Water and hay are hot topics this fall in much of the U.S. this year. We have had historic drought conditions along with record number of days with temperatures above 100 degrees. Water is the most important daily requirement when temperatures are this hot. Several herds have been moved across state lines just because the ranch was out of water. So it was great last night to visit with a west central Missouri rancher who was not worried about his water supply. He not only had water, it was a spring-fed water supply. He had made the investment in a storage tank so he could pipe clean cool spring water to watering tanks for his cows. He also had quite a bit of timber in his pastures for shade. He was having an average year for the performance for his herd.
However, his performance is much better than the average for this year. His “better” water supply and “better” shade was and is worth quite a bit this year (and every year). He has a normal calf crop to market at much “better” prices and will have a normal calf crop next year to market at “better” yet prices. What else is he doing better?
He has several acres of alfalfa and improved grass for hay production. He has culled a few head but will have enough hay to get to next spring. He will not buy hay because his “poor” hay is “better” than the high-priced hay that is locally available. He didn’t think his spoiled cows would eat “purchased” hay. He will have to reseed some alfalfa next spring but is looking at this as an opportunity to improve his fescue pastures. He is considering a New Zealand fescue variety with finer leaves that is better than his current fescue.
We didn’t talk about his genetics or his marketing plan. But, I imagine it is better than an average plan. We did, however, visit about fetal programing and which CRYSTALYX® product would be best for his feed program and calving season. He has a choice of several different feed suppliers but feels a CRYSTALYX® low moisture block is the best product available.
He feels the choices in the CRYSTALYX® product line are better than any other feed company’s. He feels he can closely match his feed resources with a CRYSTALYX® product to better match his cattle’s requirements.
This producer is one of the “better” ones. His management plan uses better water, shade, feed and feed supplements. He is “better” than most at asking good questions. He does not want a cheap product; he wants a “better” product than will allow his animals to perform much “better” than average. His bottom line is likely much better than average this year and probably every year.