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Preparing Your Livestock for Winter Feeding

Friday, December 20th, 2024

Preparing Your Livestock for Winter Feeding: With colder weather on the horizon, many farmers and ranchers are preparing for the winter months. One of the most important things to consider when getting your animals ready for winter is their feed. During this time, hay becomes the most common type of feed for livestock. However, it is essential to ensure that you have enough hay to get your animals through the season. In addition, it is necessary to think about supplementing your hay with other feeds such as grain or grass to keep your animals healthy. We have some essential tips for feeding and nutrition that will help you prepare your livestock for winter.

1) Plan for Adequate Hay Supply

Before winter arrives, farmers and ranchers need to ensure that they have enough hay to meet the demands of their livestock. One of the key challenges in preparing for the winter months is predicting the amount of hay that will be required. To estimate your hay needs, you must consider the number of animals in your herd, their weight, and the duration of the winter months. To increase the amount of hay available, you may want to consider buying hay from other farmers. Purchasing a large quantity of hay can also help cut the cost per bale.

2) Supplement with Other Nutritious Feed

Unfortunately, hay alone may not be enough to provide your animals with the nutrition they need. During winter, your livestock needs an adequate amount of vitamins and minerals. Therefore, it is crucial to supplement their diets with other nutritious feeds. Grain is an excellent source of protein and helps to maintain body heat. However, you must be cautious when feeding grain to avoid overfeeding, which can cause digestive problems. Grass can provide your livestock with essential micronutrients. This means that you should graze your animals throughout the fall season before snow accumulates on the ground.

3) Provide Adequate Water

Water is critical to the health and survival of your livestock, particularly during the winter season. Since animals rely on hay to maintain their body heat, they consume less water, which can lead to dehydration. Therefore, it is essential to provide your animals with fresh, clean water at all times. Water sources should be checked daily to ensure that it is available and unfrozen. You can also consider installing heaters or de-icers for your water sources to keep them from freezing.

4) Monitor Your Livestock

During the winter months, it is essential to keep a close eye on your animals. Checking that they are eating adequately, drinking enough water, and staying warm is crucial. Moreover, monitoring your livestock helps to detect any signs of disease or illness that require vet attention.

5) Prepare Your Barns

As the cold weather sets in, you may want to prepare your barns for your animals’ comfort and safety. Ensure your barns have proper insulation, ventilation, and clean straw or bedding to keep livestock dry and warm. Ensure that all doors and windows are properly secured to keep the cold outside.

Preparing for winter and ensuring that your livestock’s feed and nutritional needs are met may seem overwhelming. However, with the right planning and preparation, farmers and ranchers can help their animals survive the harsh winter months. By Preparing Your Livestock for Winter Feeding, you can increase your animals’ health and well-being throughout the winter season.

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Your Keys to Fall Calving

Wednesday, November 20th, 2024

Your Keys to Fall Calving: Cattle condition and comfort are your keys to fall calving.

Spring calving season may be more common, but if you’re a fall calving operation, you know the warmer, dryer weather conditions and the seasonal high calf prices that tend to hit at weaning can yield greater results.

Yet, fall calving doesn’t come without its challenges. Preparation now means mitigating those challenges – including high temperatures and unpredictable forages – and getting calves started quicker to realize optimal cost-efficient growth.

Follow these steps this summer to gain more value from your herd in the fall:

Set cows up for success

It can be difficult to keep cattle in ideal body condition for the fall calving season. Pastures are transitioning from quality grasses with active growth to more mature grasses going dormant, causing energy and protein quality to decline.

With a target body condition score of six at calving, taking scores 60-90 days before calving begins allows time to change the nutrition plan if needed. Purina® RangeLand® protein supplement tubs and Purina® Accuration® Hi-Fat blocks are good options that provide extra protein and energy; they also support digestion and utilization of low-quality forage.

Remember, heifers and first-calf cows haven’t yet reached maturity during gestation. They are still growing while raising a calf, making their energy requirements higher than mature cows. Separate your herd to provide heifers and first-calf cows with a higher energy diet to be at peak performance during calving.

