Best "non-breeding" decision you have implemented

[strojanherefords]

1.) Learning how to preg check. It took me around a hundred cows to get the hang of it but since I have been preg checking I easily attribute a 15% increase in conception percentage due to culling the opens as opposed to culling the broken mouths and dry cows. 

2.) Multimin- It is difficult to ensure that cows get enough minerals through free choice feeding alone. I will not synch cows without it.

3.) Supplementing with byproducts as opposed to feeding hay.  Normally I have an excess of poor quality feed in going into the winter, I can use that poor quality feed to replace 16 pounds per cow day of wheat hay with 5 pounds of almond hulls and 6 pounds of  "good" alfalfa fed on alternating days.

Ingredient	Cost per Ton	%marginalTDN above  cured grass	%marginalCP above cured grass	Pounds Fed	Lbs. mTDN	Lbs. mCP	Total Cost
Wheat Hay	$200	8%	4%	2,000	160	80	$200
Almond hulls	$150	16%	0%	625	100	0	$46.88
"Good" Alfalfa	$230	9%	11%	750	68	82	$86.25
Total Supplemented				1375	168	82	$133.13
Difference				-625	8	2	-$66.87

[larso]

Reading your posts Bltherf, Bookcliff and Elkwc sure evokes visions some of us could only dream of. I bet if you had your time over again you wouldn't change a thing.

[timbernt]

Byron, the new model A1 mist sprayer will create 60 to 70 mph winds which will carry about 50 feet into a fairly dense stand of brush. In an area with primarily weeds you can go a little farther. It will fog to the top of a 40 foot tree. The wind it creates will turn the leaves away from the chemical and coat both top and bottom giving good absorption. If you want weed control along a road you can easily stay on the road and cover the ditch and fence.

[bltherf]

One if the great challenges of managing your cattle operation is to decide which of the new advanced technologies to adapt and which of the older proven ones to carry on and use. Finding the right blend is usually best. I like and use a lot of the genetic tools available such as estrus synch, embryo transfer, DNA sorting etc, but still want to be a practical producer and not take Mother Nature out of the sorting equation In the end our management must still closely mirror where these bulls will work in their commercial environment.
A great thread. Certainly enjoy and appreciate all the ideas contributed here

[strojanherefords]

May 17, 2015 3:12:53 GMT -6 larso said:

Reading your posts Bltherf, Bookcliff and Elkwc sure evokes visions some of us could only dream of. I bet if you had your time over again you wouldn't change a thing.

Larso have you got much use out of that quick release lariat we sent you?

[larso]

I've used it a couple times but I'm a amateur at the best when it comes to using a rope. If someone had taken a video it probably would have made the finals of "funniest home videos"

[hoekland]

My single best decision was to "develop" bulls, rather than to just run them on my very seasonal grazing. Since I started putting bulls through an on farm growth test, at the rate i determined, I've sold out of bulls every year when others struggled.

On the genetic side of things it was starting linebreeding, it took about 8 years to start seeing real reslults, but it's very clear to me that it's the only way to constant progress.

[S&S Farms]

Getting married to a vet is right up there. Second putting scales in the alley way to have true numbers to use. Third deciding I am a grass farmer and dealing with pasture issues. Those issues are going to be several years of work.

[Glenn]

Good stuff, everyone. I guess I'd have to say marrying my wife would be #1. She doesn't have the passion for cattle but she 100% supports me and the time and money that I've spent through the years.

[larso]

I don't want to sound patronizing Glenn, but finding HT and then joining would have to be right up there for me in the last 12 months. I wouldn't have come across Danny and been able to import semen in his bull but not only that, just been able to talk to Hereford breeders and discuss issues has been invaluable and although not knowing many personally I still feel we have become lasting friends.

[bookcliff]

it always amazes me anymore how many guys know nothing about stockmanship. just chase and trip. I was taught to bunch em in a corner and then quitely work the one you want out to the edge and either hollihan him or just one or two quick swings. the other thing, the old timers I was around taught me how to do things like to build a big enough loop and play it to let em step one front foot thru with the head loop (but not so big as to rope em deep--and if you did how to feed the slack and come up with both heels) so you could handle em without chokin one when you were giong to take a head shot and you were buy yourself. also a damn sight easier to tail one down if your by yourself if your tying him down. or to feed em enough slack to for them to get a front over and then lay him em down. and boy would they cuss you out good for flat out tripping one unless there was absolutley no other option.

[circleh]

May 17, 2015 0:21:44 GMT -6 strojanherefords said:

 

2.) Multimin- It is difficult to ensure that cows get enough minerals through free choice feeding alone. I will not synch cows without it.

Ingredient	Cost per Ton	%marginalTDN above  cured grass	%marginalCP above cured gras	Pounds Fed	Lbs. mTDN	Lbs. mCP	Total Cost
Wheat Hay	$200	8%	4%	2,000	160	80	$200
Almond hulls	$150	16%	0%	625	100	0	$46.88
"Good" Alfalfa	$230	9%	11%	750	68	82	$86.25
Total Supplemented				1375	168	82	$133.13
Difference				-625	8	2

When do you give the Multimin?

[strojanherefords]

I give Multimin when I put in the CIDRs which is later than recommended. Because, I found the difficulty with timed A.I. was due to ovulation or implantation issues rather than cows not responding to the synchronization.