Page 30 - MWC 9-14-2023s

The Midwest Cattleman · September 14, 2023 · P30
Why Consider Drylotting Cows This Fall?

By Connor Biehler, Nebraska Extension Educator
This fall as pastures contin-
ue to recover from drought in
previous years, some produc-
ers who traditionally pasture
their cattle are considering
feeding cow-calf pairs in con-
finement. Drylotting can be
a feasible way to allow pas-
ture recovery, while feeding
grain, forage, and crop stover
to pairs. A few of the many ad-
vantages of a drylot system in-
clude closer observation of the
herd, low weaning stress, and
providing opportunity to bunk
break calves prior to weaning.
While input costs of confined
feeding of pairs is more expen-
sive than in years past due to
increased commodity prices, it
provides the opportunity for
producers to stockpile forage
in the future. With hay prices Knowing the quality of your feedstuffs is an important part of feeding cattle in a drylot. Photo - Karla Wilke
still above $200/ton, limiting
inclusion amounts in diets is is recommended to test your haviors like fence chewing. ducer has, maximizing bunk
economical. However, in order feed as a total mixed ration, If properly managed, con- space per head is highly rec-
to keep a healthy rumen, for- but more importantly testing fined feeding herd health is ommended to allow smaller,
age inclusion should be at forages prior to the feeding pe- comparable to pasture scenar- more timid cattle a spot at the
least 0.5% of the cow’s weight riod. This allows nutritionists/ ios. Cattle should be lotted into bunk.
on a dry matter basis. producers the ability to devel- pens allowing 500-800 square Here are a few other things
When developing rations, op rations that properly meet feet per pair. If pens are too to keep in mind if intending to
consider using cost per unit of the nutrient requirements of large and dry conditions per- dry lot cows:
6
protein and energy to deter- the animal, and not exceed sist, the increased dust from -Feeding whole corn works 1 0 1 0 2 , 0 3 r e b m e t p e S n a m e l t t a C t s e w d i M e h T
BSE Clinic Time To further reduce wasting er chance of pneumonia for daily forage intake is at 0.5%
mine the most cost-effective
the surface promotes a great- better than rolled corn when
them, wasting resources.
feed. If available, corn silage
produces more energy per of feed resources, drylots pro- calves. When planning to dry- of body weight
By Eldon Cole, University of Missouri Extension
acre than any other crop. Si- vide the option to limit feed, lot cows, allow for 28-36 inches -Mineral can be either
lage mixes well with low qual- by reducing intake while still of bunk space per pair. mixed into the feed or fed free
Has your bull had a breeding
We’ve scheduled four clinics of cows keep coming back in progeny differences (EPDs) and
soundness exam (BSE) since
ity forages, and it can help to where you can get your bulls heat. There are no other out- breeding programs or whatever
meeting nutritional require-
It is ideal to separate cows choice.
limit the needed inclusion of completely examined, given ward signs of trich in the bull is on your mind. Ed Trotter with
you pulled him from the breed- ments. Limit feeding should based on nutrient require- -Feeding cattle in a dry lot
ing pasture this summer? Fer- be fed at least 1.75% of body ments. Younger cows and first increases the production life of
Pfizer will be at some of the clin-
parasite control treatment and or cow for that matter.
low-quality hay, which can
tility and breeding ability can vaccinated and be ready to turn ics with information on their
help to prevent ruminal im-
weight, otherwise cows will calf heifers have greater ener- older, broken mouth cows
fluctuate in bulls from year-to- exhibit irritable disposition gy and protein requirements, DNA evaluation program.
Here are the dates and loca-
out if everything checks out
paction. Low level grain inclu-
-A smaller, confined area,
year and season-to-season. If okay. In addition, if you’d like, tions of our fall clinics. Call the above veterinary of-
sion can also decrease cost per
from lack of fill. This can be whereas mature cows in good allows for easier health checks
you’ve preg checked your cows they can check your bull for the fices for your appointment time.
unit of energy.
mitigated further by feeding condition require less energy of cattle
and found several open, it just sexually transmitted disease, October 11 - Barry County Vet Of course, there’s a limit to the
Knowing the quality of your
long stem hay, which promotes relevant to their body weight.
might be cause to check him trichomoniasis. Trich is on the Services, Cassville number of bulls the clinics can
feedstuffs is an important part
rumination, keeping the cattle If feeding everything in one UNL BEEF
out. more content and reducing be- pen is the only option a pro- accept so you may need to pick a
Contact: Dr. Voyd Brown, 847-
rise in this part of the world. It’s
of feeding cattle in a drylot. It
different time and/or a different
suspected when a large number 2677
veterinarian. It’s just important
Buffalo Livestock Market Clinic, Billings A survey of cow-calf farms in
October 12 - Kent Veterinary to have your bulls checked out.
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
Each Month of cattle lems with bulls than the clinics
October 14 - Countryside Ani- in March. Hot weather could
mal Clinic, Aurora be more of a problem than cold
Lyle Caselman - Owner-Manager: 417-345-7876 • Mobile: 417-533-2944 Contact: Dr. Mike Bloss, 678- when it comes to bull fertility. It
Leon Caselman - Owner: 417-345-4514 • Mobile: 417-588-6185 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.
POLLED RED AND BLACK
the clinics to answer questions,
Barn 417-345-8122 discuss bull sales, expected
Green Springs
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