Cow calf production is all about getting the best return from the inputs you have invested.  You may be questioning when to start or how fast will protein supplements generate a return.  Input costs were higher than “normal” in most areas last year due to several factors.  Foremost, the drought of 2012 had a major impact on forage availability.  The additional investment in protein supplements provided a nice return by improving fiber digestibility, thus helping stretch tight forage supplies.  This allowed many producers to maintain their current herd size.  However, herd expansion was limited due to the low forage inventory and the need to generate cash which meant selling heifers as feeders. 

Now in 2013 we are in a very different situation.  In many areas, forage supplies have been replenished.  Late season moisture also extended pasture grazing for a number of cow calf operations.  These conditions have created a temptation to delay feeding stored forage and supplemental protein as long as possible or until snow is covering everything.  However, it is important to consider how and when supplemental protein will pay off.

Grazing crop residue such as corn stalks is an excellent way to extend the grazing season and delay feeding of hay.  Utilizing CRYSTALYX^® self-fed supplements like BGF 30™ generates a return by increasing the amount of corn stover harvested and improving its digestibility.  Grazing distribution of the cattle can be improved to all corners of the corn field by strategic placement of the CRYSTALX^® self-fed supplements.  This payoff is fairly rapid in terms of delaying the feeding stored hay and better body condition maintenance of the cows.  We accept the fact that the benefit of improved body condition is realized in the next breeding season.  Research on Fetal Programming as a proven a benefit of protein supplementation will be realized many months later due to improved performance of the next calf crop which is yet to be born.  Can you afford to wait that long for a pay off? 

Improved Utilization of Available Corn Stalks

40-50% of the dry matter per acre of corn is stalks and fodder which results in 3.0 to 4.5 tons/acre for corn grain yields of 100 to 150 bu. per acre.  Best estimates indicate cattle consume around 20% of the available crop residue.  What is the impact of getting more out of your stalks?  The table below shows the impact of increased utilization on grazing days and hay saved for a 40 acre section and 100 cows.

Increased Days To Graze Due to Improve Forage Utilization on 40 Acres

Assumptions:

100 cows X 30 lb. DMI/day = 3,000 lb. DM/day

40 acres X 4.5 tons fodder/acre = 180 tons or 360,000 lbs. total available

Let’s go back to my opening statement of getting the best return on your investment.  If we spent $0.40 per day to supplement the cows that would be ($0.40/day x 100 hd X 36 days) $1440.  Your actual cost may be less depending on location and supplement intake.  That investment, with a 10% improvement in utilization, allows you to gain 12 days of grazing and saves the feeding of 36 (108-72) bales of hay.  If hay is worth $75 per bale ($150/ton), the savings in hay cost would be $2,700 for a return on investment of 1.88.   Another way to look at the potential return is to calculate the additional days of grazing needed to pay for the total supplement cost.   We saved $2,700 in 12 days for $225 per day.  The $1440 supplement cost divided by $225 per day = 6.4 days needed to recover the total supplement cost.

Another reason to delay supplementing may be warranted if you anticipate significantly lower protein prices going forward.  Proteins prices in general follow soybean and soybean meal markets.  Soybean meal prices have stabilized but not declined like corn prices and most likely will not drop substantially from their current levels.  CRYSTALYX^® Brand Supplements used in forage-based nutrition programs have most always been a good investment in terms of both an immediate as well as future return on investment.  In cow-calf production there is nothing more important than protecting the future when maintaining a productive cow-herd.