Tag: Cattle

Whole Cottonseed Can be Beneficial in Beef Cattle Rations

Posted on by Twin Rivers Media

Whole Cottonseed Can be Beneficial in Beef Cattle Rations

By Heather Smith Thomas

Whole cottonseed and alfalfa are two of the very best feeds for growing calves,” according to Ron Gill, PhD (Texas A&M).   “We also mix a lot of cottonseed hulls into cattle rations.  There is very little nutritional value in those hulls but adding these to the ration increases feed intake because cattle like them.  It’s a really good roughage source if you need to add fiber to a ration,” he says.

“There are many competing uses for those products, however.  The dairies use a lot of cottonseed in feed rations, and other industries use the hulls and lint.  The fracking business uses some of those products to plug wells, for instance. 

Cottonseed has been fed to cattle for a long time, but in recent years there has been renewed interest in this highly nutritious byproduct of the cotton industry.  Cotton Incorporated now has a Beef Advisory Council to help beef producers understand the benefits of feeding whole cottonseed.

Alisa Ogden, a member of the Beef Advisory Council for Cotton Incorporated, farms and ranches in southeastern New Mexico.  “In addition to having a cow-calf operation, we also raise cotton and alfalfa.  Some of us on the Cotton Board realized that not many beef cattle producers were using whole cottonseed, so the Cottonseed Beef Advisory Council was formed.  Whole cottonseed had been fed to dairy cattle for years because it increases production of butterfat and has other benefits, but beef cattle had never been targeted in educational efforts about this feed.  As a rancher and a cotton farmer, our family has utilized whole cottonseed for decades to feed calves after weaning, and feeding yearlings.  Benefits of cottonseed include the oil (fat) and protein,” she says.

One of the goals of the Beef Advisory Council is to educate nutritionists who work with feedlots, and also to dispel some of the misconceptions about use of whole cottonseed with beef cattle.

Blake Wilson, another Beef Advisory Council member and Associate Professor at Oklahoma State University at Stillwater specializes in ruminant nutrition and beef cattle nutrition. “I’ve conducted several research projects with whole cottonseed in feedlot cattle as well as in the cow-calf sector,” he says.

There are many potential benefits in using this feed as a supplement or in a ration for beef cattle.  “This is the seed, left over after the cotton has been harvested for fiber.  The seed left behind contains some residual lint or fiber, which helps give whole cottonseed some of its unique composition as a feedstuff for cattle diets,” he says.

“Old school terminology described whole cottonseed as a ‘triple-20 feed’, meaning it was approximately 20% fat, 20% protein, and 20% fiber, and all of these are important for a beef cow or feedlot animal.  Cottonseed is unique compared to other feed ingredients in that it is very high in those three characteristics; no other feed has that same nutritional profile.”

There was a lot of early research on cottonseed, but there wasn’t much new research in the past 20-plus years.  “Interest in this feed picked up again about the same time the Beef Advisory Council was formed.  There is renewed interest, as the dynamics within the feed industry have changed—not only with the COVID pandemic but also with fluctuations in the supply of other feedstuffs,” he says.

When feeding a total mixed ration in a feedlot, whole cottonseed can be included at about 15%-20% of the mix. “It can replace protein, fat and fiber from other ingredients in a feedlot ration, with either no detriment to performance or in some cases improved performance compared to the ingredients it replaces.”  In some situations, the standard ingredients of a ration become too expensive or harder to come by, and whole cottonseed might be a viable alternative.

“It may not make sense in every ration or for every feedlot operation, but it gives us another option, another ingredient we can bring into a ration and get those valuable nutrients.  It’s also an effective supplement for beef cattle on pasture.  At OSU we’ve been comparing whole cottonseed to what would be a traditional winter supplement for cattle, such as a 20% breeder cube.  People in this area often use a supplement on weathered mature pasture or medium or low-quality hay.  With various supplements, we compared differences in animal performance and rebreeding,” Blake says.  

“We are also looking at methane emissions.  We’ve seen data in stocker cattle that showed supplementing whole cottonseed can reduce methane production, perhaps due to the high fat content.  There could be several benefits to feeding this product, so we are trying to collect more data on that aspect, as well.”

Whether or not a beef producer uses whole cottonseed may depend on location and transport costs.  “The farthest north that cotton is grown is in Kansas and Missouri in the Midwest, Virginia in the East, and California (mainly in the San Joaquin Valley) in the West,” says Alisa.  “Many feedlots are in areas where cotton is being grown, so that’s another reason it makes sense for whole cottonseed to be fed to beef cattle,” she explains.

 

Dispelling Old Myths

Some beef producers still worry about potential risks of cottonseed on bull fertility, but this is not a big issue.  Blake says there is new research coming out of universities in the southeast, like Georgia and the Carolinas.  “They are investigating reported issues with gossypol and bulls.  There was a study in the past few years in Georgia in which they supplemented bulls with various levels of whole cottonseed for a 60-day period and didn’t see any negative impacts to semen quality or on breeding soundness exams,” he says.

“In that study they fed young bulls three different diets.  One group got 7 pounds of dried distillers grains, another group got a blend of distillers grains and whole cottonseed, and the third group got 7 pounds of whole cottonseed.  They compared those groups, tracking them for 60 days–the equivalent of a normal breeding season.  They didn’t find any difference in the percentage of normal sperm among any of those groups, out to 60 days.  They didn’t go any longer than that, but even at a fairly high level—7 pounds—they didn’t see a negative impact on sperm quantity or quality,” Blake says.

