Short feed supplies

by Melissa Springer

Because of the Manitoba climate this year, feed shortages for beef producers are imminent throughout the province. I have prepared a brief list of tips to help you stretch your feed resources:

• Cull, cull, cull. Healthy, fleshy, age verified cull cows are still capturing a higher price at auction marts. This is your chance to improve your herd genetics. If she’s open or you’ve never really cared for her looks or attitude, get rid of her! Do you really want to keep around cows that don’t contribute to a robust calf crop?

• Do not borrow money to purchase feed at an obscene price to maintain your traditional herd size.

• Borrowing your way through a feed shortage to maintain traditional herd size may inhibit long-term profitability.

• Wean your calves early and return your cows to pasture. This can cut your cows’ nutrient requirements by a third to a half depending on their milk production. Calves have a fully functioning rumen at 120 days of age. They are just being babysat by the cows after that point in time.

• Evaluate your forage inventory for the winter. You should have three different qualities of hay: Calf quality, heifer quality and cow quality. Save your best hay for weaned calves, the next best should go to first and second calf heifers and the lowest quality should be fed to mature, healthy cows.

• Call a nutritionist and have them formulate rations with the feed you have on hand. They will make sure you are meeting your herd’s nutrient requirements. If you shop around and let us know your options, we are happy to formulate least cost rations for you.

• Feed test! Feed testing ensures you are meeting nutrient requirements and not wasting by overfeeding.

For more detailed information on winter rations to extend your forage supply for your herd, call your local MAFRI GO office.