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We weaned the calves off our mature cows (4-10 yr olds) today. These were mid-April through late May calves, Angus cows bred to maternal-type Angus bulls (Emulation, Shoshone, Wye breeding mostly). We had a dry start to the summer, had real good rain from late July through Labor Day. Moved...

I bought 100 ton of DDGS this summer to use as a protein supplement this winter while grazing cornstalks and dormant range. Now the question becomes, how do I get it to the cows? (It was much cheaper than alfalfa per unit of protein, so I bought it without worrying about delivery) The largest...

I'd like to get some opinions on electronic ID for cattle. Not as it pertains to a national ID system, but just on a ranch-level perspective. For those who use it, what's the purpose for doing so? Marketing or herd management? What do you like? What do you dislike? What would you change...

I had a wild idea, thought I'd see if anyone here could tell me if I'm on to something... I've heard about buying wet or modified distillers in the summer, layering it with straw, and packing it like silage to make it keep until winter. I've also heard about guys using the hay grinder to "mix"...

Been a dry spring here so we are selling about 30% of our cows tomorrow. Everything that had not calved plus a few pairs. We may sell down some more in a few weeks when we work calves if the weather doesn't change significantly. This is the first year since I have had a significant financial...

I am crunching numbers for the ranch this week, trying to figure out what to expect for a return this year. It's kinda tight compared in a few years ago of course. I pulled out a pasture lease from 5 years ago. My grass rent was 20% cheaper back then, but calf prices were not a whole lot...

I bred some extra heifers this summer, came up with about 65 bred ones to sell this fall. I consigned them to the same barn I bought them at. Suppose it was early September when I consigned them to the local barn's first Special Bred Cow & Hfr sale, Nov 5. Only one other consignment at that...

I'm brainstorming for ideas on low-cost, low-labor, low-input ways to winter our heifer calves and light steers. Here are my resources: 200 4-5 wt weaned calves, bale processor with 22 bu grain tank, bale bed, grain feeder for bale bed, metal bunks, bale rings, grass/alfalfa hay, oats/peas...

I've got a whole pile of carryover hay, as well as a decent crop again this year. We run our cows on cornstalks and stockpiled grass as long as possible. Last winter was pretty dang close to not having to feed any hay, other than alfalfa for protein and a few bales during bad weather. So, I...

Thought I'd share some photos of a supplement feeder I made this winter that has worked pretty well. I can't claim the original idea as my own, but this is my version of it. The tire was "take one get three free" from the local elevator. Came off a fertilizer spreader. The plastic on the...

We've always been a sisal twin outfit, but last year I bought a bale bed and have had a change of heart. I bought some net wrapped alfalfa and found it to hold together much better than sisal when I pick them up with the bale bed. However, our baler does not have a net wrap attachment. I'm...

I had a wild idea, thought I'd run it past you folks to see what you all think... I turn bulls out with my heifers July 15 (same as cows) because I hate calving in blizzards. Which means those bulls are unemployed for the entire month of June. I'll have 150 of my own heifers to breed. I've...

I've never used cake before as a protein supplement, but I'm looking into it this year. Turns out we have high selenium levels and I haven't found a commercial protein supplement around here whose mineral package does not include selenium. So I'm looking into having a custom mineral package...

I owned half a pen of feeder calves. Bought them last Dec 1 weighing 415. Were supposed to be fed for 2 lb ADG. They got on the truck last week weighing 525. :shock: That's about 0.6 lb ADG in case you were wondering. The guy that fed them I was in the military with. Swears he fed them...

I have had a smartphone for about 4 years now, and have found it rather useful for various ranch jobs. I thought I'd share what I've found, maybe other folks have other ideas to add to the thread. - Google Forms has been really useful for record keeping. I make the form on the computer using...

Found a nice used one, 2006 model, 7x24 with non-slip coating on the floor. Anybody have experience with a Delta, or the non-slip coating? Seller wants $6000 for it. Same thing new costs just a little over $10k.

I am looking to buy some rather tight-bred Emulation/5522/EXT bloodlines, and it seems Sinclair is the logical place to get them. Dad used those lines back in the late 80's & early 90's via AI and still talks about how much he liked the cows (yes, despite a few that had anger management...

Is it possible (or advisable) to run spayed heifers along with replacement heifers on grass? I would rather not have another herd to manage. This way they could all get out together rather than separately.

Looking to buy a semi-load of treated 8' round posts to be used for corner braces. 8"+ diameter would be best. I'm having trouble finding much online. Cammack Ranch Supply is about the only one that is close by, but I wanted to check around. If anyone knows of a wholesaler or something...

I've had a lot of wild ideas lately, this being the most recent. We run about 425 cows and raise our own replacements. We've got a lot of buckbrush (snowberry). I am looking for excuses to sell the haying equipment and buy whatever hay I need (a whole different topic for another time). If...