Feed conversion ratio (FCR or G:F) is the traditional measure of feed efficiency and feedlot performance. This trait is defined as the ratio between the animal’s gain and feed inputs
IF YOU are looking for fall or winter grazing, planting oats in the late summer can be a great option. Oats and other winter-sensitive small grains will typically yield more in the fall than winter
Cover crops are a conservation management tool in grain production that are used to enhance soil properties, reduce erosion, control weeds, and play a role in water management
Forages and grazing programs serve as the foundation of most cow-calf operations; thus, sound grazing strategies and forage management practices are vital for operational success
by Paige SmartS & K Livestock Development LLC is a custom cattle grazing business that was started by my brother, Ryan Kennedy, and I in 2018. Ryan had been using cover crops and minimum til
Milking dairy cows everyday became monotonous and tiresome for Mike Palmer as a young farmer, which is why he transitioned his grandfather’s dairy farm near Murray, Ky., into a grass-fed beef operation
As an extension economist for the College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky and also someone who has been finishing cattle for the past nine years on my own farm, I have had the opportunity
In a grazing operation, how do we decide when and where to feed hay? This may seem like a silly question, but the answer is more complicated than one might think
As the western United States again grapples with the effects of widespread fire and crippling drought, supplemental feeding must be considered for beef herds
Spring is officially here. Some beef producers have finished calving while others are just getting started. Regardless, understanding how to match your available forage to your herd’s nutritional
As spring begins, it is a good time to look back and evaluate how the winter-feeding program went. Did the cows come through the winter in good condition or were they thinner than desired?
For centuries, beef cattle production has relied on forages and grazing. Typically, the land resources utilized to support ruminant production are nontillable acres
AS I travel around, I see a lot of silage in uncovered piles, many for use by cow-calf or backgrounding operations. Looking at the amount of surface spoilage and knowing about the other major so
Making hay is an expensive and time-consuming process, said grazing consultant Jim Gerrish. The price of equipment, fuel, labor, and fertilizer continues to rise, while the value of animal products remain
Planning for next winter’s hay needs is a process that should begin now, before the hustle and bustle of summer arrives. Have you considered the type of hay-binding material you will use?
![14 Figure 1[8]](https://hayandforage.com/images/14-Figure-1-8-__1.5315.wideamini.1.jpg)
