Beginning this week in August, you will notice that we have changed the formulation of the “HE” CRYSTALYX® products. These were some of the oldest CRYSTALYX® products in existence. The “HE” in their name used to stand for “High Energy”. I say “used to”, because since I got involved with formulating the CRYSTALYX® products over 19 years ago, I also got involved with the marketing of them. I noticed that most every promotional flier we had on CRYSTALYX® products at the time, usually listed “high energy” as the first bullet point. Having access to the energy values of the various formulas, I could quickly see that the energy contained in ¾ pound of CRYSTALYX® was approximately the same as ¾ pound of corn. Now I agree that corn is relatively high in energy compared to straw, but I would struggle to promote CRYSTALYX® as high in energy, given that you could get the same amount of energy in ¾ pound of corn for much less money. We began having the “High Energy” bullet points removed from our advertising materials, and I slept better at night.
Making the most of summer pastures with Tasco
There’s no denying it, the summer months seems to speed by, especially when you live in a northern climate. Forage quality can disappear just as fast as summer when temperatures rise and seed heads appear. Cow performance can trail off too. As the days get hotter, she’s more likely to seek shade or the pond rather than graze. Both late summer issues can be combatted by adding a protein supplement with Tasco® to your pastures.
Exercise programs compared to grazing management systems for beef and dairy cattle
Intensive High Impact Workouts Verses Consistent and Strategic Activity
There are at least two times during the year that most people will think about exercise; around the New Year for making resolutions and in the summer when headed to the lake or beach. Personally, I prefer a comfortably paced walk compared to running a 5K and much prefer being active outside as compared to going to a gym. A reason people may give up on an exercise programs is the intensity and cost while convenience is really the main objection. We all can benefit from being in better shape by doing some exercise. That said; it does not have to involve packing up, driving to the gym, going hard for an hour every day. Don’t fall into the mindset that “I don’t have the time, energy or money to get in better shape”.
CRYSTALYX product application for the cow herd during the summer months
July is a time for many of us to let ruminants be ruminants by allowing our cow herd to graze without poking or prodding and at the same time give us a chance to either catch up on other things or to take a much deserved break, maybe even a vacation. In some regions of the country haying or putting up some sort of winter stored feed supplies. can take up a big part of the summer. While much of the CRYSTALYX® supplementation takes place in the fall and winter season, there are a number of product applications that take us year round.
No hoof - No bull
We’ve all heard the saying “no hoof – no horse”. This saying is popular because a lame horse is of little use to its owner. The same applies to our bulls. Regardless of his bloodlines, exceptional musculature or superior EPDs, if he is lame, he isn’t going to breed your cows to pass on those magnificent genes, so he’s useless to you.
CRYSTALYX and equines
It’s true; the vast majority of CRYSTALYX® fed is used for the purpose of supplementing cattle, and beef cattle at that. However, CRYSTALYX® has had products labeled for all classes of equines for a long time having good results with satisfied horse owners using products such as Stable-lyx®. Within the CRYSTALYX® product line, there are actually four products that are labeled for equines; I’ll write here most about Stable-lyx® .
Strike while the iron is hot!
Back in November of 2013, I wrote a blog about how numbers change every day. We are still setting records for cattle prices 7 months later. I saw a video on YouTube where some 425# calves brought $301/cwt on a video auction. August feeder cattle have been over $200/cwt for more than a week now. The cattle markets are hot, and we best take advantage of them! Or as the old cliché says, “Strike while the iron is hot!”
Making the most of summer pastures: Minerals
Everyone wants to make the most of summer. In the upper Midwest, we waste no time getting outside to soak up as much sun as possible to get us through the other 7-8 months. It’s no different for the cow-calf operators; the pastures are green, calves are growing like weeds and the next generation is just taking hold. It’s a picture Norman Rockwell would be proud of; however it’s what you don’t see that disturbs the beauty of this scene…mineral deficiencies.
June is dairy month: Open up your dairy or beef farm a little more to the public
June is a busy month with many activities that will allow us to provide the general public a little more access to our cattle operations. June is Dairy Month with many activities such as Dairy Breakfast and Farm and City Days and for beef operations there are farm tours and breed association events. These are wonderful activities to highlight the care and dedication that is given to our animals. The interest of the general population in THEIR food supply is at an all-time high. Unfortunately, the availability of misleading information and outright deceptive information about production agriculture and livestock production is also very abundant. In addition, I take issue with advertising by some in the feed and food industry which contributes to the consumer’s confusion by implying that one a product is more wholesome or safer than another that is produced by a different production processes. I challenge you to take the opportunity to open the door a little wider to be even more transparent on your management practices. We need this to continue to gain the trust and support of the general population. If we fail to explain the technology we use, we run the risk of losing access to that technology.
Summer reminders for managing your cow herd
We have made it to June and for many spring calving herds we have, or soon will, be turning the bulls in to start the breeding season. Although we are on the early side of summer, many will be asking in a couple of months, “just where did the summer go?” It happens every year. So to help make sure we stay on top of our summer cow management tasks I have a few reminders below to keep your herd producing those valuable calves that will reward your efforts.