Fight menacing flies

Fly season may start in spring, but a strong fly control program is just as critical during fall calving season.

Flies can be a significant detriment to cattle health and performance. Horn flies carry Staphylococcus aureus, a major cause of mastitis. They can also cause damage to the udder and teats, lowering milk production.

To limit horn flies, start feeding Purina® Wind and Rain® Fly Control mineral in the spring, 30 days before flies emerge, when the daily temps average 65°F and keep feeding until 30 days after the first frost in the fall.

When it isn’t fly season, provide your herd a balanced mineral year-round using Purina® Wind and Rain® mineral. A quality mineral optimizes cows’ milk production and supports fertility and fetal development – all vital in the winter months when your cows are raising calves and getting rebred for the next season.

Combat soaring temperatures

Higher temperatures during fall calving make water supply a top concern. During the hottest days of the year, cattle typically drink two gallons of water per 100 pounds of body weight. Adequate, clean, accessible water is a must. Allowing for two or more inches of linear space per head has been shown to decrease heat stress in cattle.

As calves start drinking water, it’s essential for water sources to be at an appropriate height. In addition, to have enough water flow. Cows typically drink first, with calves following. If the sides of the waterer are too high or the water doesn’t refill quickly, calves may not have access to water that is needed to prevent dehydration and keep their bodies cool.

Shade or shelter is another vital consideration for hot days. Trees, buildings or portable structures are all adequate sources of protection from the sun’s intense heat. Placing water tanks in shaded areas also ensures cool water for the herd.

Ready for reproduction

You can’t be prepared for all surprises that can occur during the fall calving season. Still, making sure your herd is in peak condition, providing access to necessities, and having essential supplies on hand can help ensure calves hit the ground running.

Visit Kissimmee Valley Feed to learn Your Keys to Fall Calving. Check out our cattle feeds here.

Source: Wes Hornback, Cattle Technical Specialist, Purina Mills

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Cattle Mineral Tips for Fall

Sunday, October 20th, 2024

Fall is approaching, which means it’s time to prepare your herd for the months ahead. Cattle nutrient requirements vary from season to season, so it’s important to evaluate the effectiveness of your feed program. Check out these tips for creating a healthy mineral program and preparing your cattle for fall.

Quick, timely considerations for your Purina cattle mineral program.

Understand your phosphorus levels as grasses dry down. For grass low in phosphorus, consider a high-phosphorus cattle mineral to meet animal needs.
Continue using Purina® Wind and Rain® Storm® Fly Control Mineral with Altosid® (IGR) 30 days after the first frost to prevent flies from overwintering and jump-starting spring populations.
Building base mineral and vitamin stores pre-weaning can help calves stay healthy. Provide Purina® Stress Tubs for calves in the creep feeder cage. If you don’t creep feed, make sure calves have access to a cattle mineral feeder with the rest of the cow herd.
Cows may crave salt more as grasses dry down. It can be helpful to provide additional salt in a granular mineral mix. Provide free-choice salt if using a cattle mineral tub that does not contain salt (i.e. non-complete).

Try Purina® minerals today through the Feed Greatness® Challenge and prepare your cattle for fall.

Source: Kent Tjardes, Ph.D., Field Cattle Consultant

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Supplementing Your Livestock’s Diet

Friday, December 8th, 2023

December marks the beginning of winter, which also means that it’s the perfect time to start thinking about supplementing your livestock’s diet. As temperatures drop, animals can struggle to maintain their weight, and their bodies require more energy to keep warm. This time of year, it’s crucial to make sure your animals are getting enough food and nutrients to stay healthy. That’s why December may be a good time to start supplementing their diets. What types of supplements should you consider and how can you ensure your animals are getting the proper nutrition they need?

The Importance of Winter Supplementation

As the temperature drops, animals require more energy to regulate their body temperature, which means they need more food to maintain their body weight. But during the winter months, it can be challenging for animals to find enough food to meet their daily requirements. That’s why it’s essential to start supplementing their diet with hay or other forage that will provide them with plenty of nutrients. Winter supplementation will not only ensure your animals maintain their weight, but it will also help prevent them from getting sick or developing health issues.

