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ROTATIONAL The Midwest Cattleman · February 25, 2021 · P34
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“most palatable” components tends to maintain nutrient lev- soil surface from exposure are selection results in the high-
available from the winter pas- els instead of a continuous de- critical. Late winter or early est quality diet when access to
ture. Allocating an entire pas- cline which would occur without spring rains can be damaging “fresh” pasture is first provided,
ture allows livestock to select rotation. rather than beneficial if the soil protein and therefore dietary
a relatively high-quality diet Balancing Plant and Animal surface is left unprotected be- nitrogen concentrations will be
initially, but the opportunity to Needs cause of excessive winter defo- highest initially when a new
select a nutritious diet declines Decisions about winter graz- liation. strip is offered. Dietary quality
because, in the winter, there is ing should consider at least two Rotation to Maintain may decline as the duration of
no replacement of new and nu- aspects, the nutritional needs of Dietary Protein occupation advances; however
tritious plant tissue as occurs the livestock and stewardship A capacity of ruminant live- rumen nitrogen concentrations
during the growing season. of resources. Nutrient content of stock that can be exploited in are likely to remain adequate.
Winter Rotation dormant forage is generally ad- winter grazing is their ability to Providing a new strip every
The alternative to providing equate, especially for the needs recycle nitrogen. Dietary protein third day is probably sufficient
the pasture “all at once,” is to of a mature, dry cow. If the ra- is essential for livestock, pri- to provide adequate nutrition
ration access gradually. More tionale for winter grazing is to marily to supply nitrogen. Op- for dry, pregnant mature beef
intensive winter grazing man- limit costs, then expenditures timal nitrogen concentrations cows.
agement, such as strip graz- for supplemental feed should in the rumen are necessary to Winter grazing requires pru-
ing, buffers the consumption of be minimized. Protein is likely maintain fiber digestion. Facil- dent planning. Provisions must
the most nutritious plants and to be the first limiting nutrient itating fiber digestion is critical be made for adequate water
plant parts, so that a more nu- in dormant pasture. Needs for to maintaining livestock per- accessibility, protection from
tritious diet is available later supplementation will increase formance on winter pasture be- severe conditions and contin-
into the winter. Decline in nu- as nutrient demands increase, cause of the typically high fiber gency for feed provision during
tritional value is limited once particularly for a pregnant fe- content of the diet. Research blizzards or heavy snow cover.
vegetation is stockpiled and male. which has demonstrated ade- Nonetheless, grazing dormant
“cured” at the end of the grow- Testing the nutrient con- quate performance of beef cows pastures can provide attractive
ing season. An opportunity for tent of the vegetation selected when they receive supplemen- alternatives to reduce winter
livestock to select a “better than by animals provides the best tal protein every third day or feed costs.
average” diet can be preserved guidelines for determining sup- even once a week demonstrates
by using a rationing strategy. plementation needs. Another this capacity to recycle nitrogen
The greater the opportunity approach is to use the NUTBAL and maintain adequate rumen
livestock are given to select, the procedure while cattle are graz- concentrations. Grazing man-
more nutritious a diet they can ing. Fecal samples are collected agers can take advantage of the
obtain. Managers control this from the pasture and submitted same phenomena. Since animal
through the total quantity of through NRCS. Sample anal-
pasture which is accessible. In ysis, along with descriptions
addition to extending the nutri- of the vegetation and the class T h e d i M w e l t t a C t s e m e S n a e t p m b 3 r e , 0 2 0 1 0 1 6
BSE Clinic Time
tional value of winter pasture, and condition of cattle, provide
a rotational plan such as strip guidance about the energy and
grazing can improve the utili- protein adequacy of the diet
By Eldon Cole, University of Missouri Extension
zation of the pasture through being consumed.
reductions in trampling and We’ve scheduled four clinics of cows keep coming back in progeny differences (EPDs) and
Has your bull had a breeding Protecting the Resource
fouling. A rotation plan can The “take half” rule of thumb breeding programs or whatever
soundness exam (BSE)since where you can get your bulls heat. There are no other out-
be beneficial during the win- completely examined, given ward signs of trich in the bull is on your mind. Ed Trotter with
you pulled him from the breed- is appropriate for winter graz-
ter, just as it can be during the parasite control treatment and or cow for that matter. Pfizer will be at some of the clin-
ing pasture this summer? Fer- ing as much as during the grow-
tility and breeding ability can vaccinated and be ready to turn
growing season. While there ing season. Warm-season grass- ics with information on their
is no benefit from accumulat- out if everything checks out Here are the dates and loca- DNA evaluation program.
fluctuate in bulls from year-to- es, in particular, are susceptible
ed growth during a deferment, to close grazing because sub- Call the above veterinary of-
year and season-to-season. If okay. In addition, if you’d like, tions of our fall clinics.
you’ve preg checked your cows they can check your bull for the
moving to a fresh pasture, even stantial carbohydrate storage fices for your appointment time.
and found several open, it just sexually transmitted disease,
once or twice during the winter, is located in above ground stem October 11 - Barry County Vet Of course, there’s a limit to the
distributes grazing pressure bases. Leaving sufficient cover number of bulls the clinics can
might be cause to check him trichomoniasis. Trich is on the Services, Cassville
better across more plants and to capture snow and protect the Contact: Dr. Voyd Brown, 847- accept so you may need to pick a
rise in this part of the world. It’s
out.
suspected when a large number 2677 different time and/or a different
veterinarian. It’s just important
October 12 - Kent Veterinary to have your bulls checked out.
Buffalo Livestock Market Clinic, Billings A survey of cow-calf farms in
Contact Dr. Harvey Kent, 744- 24 states in 2008 showed that
2222 about 25% do a semen evalua-
Special Cattle Sale Special Sheep
tion on their bulls before turn-
Vaccinated Every Stock Cow & October 13 - Dake Veterinary out. I doubt if we’re that high
Watch our Goat Sale
Cattle Saturday sale live on the & Bull Sale Clinic, Miller in southwest Missouri. The
Internet at
Sale 12:00 Noon www.CattleUSA.com Contact: Dr. Chuck Dake, 452- October BSE clinics in the past
3rd Tuesday 4th Tuesday 3301 few years have found more prob-
2nd Sat. of Selling all classes www.gamagrass.com
Each Month of cattle lems with bulls than the clinics
October 14 - Countryside Ani- in March. Hot weather could
Lyle Caselman - Owner-Manager: 417-345-7876 • Mobile: 417-533-2944 mal Clinic, Aurora be more of a problem than cold
Leon Caselman - Owner: 417-345-4514 • Mobile: 417-588-6185 Contact: Dr. Mike Bloss, 678- when it comes to bull fertility. It
Howard Miller - Owner -Manager: 417-345-8612
4011 could even be from fescue toxins
Call Lyle or Leon to find out what we can do for you: consumed or a combination of
Danny Cross 417-576-5461 • John Sanwald 417-588-9113 • Bobby Cole 573-674-3131 Besides the BSE, I will be at factors.
the clinics to answer questions,
Barn 417-345-8122 discuss bull sales, expected

Green Springs

Performance & Efficiency Tested

BULL SALE 90 BULLS

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at Mo-Kan Livestock, Butler, MO 8 Breeds

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• ANGUS • GELBVIEH • LIMOUSIN •
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www.greenspringsbulltest.com • gsbulltest@gmail.com