RANCHING Business
options. Most of the time it is very helpful — and fi - nancially benefi cial — to tap into someone’s special- ized expertise, which allows you to continue to do what you do best.” For many producers, their strongest skills come
into play when the recommendation is actually put into action. “A nutritional recommendation offers a good start-
ing place,” Alkire says. “A nutritional recommendation is based on facts and science, but it must be applied in a variable world. The variables are what make the art of stockmanship necessary. It is imperative that ranchers apply the recommendation, but evaluate the results and make adjustments based on experience.” It is important to note the condition of the cattle at
the start of a feeding program so there is a baseline for evaluation. When it comes to nutrition, it takes about 30 days to see a change in body condition, he says. If the changes occur faster than that — particularly if cattle are losing weight — a rancher would be wise to make a big adjustment sooner rather than later. When ranchers consider their nutrition programs, it
can be tempting to make a major change in their pro- duction schedule, such as moving their spring calving
CHECK OUT THESE LONG LIFE FEEDING PRODUCTS FROM API Mineral Feeders
API Ag Products are:
Designed by ranchers, for ranchers
Built to take what livestock dish out
Lick Feeders Stall Feeders
season forward a month to save the cost of a month’s worth of feed. “This appears to be a straightforward way to save
money, but it has direct implications for a ranch’s marketing program and the number of pounds of beef available to market at a given time,” Alkire says. “It is imperative to put a pencil to a decision like this.” Consider the following simplifi ed example:
Option A: A calving season of Feb. 15 – May 15 with an average calving date of April 1. Forage can be grazed by May 15. Calves are weaned Oct. 15 at 198 days, weighing 500 pounds. Calves are preconditioned for 60 days at 2 pounds average daily gain (ADG) and weigh 620 pounds when sold Dec. 1. Beef basis predicts a cash price of $208.75 on Dec. 15, for a value of $1,294. Option B: A calving season of Mar. 15 – June 15 with an average calving date of May 1. Calves are weaned
When it comes to
nutrition, it takes about 30 days to see a change in body condition.
Plastic products with UV inhibitors
Factory:
www.petrofl
exna.com API AG PRODUCTS
Sales Offi ce: 979-263-5952 Cell: 979-541-3310
110 The Cattleman October 2015
Launch the App Store or Google Play. Search for The Cattleman Plus or The Cattleman NOW
. Tap to install.
thecattlemanmagazine.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148