The Types of Supplements to Consider

When it comes to choosing supplements for your livestock, there are plenty of options. However, not all supplements are created equal, and choosing the right one will depend on your animal’s nutritional needs. Some supplements you should consider include protein, minerals, and vitamins. Protein supplements are an excellent option for animals that require more energy to stay warm during the winter months, while mineral supplements help prevent mineral deficiencies. Vitamins are also essential, especially if your animal’s diet is lacking fresh fruit and vegetables.

Ensure Your Animals Are Getting the Proper Nutrition They Need

Supplementing your livestock’s diet is one way to ensure they’re getting the proper nutrition they need, but it’s also important to keep an eye on their water intake. During the winter months, water sources can freeze over, making it challenging for animals to access a clean water supply. If your animal’s water source freezes over, make sure to provide them with an alternative source of water to prevent dehydration. Also, it’s crucial to monitor their weight and overall health to make sure your supplementing program is working.

Other Factors to Consider in Winter Livestock Care

Although supplementing your livestock’s diet is essential during the winter months, it’s not the only factor to consider in winter livestock care. Other things you should consider include their shelter, bedding, and exposure to cold temperatures. Providing adequate shelter and bedding will help keep your animals warm and prevent them from getting sick. You should also limit their exposure to cold temperatures by making sure they have access to a warm, dry place to rest.

December is an excellent time to start thinking about supplementing your livestock’s diet. By supplementing their diet with hay or other forage and providing them with the proper supplements, you can ensure they’re getting the nutrition they need to stay healthy. Remember to keep an eye on their water intake, monitor their weight and health, and provide them with adequate shelter and bedding to keep them warm. By taking these steps, you’ll help your livestock thrive during the winter months.

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The Benefits of Fall Forage for Your Livestock

Friday, September 8th, 2023

The Benefits of Fall Forage for Your Livestock: Fall is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to start thinking about fall forage for your livestock. As the temperature cools and the days get shorter, it’s important to ensure that your animals are getting the right nutrients to maintain their body condition going into the winter months. Let’s go over some of the benefits of fall forage! Check out all things related to animal health available at Kissimmee Valley Feed here.

Nutritional Benefits

Fall forage is an excellent source of nutrition for your livestock. It’s packed with nutrients that can help them maintain their body condition and keep them healthy throughout the winter. For example, clover is a great source of protein and energy, while alfalfa is high in calcium and phosphorus. Rye grass, on the other hand, is an excellent source of fiber and can help keep your animals’ digestive system healthy.

Cost-Effective

Fall forage can be a cost-effective way to feed your animals. Growing your own forage can be cheaper than purchasing feed from a store, and it can also help you save on labor costs. Furthermore, depending on where you live, fall forage can often be grown as a double crop, meaning you can get more than one harvest per year from the same field.

Environmentally Friendly

Growing your own fall forage is also environmentally friendly. By growing your own forage, you can reduce your carbon footprint by eliminating the need for transportation of feed. Additionally, fall forage can help improve soil health and prevent soil erosion, which can help to preserve the environment for future generations.

Improves Livestock Health

Fall forage can also help to improve your animals’ overall health. A diet rich in fall forage can help to boost their immune system, making them more resistant to diseases and infections. Additionally, fall forage can help to promote healthy weight gain and improve milk production in dairy cows.

Versatile

Finally, fall forage is incredibly versatile. Depending on your animals’ nutritional needs, you can choose to grow a variety of different forages. This means you can customize your feeding program to meet the specific needs of your animals, ensuring that they stay healthy and happy throughout the fall and winter months.

Fall forage is an essential part of any livestock feeding program. It’s not only nutritionally beneficial but also cost-effective and environmentally friendly. So, as the autumn season approaches, be sure to start thinking about fall forage for your livestock. Your animals (and your wallet) will thank you for it!

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