them. As green grass begins to emerge, it is tempting to assume that winter challenges are over and that cattle will quickly rebound once they are turned out to pasture.

Give your calves a sure start to a productive life

ccassady@biozymeinc.com — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Few seasons on the ranch inspire more optimism than calving time. With calf prices at historic highs, every live and healthy calf represents not just an animal, but a major financial asset.

West: Optimizing late-gestation nutrition for a successful calving season

cwillmore@uidaho.edu — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Cow nutrition remains one of the most important management concerns for producers heading into calving.