Better Grazing Management

The fundamental role of a cow/calf system is to turn forage (plant matter) into beef (animal protein) through the production of calves. The fundamental resource utilized to produce calves is grazed forage, which is traditionally the lowest cost nutrient source to feed the cow for calf production. Because grazed forage is the most economical nutrient source for calf production it is essential that we manage this renewable resource to provide maximum, long-term nutrient benefit.

Managing the forage resource for maximum, long-term nutrient benefit begins with a grazing plan that best fits the environmental conditions. The plan is developed around a grazing system that best suits the environmental conditions and management expertise. The plan includes stocking rate, grazing intensity, frequency and timing. The most prevalent system is continuous grazing or some variation thereof. However there are other systems that require more intense management and expertise that can yield high levels of productivity.

Regardless of the system the forage resource rarely provides all the nutrients, at sufficient levels, to achieve maximum productivity. Even when our production calendar is aligned with the forage growth patterns we still are short of some key nutrients. Why? Because in today’s economic environment it is required that beef cows produce at very high levels; higher levels than forage alone can sustain. Therefore, strategic, economically sound supplementation is required to maintain productivity and profitability.

Seasonal supplementation is required during times when the forage is not sufficient in quality and/or quantity to meet the maintenance requirement of the cow, else body condition deteriorates and rebreeding performance compromised. Effective supplementation is driven by body condition (body fat). We allow body condition to fluctuate through the production phases to make the most efficient use of high quality forage when it is available.

There is one supplementation regimen that should never be compromised. Forages, regardless of the stage of growth will not meet the macro and/or micro mineral requirements of the cow. Changes in forage quality from season to season and the ever-changing requirements of the cow across production phases makes mineral supplementation an absolute requirement. This can only be adequately accomplished with a seasonally focused mineral program like the Right Now^� Mineral program.

Cargill Animal Nutrition consultants work with you to develop grazing management recommendations and improvements that lead to increased productivity and profitability.

Improving Production

• Nutrient status of your cows
• Forage quality assessments
• Nutrient availability
• Gap analysis
• Production phase alignment