CRYSTALYX® Helps Provide A Healthier Herd and Reproduction and Labor Savings For Minnesota Beef Producer
Abe Mach
Sturgeon Lake, MN
September, 2005
"Our calving interval used to be nearly 90 days, we've improved it to 60 days. We even have some cows cycling now at 35 days post calving."
Minnesota winters can take a toll on livestock with effects that last throughout the year. Abe Mach and his father Jim have been adapted three CRYSTALYX® products into their cow herd management practices with remarkable success.
The Machs have a commercial Angus and Red Angus operation near Sturgeon Lake, Minnesota. They are satisfied CRYSTALYX® customers for over two years.
In preparing his herd for winter Abe Mach supplements all his cows and heifers with CRYSTALYX® Replacement Heifer Formula™ to improve the utilization of feeds. When forage quality is good, the Mach's use CRYSTAL-PHOS® for mineral and vitamin supplementation only. The end result has paid off in management and reproductive efficiency.
"We used to feed a mineral and salt mixture made here on the operation as we thought we could get by for less cost," Abe said. But after using CRYSTAL-PHOS®, we know that all our mineral gets consumed and the intake is much more controlled."
Calving season with CRYSTALYX® has also been easier because calves are more vigorous and healthy.
"We're having some rather big calves due to bull selection," Abe said. But since the cows are in better condition we have few dystocia problems, and the cows clean well with no retained placentas. Our calving interval used to be nearly 90 days and we've improved it to 60 days. We even have some cows cycling now at 35 days post calving."
CRYSTALYX® ROLYX® Max containing Rabon® Oral Larvicide has been incorporated into the spring and summer grazing season for all cattle. This has provided an effective fly control program while also doubling as the mineral vitamin program.
"I like the way cattle eat the ROLYX®, we've had fewer flies, and have all but eliminated pinkeye," Abe said.
The Machs recommend CRYSTALYX® to other producers for the nutrition benefits, but say the management and labor aspect is another bonus.
"It's mostly just me working these cows in the summer," Abe said, "and CRYSTALYX® is easy to manage and it makes my life easier."
The Mach operation is a customer at Finlayson Ag Center in Finlayson, Minnesota, which has an increasing number of producers utilizing a variety of CRYSTALYX® supplement programs.
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