Feed grains and commodity prices are high and the latest words of wisdom echoing throughout the industry indicate that cow-calf and stocker operators should look at all possible options to maximize performance from their forage programs. There are numerous ways to manage your forages as well as supplemental inputs. These can vary considerably by geographic regions, cattle type, grazing and climate conditions or land resources that you have available. I have put together a list of five ways to help you get the most from your forages. Our team of bloggers will be looking at expanding on these areas over the next five weeks to help you more fully evaluate ways to maximize returns to your beef cattle operation.

1. Delay spring turn out on native cool season or mixed pastures in the plains and northern plains states. Overall forage production can be dramatically reduced (35 percent or greater) for the grazing period if these native pastures are grazed too early in the spring. Too early is prior to when there are four fully developed leaves and coincides with achieving positive energy balance within the grass plant. Use of tame cool season pastures is a natural way to get a jump on grazing well ahead of your native pastures. These types of grasses commonly include Smooth Brome or Crested Wheat. Use of winter annuals, crop residues or stored forages such as hay or silage can also help maintain early spring forage supplies. When cows are pushing on the fence, you can easily be convinced to just open the gate. Don’t do it if you want to maximize the forage potential of your grasslands.
2. Annual crops can provide additional grazing or stored forages when needed. If additional forages are needed to help during periods of drought, delaying turn out on native pastures or extending the grazing season when native pasture resources are depleted, annual crops planted for forage use can be very cost effective. A wide variety of crops, their growing characteristics and their use as grazed or stored forages can provide many options to cattle producers when they have access to cropland. Many operations come to rely on this forage base as a planned part of their overall feed program.
3. Forage preservatives can dramatically reduce dry matter loss in silage and hay. Forage preservatives applied during the ensiling process, or when baling hay, can help reduce losses associated with spoilage. Sulfite-based preservatives such as BulletProof^® are different from organic acids or inoculants which can also be used when storing forages. Go to BulletProofYourForage.com to evaluate some of the differences. These products can help provide a wider harvest window, reduce losses from heating, increase DM recovery and significantly reduce mold and yeast growth. Forage preservatives like BulletProof^® have even higher rates of return when forages and supplements are worth what they are today. They should be a part of any stored forage program.
4. Incorporate the use of feed additives for stockers and replacement heifers. To increase animal performance while grazing, feed additives such as ionophores can easily provide an extra 10 percent boost in ADG. Over the summer grazing season this could amount to an added 25 to 45 lbs on stocker cattle or replacement heifers. Free-choice delivery of government regulated feed additives such as ionophores must be approved by the FDA. There are only a few of these products available on the market today. CRYSTALYX^® Ionolyx-B 300 contains Bovatec^® and provides 30 percent CP formulated to supplement stocker cattle and/or replacement heifers. Make sure you read and follow label directions on their use. Products with free-choice clearance for the delivery of ionophores to mature beef cows are limited.
5. Pasture rotation systems can extend grazing. Depending upon your part of the country, soil type, growing conditions and pasture species, a rotational grazing system may help you maximize the forage produced on a per acre basis. A wide variety of rotation systems are in use and vary in complexity and results. Visit with your state land grant university or USDA research staff on recommendations for your area of the country.

Bovatec^® is a registered trademark of Pfizer Animal Health, Madison, NJ.