This column is the last in a three-part series focusing on factors influencing the profitability of backgrounding cattle. To this point, we have covered economic and management issues related to this sector as well as the concept of formulating diets to match specific program objectives such as overwintering lightweight calves for grass and backgrounding medium- […] Read more
Can byproduct feeds play a role in growing calf programs?
You'll need to know their nutritional content and digestibility
Using byproduct feeds to influence profitability of backgrounded calves
Nutrition with John McKinnon
In my last column, I wrote about some of the challenges facing producers who background cattle, both from a marketing and production perspective. Concerning marketing, emphasis was placed on differences between custom and owner-operated businesses. From a production perspective, both knowledge of cost of production and identifying goals of the nutrition program were stressed. Concerning […] Read more
Production targets influencing profitability of backgrounded calves
Nutrition with John McKinnon
When beef producers discuss marketing, pricing often comes to the forefront of the discussion. To be current with market trends, astute producers will gather as much information on pricing as possible including working with marketing specialists, following the futures market and using various risk management strategies including price insurance. While it is hard to argue […] Read more
Making the most of your grazing season
Nutrition with John McKinnon
As grazing activity gets underway across the country, beef producers begin to turn their attention to other activities associated with their operation. From a herd nutrition perspective, the thinking of many is “Let the grass take care of the cattle.” Such thinking, while natural, can lead to issues that affect the health and productivity of […] Read more
Post-calving nutrition: Keep your foot on the gas
Meeting the nutritional needs of cows that have recently calved
As we move into spring, calving season is starting for some while for others it is well underway or nearing completion. To this point, your feeding program was likely directed at achieving optimal body condition at calving and ensuring that the nutritional needs of pregnancy were met. The next hurdle is ensuring that your post-calving […] Read more
Unpacking mineral tags: Understanding expected consumption for your cattle
Nutrition with John McKinnon
In my last column, I reviewed the steps one takes when interpreting a typical mineral tag including clues to the nature of the product’s name as well as the concentration details on the macro and trace minerals and the vitamins that one finds listed under the “Guaranteed Analysis” section. Such information can be used to […] Read more
Unpacking mineral tags
Nutrition with John McKinnon: What’s with the 2:1 in my mineral?
When I visit with cow-calf operators, I am encouraged to hear that most have a good understanding of the importance of proper mineral nutrition, particularly as it pertains to the reproductive success of the herd. However, when questioned about specifics of what mineral is required for what function or how much of a given mineral […] Read more
Questions on the feeding value of oat grain
Nutrition with John McKinnon
Of the various cereal grains available for cattle feeding, the one I get the most questions about is oat. Typical questions relate to energy value, need for processing, nutritive value of light versus heavy oats, and pricing both relative to bushel weight and other cereal grains. As there seems to be a lot of interest […] Read more
Cattle feed: A tale of two countries
Nutrition with John McKinnon
Throughout my career, I have had numerous opportunities to meet and talk with beef producers across Canada and in countries such as Mexico, China, New Zealand and Japan. However, until recently I never had the opportunity to interact in an extension setting with American producers. That changed last month when I gave a presentation to […] Read more
Winter arrives in cattle country
Nutrition with John McKinnon
As this article comes to print, it is early December and winter has gripped much of the country. Concurrent with this change in seasons, it is also a time of year when cattle feeders — cow-calf and feedlot alike — are settling into their winter-feeding programs. In the case of backgrounding and feedlot operations, hopefully […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
