The Cattle
It has been said that ”the only thing consistent is change.” We have seen a lot of change over this past year both in our family and our operation.
Feeding Program
A combination of both economics and a realization that the ethanol industry is here to stay radically changed our feeding program. We have been feeding gluten, a byproduct of the ethanol manufacturing process to the sale cattle.
The only problem was that we didn’t receive any high-priced grants with this project!
Genetics
Yearling Bulls
These Yearling Bulls were raised by their dams on pasture and have seen no creep.
All the yearling bulls (Angus and Polled Hereford) have been running together on 22 acres of irrigated corn stalks, fed a growing ration plus have access to free choice hay. Their ration consists of modified wet distillers, ground straw and low quality hay, drayland corn silage and a mineral supplement. This ration has been feed bunk tested by Ward Laboratories at 42 Mcal. Grazing corn stalks and free choice hay will make that even lower. This environment plus a low starch diet gives them plenty of exercise, keeps them sound in their feet and joints, hard muscled and athletic. They are not dry lot developed. They may not be as heavy and fat as other marketed bulls – but they won’t melt away this summer and will have extra years of service. Remember you’re investing in a genetic package that stays the same irregardless of how it is “wrapped”, developed or promoted.
Fall Yearling Bulls
This is a strong set of sound, hard muscled, athletic bulls packed with performance and cow power. They received no creep, were weaned in January, developed on a 38 Mcal growing ration and ran on “washy” river bottom pasture this summer. After grain harvest they went to 27A dryland corn stalks with free choice alfalfa hay plus the 42 Mcal ration of distillers, ground straw and low quality hay, dryland corn silage and mineral supplement.
2 Year Old Bulls
These are not left overs, they were too young for last years sale or were used clean up this past summer. After harvest they ran on 100 acres of soybean stubble, had access to free choice hay and our growing ration. From a grove of trees where they often bedded down, it was over one half mile to water. Sound, hard muscled, athletic and can travel. All non-virgin bulls are trich tested.
Cow Herd
The vast majority of our spring cow herd calves out in the trees and corn stalks along the Cedar River that runs through our place. This is our natural selection process for mothering ability and calf vigor. Likewise with fertility-if you’re open, you’re gone.
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