Iowa beef producers have to balance dietary and nutritional considerations with getting the most value for their dollar after feed prices skyrocketed thi
s winter as a result of last year’s drought, said an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef cattle expert. Read more…
Seems like we’ve been working with cattlemen for the last six months on building their winter rations, but there are still some of you who are still developing winter rations. Adele Harty from SDSU has a good article on considerations for winter rations. However, remember that their grass is quite different from ours in Iowa so the ration recommendations may need modification.
Joe Sellers, our beef specialist in southcentral Iowa, just recorded a presentation on alternative rations 
for beef cows following last year’s drought. Let us know what you think of the videos we’ve posted to YouTube.
Cow-Calf Operations, Feed/Corn Coproducts, Forages, Hay & Grazing
Lately we’ve had a number of producers who are interested in the alkali treatment of corn stover for feeding cows. Dan Loy explains the process and procedures of converting stalks to feed in this YouTube video.
Cow-Calf Operations, Feed/Corn Coproducts, Feedlot Operations, Uncategorized
By Dan Loy, Iowa Beef Center
Feed costs have been increasing since 2007, but recent developments have moved feed costs into uncharted territory. After 40 years of $2 corn livestock producers became quite comfortable with these costs and with the relationship between year to year feed cost fluctuations and the cost of production. 2007 brought a new plateau in feed (corn) costs which have continued to increase, along with increased variation and volatility. These appear to be the new rules of feed cost economics.
Perhaps the most dramatic change that has occurred during this time period is that corn is no longer the lowest cost source of feed energy. This is a drastic change in Iowa, where “corn-fed” is often considered to be the middle name of Iowa Beef. For much of the past 100 years, the best cattle feeding ration has included corn, home-grown forage and a complete protein-based supplement. Today the best options are more local and may change from year to year. To be the low cost producer today takes a new approach to management of feed, ration and cattle. Check out the latest issue of “Growing Beef Newsletter” for suggestions to consider as you develop feeding programs for the upcoming year.
What are you doing to control the increased cost of feed in your operation?
Director's Comments, Feed/Corn Coproducts, Feedlot Operations, Uncategorized
