creep feeding | Ag Proud

The effects of stress in cattle during weaning and transportation

When cattle experience stress, the immune system leaps into action to defend the animal, sometimes at a cost to productivity. Understanding these physiological relationships could be the key to unlocking cattle’s profit potential.

September 17, 2024

Abe Scheaffer

Stress on cattle is inevitable, but producers know the goal is to manage and mitigate the stresses animals experience, including transportation, weaning, parturition, dietary and nutritional changes, predation, commingling, vaccination, diseases and infections.

Cashing in on your calf crop: Adding value at the auction block

By utilizing value-added programs and getting a firm grasp on the value of each pound gained, cow-calf producers can greatly increase their profitability.

September 9, 2024

Jessica L. Sperber

As we near the feedlot fall run and cow-calf producers market their calves at the highest prices received to date, every additional pound of gain has greater profit potential.

4 tips for early weaning beef calves

May 23, 2024

Travis Meteer

Early weaning must be well planned. Utilize your team to critique your nutrition, health and facilities prior to early weaning.

The case for confinement

As producers begin the work of rebuilding their herds, confined feeding of pairs can offer a way to maintain the herd when forage availability is tight. Here are some tips for success with that strategy.

November 22, 2023

Katie Raver

Even with a smaller 2023 calf crop, we are seeing increased cattle numbers. This means that feed inventories are likely increasing.

Are we getting enough from range calves?

Range-raised calves typically turn out lighter than their irrigated pasture-raised counterparts. Backgrounding and finishing practices are critical to catching them up carcass-wise.

October 18, 2023

John B. Hall

Calves raised on the range are often lighter at weaning compared to calves raised on irrigated pastures. With the right management through backgrounding and finishing, range calves can catch up with their counterparts.

Are your cattle ready for weaning?

Weaning is one of the most stressful events in an animal’s life. It is imperative that cattle be set up with a proper nutrition plan to help them continue to thrive during and after they’re weaned.

August 8, 2023

Jeff Heldt

It’s imperative that weaning goes perfectly because a calf in today’s economic cycle is worth at least $1,500. However, one very important thing can easily be forgotten: the calf’s nutritional plan from now until weaning. Will the cattle be ready when weaning day arrives?

Midwest/North: Is creep feeding worth it?

May 22, 2023

Travis Meteer

Feed cost, labor cost and availability, equipment cost and availability, calf marketing strategy, herd genetics, forage availability and cow age are all factors to consider when deciding to creep feed.

To creep or not to creep? That is the question

Creep feeding can improve producers’ bottom lines by increasing weaning weights, lowering stress levels at weaning time and strengthening calves’ immune systems.

February 22, 2023

Craig Belknap

Beef producers continually search for ways to improve their operations and bottom lines. One tool worthy of consideration is creep feeding calves.

Considerations when using self-feeders to finish cattle

Self-feeders exist on almost every cattle feeding operation, but they’re not always utilized properly. Taking these steps will help your self-feeders be as efficient and profitable as possible.

November 29, 2022

Don Cleaver and Heidi Doering-Resch

Regardless of why you utilize them, there are right and wrong ways to manage a self-feeder that can impact the overall health and performance of cattle. Compiling a list of things to consider will help you effectively utilize a self-feeder to reach your end goals.