If you run a stocker or backgrounding operation, you already know how important cattle gain is to the profitability and long-term sustainability of your business.
Small optimizations to pasture management and cattle health programs can work together to improve stocker weight gain this year. Sam Ingram, a range and pasture field scientist with Corteva Agriscience, and Dr. Jeffrey Sarchet, a beef technical services veterinarian with Zoetis, put their heads together to offer their five top suggestions for improving stocker average daily gain (ADG):
1. Prioritize valuable legumes by using effective pasture weed control strategies.
Every stocker operation is highly dependent on quality forage to maximize profit margins. If forage production is the goal, any plant that isn’t adding to the forage production in that pasture is competing with the other forage species that are. That’s why pasture weed control is one of the primary tactics to consider when trying to optimize pasture production and ultimately, ADG.
“When the quality of the legume is so high in total digestible nutrients and crude protein, you’re able to boost average daily gain in a really economical way,” Ingram says.
2. Prevent and control bovine respiratory disease (BRD).
BRD can significantly reduce gain in cattle and is a devastating disease for both cattle and producers, costing the industry up to $1 billion annually in lost production, increased labor, treatment costs and death.
“To help reduce losses from respiratory disease, it is important to implement control measures before it hits your operation,” Sarchet says. “A strategic on-arrival vaccination program can quickly provide protection from harmful BRD pathogens and give cattle a healthy start. When cattle are at increased risk of BRD, I also recommend using a broad-spectrum antimicrobial on arrival as part of an effective BRD control program.”
3. Implement a strategic deworming program.
If cattle are grazing, there is always a risk of exposure to internal parasites. A parasite control program is critical for stocker cattle to fully utilize nutrients in forage and achieve maximum weight gain.
“Parasites drain the immune system,” Sarchet says. “With the younger age of stocker cattle and the potential for higher risk of BRD, any boost to the immune system is beneficial. Parasites not only affect the immune system — they also suppress appetite and limit optimum gain.”
4. Consider implanting.
Typically, conventional growth implants increase cattle weight gain by 15 to 40 lb. during the grazing season. In current cattle markets, this can translate into an additional $53 to $143 per head for producers.
“Implants are an amazing technology because they essentially make the animal more efficient,” Sarchet says. “You can graze the same number of cattle on the same amount of nutritious pasture and produce even more beef.”
5. Consult local experts.
There are many variables and practices that can contribute to more forage and pounds of beef produced per acre, even in addition to those listed above. But Ingram and Sarchet emphasize that each operation is unique, with different management practices already in place.
“Corteva Agriscience and Zoetis offer robust portfolios of products that can help improve ADG, but both companies are invested in your operation’s success,” Ingram says. “Our teams of local experts are committed to sharing the latest and greatest knowledge in stocker cattle management and working with you to find the right mix of strategies and solutions to improve your margins.”
In addition to working with these in-field experts, it’s important to frequently consult your local veterinarian and nutritionist.
“I really admire stocker producers, because you have to wear two hats — you have to stay on your toes and keep a sharp pencil in both the forage production and cattle production aspects,” Sarchet says. “We deal more with the animal health side of it at Zoetis, but I spend a lot of time also talking with producers about growing good grass. It all goes together, and it really doesn’t work when it’s piecemealed. The benefits are proven to be additive.”
