Historically, the technology used to monitor pastures was the keen eye of the stockman. New technologies – such as drones - can sample large pastures quickly under a variety of conditions without damaging forage.
When was the last time you considered a subtractive approach? Not just cutting feed or input costs but an enterprise evaluation to ensure your time is optimized.
When we consider the influential variables we measure and manage to, weight tops the list as weight-based decisions are at every stage of the beef supply chain, birth to carcass.
There are few no-risk options in the cattle business, but calves with reputation, high-growth potential and a well-executed health program should provide cattle feeders with relatively fewer health challenges.
Lessons learned from the pandemic marketing year suggest a decision structure built on gathering the most relevant data while minimizing the noise of the uncontrollable.
Some of the greatest benefits to feeding a cow herd have little to do with nutrition. Even the smallest amount of feed simplifies gathering, moving, and checking cows with the sound of the feed truck.
Which is more financially advantageous on your ranch if the average is the same, uniformity from top to bottom or bottom-end discounts offset by premiums from top-end excellence?
Imagine how valuable a technology could be in your animal health program that provides a daily list of calves not visiting the feed bunk or water tank in the last 24 hours.
