NUTRITION
Pinching feed pennies isn't best management solution
By Dr. Dan Netemeyer, MFA Director of Nutrition

There is an old saying, "Don't overlook the forest for the trees." I always receive numerous requests from farmers on how to reduce costs. This amounts to someone wanting to feed a sole by-product that appears cheap as compared to manufactured feeds or supplements.

Though costs are important and it is an inherited urge to look for a short cut, the entire picture must be viewed. To reduce costs, you need to look at what you're getting for your money and not focus on the initial cash purchase.

For example, soy hulls are an excellent buy and can be used in a total nutritional program. But to feed them corn gluten feed or distillers grain as a sole ingredient is no different from feeding any ingredient (such as corn) as a sole ingredient.

Some would argue with me and say, "Well, corn free-choice may cause acidosis and causes an imbalanced ration." True, but soy hulls fed at more than 1/2 of 1 percent of body weight will pass through undigested. However, when fed at low levels, they are an extremely valuable feed ingredient.

Similarly, corn gluten feed when fed ad libitum can cause polio (PEM), a deadly, almost sudden death syndrome. Distillers grain fed at low levels is an excellent ingredient. When fed at high levels, it causes scouring.

Distillers grain is also expensive compared to other ingredients. If you put these ingredients together with other high-quality ingredients, add lime, salt, trace minerals, sugars, starches, vitamins, buffers, and Bovatec then mix together and add molasses or fat to control the dust or pellet it, now you have a feed.

The only problem is it doesn't appear so cheap anymore.

Big ticket savings
Get all cows into a body score of five or six by Thanksgiving. An easy way to do this is to feed MFA Cattle Charge free choice to the select individuals that are thin. They will gain five to seven pounds per day until they are in adequate shape.

The cows will eat 30 pounds of Cattle Charge per day, but you won't need to feed them long. When the cows are in adequate shape, turn them out with the rest of the herd.

Protein supplement the gestating beef cows from Dec. 1 until calving. Feed 14 pounds of breeder cubes per week. This 14 pounds can be divided into two pounds per day or seven to eight pounds, respectively, fed twice a week.

Feed TrendSetter to cows two weeks prior to calving at five lbs./head/day until 30 days after calving.

Creep calves from 45 days of age for 120 days. Cattle Charge is the best feed for this period.

Late breed all cows that didn't conceive. Many cows will breed in the late spring that wouldn't in early spring. Pregnancy check 60 days later.

Feed heifers TrendSetter at five lbs./head/day the entire gestation period and until 60 days post calving. Early wean the calves from first calf heifers at 90 days and place calves on Cattle Charge free choice.

Don't fool yourself on pasture. If there isn't much there, it is obvious the cow isn't getting much. If there isn't enough pasture, feed hay and wean the calves.

In a recent research study, lactating cows ate 22 pounds of hay, whereas the comparison group with the calves weaned off only ate 16 pounds of hay. The best way to stretch pasture is to wean the calves.

Fescue gets more palatable in late fall and winter. Turning cows into fescue ground that has not been baled or pastured the entire summer is much better forage than the same fescue during the summer.

Protein supplement these cows with two pounds of Cattle 20 Breeder cubes or free choice MFA #1 salt mix that is 30 percent salt and 20 percent protein. It will allow the cows to grub the fescue down to the ground.

Place a mineral out free choice. However, don't look for magic in minerals. Many producers think if their cows are not doing well it is because they have the wrong mineral out. Minerals are supportive therapy for cows getting plenty of energy and protein.

Energy and protein are what makes animals gain, cows milk and fetuses grow. The minerals are the grease for the bearing. Nothing will happen unless adequate protein and energy are available.

Use strategic worming as recommended by your veterinarian. Don't over-worm, and when cows are in poor flesh don't blame it on worms. Even though they may have worms, their poor condition is due to inadequate nutrition.

Don't be misled by the trace mineral fed. Chelated trace minerals are good when you consider the entire picture. They are a small part of it. If you are using MFA feed and minerals, chelated trace minerals of copper, cobalt, zinc and manganese are included. There is no need to feed any more or to use selenium injections or trace mineral supplements.

Try to work cattle to where you can minimize the number of times you are running them through the chute. Spend the extra money and buy Cattle Charge with AS700 for weaning and receiving cattle. There is little money to be saved with sick and/or dead ones.