Why Nutrition Right Now Could Make—or Break—Your Cattle Herd

As the calendar turns from winter to spring in cattle country, the focus quickly shifts to maintaining herd health and preparing for a successful breeding season. That means paying close attention to nutrition, body condition, and overall management as operations move through calving and into the next production phase.

Tom Peila with Simplot Western Stockmen’s says this time of year is especially demanding because producers are effectively feeding multiple animals at once.

“We’re really feeding three head of cattle… the cow, the calf on the ground, and the one coming,” Peila explained.

That added demand makes it critical to keep cows in proper body condition and ensure they’re receiving adequate nutrition—especially protein—to stay on track reproductively.

“In order to keep that cow on time, we’ve got to be breeding… especially these young cows—they’re just worth too much money. We can’t have them fall out of the herd,” he said.

Peila notes that many producers are also looking for ways to simplify their feeding programs while dealing with ongoing labor challenges. Products like protein and mineral blocks are becoming increasingly popular because they save time and improve efficiency.

“We look at trying to save labor… we need to do things convenient that save guys labor because there just isn’t enough of it out there,” Paila said.

To learn how Simplot Western Stockmen’s can help your cattle operation, click here.

Source: Ag Information/Western Ag Network