in today ’ s markets , efficient reproduction is a necessity
By Michael Grahmann
How have things changed over the past year in the cattle business ? In December 2014 ’ s issue of Connection , I wrote , “ The summer and fall markets in 2014 are setting up to be strong again , and next year ’ s markets project to show the strength that we have enjoyed for the previous two falls . For another year , the cow / calf operation is in great position to realize high returns on investments that are made in the cow herd .” The statement was very true through the fall of 2015 , but boy , have things changed in 2016 !
As we crawl toward the start of winter , feeder calf and live cattle prices have approached levels that we have not seen in several years . The outlook for 2017 does not appear to show that the story will be any different , at least through the first half of the year . So , what are we to do ? We do what we in American agriculture do better than anyone else — streamline our efficiencies and utilize our resources in the most opportune and prudent ways .
In the cattle business , measurements like weaning and yearling weights , quality , yield grades , dressing percent , and average daily gain and feed efficiency have dominated discussions as ways to improve our income picture for our calf crops . However , when markets depress and times get tough , reproduction becomes the most important factor on which cow / calf producers can focus their efforts . When feeder calves are grossing $ 1200 to $ 1500 / head , we pursue maximal reproduction , but a hiccup now and then does not impact us financially because of the profit margin of the calves . However , in the current market , to be successful a high reproductive rate in the cow herd is a must . Thus , the question , “ Is your cow herd ready ?”
Taking care of the factory ( the cow ) this winter and into next spring is of utmost importance to ensure that a ranch can achieve the highest reproductive rate possible . Going into winter , our pastures are flush with forages and hay is plentiful , which puts producers in a great situation to ensure the cow herd will be ready for breeding . But is the forage enough ? At breeding time , the cow herd needs to be in a body condition score of 5.5 to 6.5 to achieve optimal reproductive performance . With our warm season forages , maintaining that BCS while lactating can be a challenge during winter , so proper supplementation of those forages is extremely important . Because of the markets , supplementing that forage base this year is more important than ever to achieving the goal of maximum conception rate in the cow herd . At our current market levels , conception rates in the 70 percent to 80 percent are not good enough . As a rancher , to ensure sustainability , a goal of 85 percent or greater calf crops is almost a necessity !
With the forage available , what is the best way to ensure that the cattle are supplemented both correctly and economically ? The tried and true program of Wind & Rain Minerals and Accuration Range Liquids has proven to adequately and economically fill the nutritional gap between what the forage provides and the nutritional needs of the lactating cow . Purina Wind & Rain Minerals are formulated to supply all the necessary macro and micro minerals that a cow may need in this region of the country . These products are designed with ingredients that are readily available to the cow and in the right ratios . Ranchers have the opportunity to present these minerals to the cow herd in either a dry , loose form or in the form of a molasses based tub . The dry form of the mineral requires cows to eat 2 to 4 ounces of mineral a day to fulfill their mineral needs ( i . e . one bag per cow per year ). If gaining consumption of minerals is a challenge on your property , the Wind & Rain Mineral tubs are the solution . These products are extremely palatable and the targeted consumption of 6 to 8 ounces / head / day is extremely consistent . Ensuring that the mineral needs of the cow herd are met is like making sure you build a house on a solid , strong foundation . Without that great foundation , the structure of the house will not be as strong or as long lasting . Mineral nutrition is the foundation to ensure that cattle can efficiently utilize the protein and energy that are supplied by the forages and supplementation program .
We stated earlier that maintaining body condition on our warm season forages and hay during lactation can be a challenge , so our remedy is to supplement the nutrition in the forage with a well-designed protein and energy supplement to fill the nutritional gaps . Purina ’ s Accuration Range Liquid products offer ranchers the opportunity to
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