If a person still wants to play it safe and is using a defined breeding season (45 days, 60 days, or even 90 days) the bulls are not with the cows year-round and you can plan the diet so that the herd is not being fed cottonseed at a time it might possibly impact the bulls.  “The sperm present in those bulls at the time they are turned out with the cows were being produced 60 days prior to that.  Even if the bulls are eating along with the cows during the breeding season, the sperm would not be affected during a short breeding season, and only at the very end of a longer one,” he explains.

“In our studies, we’ve shown that at normal supplementation levels, there is either no detrimental effect, or only a minimal effect.  A person might have problems, however, if overfeeding whole cottonseed.  In the feedlot, for instance, we’ve seen animals start to eat less or back off feed due to the high fat content when fed at very high levels.  There’s no point in feeding levels high enough that would cause problems, but there’s been some interesting research in recent years that helped dispel that old belief that you can’t use this feed in a cow-calf operation because the bulls would have fertility issues.  That idea was based on very old research, and we are now realizing this is not an issue.”  Even if there might be minimal effects, those could be eliminated by not allowing bulls access to this feed year-round.

The amount you’d want to feed is about 0.5% of the animal’s body weight, which can vary from 5 to 8 pounds of feed per head per day. “You don’t need to feed any more than that,” Alisa says.  In terms of the cost of feed and efficiency, if you feed too much it can be counterproductive—and a waste of money.

Feeding Cows, Calves And Yearlings

“We background our calves and have always fed cottonseed,” Alisa says.  “When we have cottonseed in our ration, it is the first thing the cattle eat.  They like it and sort it out to eat first.  They nuzzle through the rest of the feed in the bunk to find it; you can hear them crunching on cottonseed before they go back and eat the roughage.  They want the best first!” she says.

“We also found that whenever we had sick animals, if we fed cottonseed meal or whole cottonseed, it seemed to help them recover faster.”  It was probably more palatable than other feeds and could entice them to eat when they were off feed.  Her father also felt that it would pull toxins out of the gut.  This might be due to the ability of the fiber to keep everything moving through and the gut working properly.

Her family usually only fed cottonseed to calves being backgrounded so it could be fed in bunks.  With cows out on range pastures, some would be wasted fed out on the ground.  “We’d want to feed it in bunks, and that method is impractical out there on big range pastures,” Alisa says.

 “Back when we had a cottonseed oil mill in our little town, they produced old-style cottonseed cake—which cows can readily eat off the ground.  The cows flourished on that product, because the mill ground up whole cottonseed and put it with the oil to make the cake pellets.  When we had to change to a different pellet that was grain based rather than cottonseed base, cows would not eat it.  If a person feeds cake (something that can be spread on the ground for cattle) if you can get the old style with cottonseed in it, cows do much better on that.  It’s easier for a processor to make the other kind of pellets, however,” she says.

Blake says whole cottonseed makes an ideal receiving diet for young or stressed calves, partly because it does contain a little roughage.  “Whole cottonseed is a good source of nutrients and a good source of energy, but where that energy is coming from is different compared to a cereal grain.  The animal is not getting energy from starch (which can be detrimental at high levels) but from fat and fiber.  You can provide the nutrients and energy the animal needs, but the mechanism for delivering it is a little different.  This influences what’s happening in the rumen.  Acidosis can be a problem when adapting cattle to high-grain feedlot diets; if you can get more energy into cattle while feeding less starch, you have a lot of benefits,” he says.  

Grazing, Resting and Reseeding Your Pastures

Posted on by Twin Rivers Media

Grazing, Resting and Reseeding Your Pastures

By Jaclyn Krymowski

Pasture management is one part of ranching that’s easily pushed to the side amid the hustle and bustle of the seasons and daily operations.

However, taking the time to analyze your pastures and give them a break to “refresh” can help with longevity and the nutritional value it provides your animals. You need not be an intensive grazer with a strict rotation schedule to benefit from the basics of routine management and forethought.

Remember that your pasture is more than just grasses and legumes – it’s made up of many living organisms that require care. A healthy pasture will lend itself to creating a healthy herd.

In cattle production systems, one of the highest cost items is feed, and many producers use grazing as an attempt to reduce some costs. If a pasture-based system is managed properly, it will return the favor by increasing your overall productivity

The Grazing Game Plan

A grazing plan allows for the full use of the resources available. Additionally, it should include all components of grazing and the pasture system to best make management decisions, as noted by University of Minnesota extension educators Joe Armstrong and Brad Heins in their bulletin Grazing and Pasture Management for Cattle.

A grazing plan should also be tracked and monitored so improvements can be made along the way. It identifies what worked or what did not work for your pasture setup. Successes are also noteworthy as they can help make those improvements for the next grazing season.

A grazing system consists of a good and quality pasture condition. Quality of pasture can vary from one end to another, write Armstrong and Heins, and as improvements are made the overall condition should improve across the board.

While a good start is crucial, adapting through reseeding can optimize pasture productivity.

“Forage grass and legume species each have their own unique growth, persistence, and quality characteristics. Because they respond differently to soil conditions, weather patterns, fertility and grazing management, the plants that are currently growing in your pastures may be different from one area to another,” according to Armstrong and Heins.

The health of both the herd and the land are interconnected. In drought situations, everything suffers. Rotation can be a powerful tool to make this time less stressful on the pastures, even if it means moving pastures more frequently. As a rule of thumb, grass should only be grazed down to three or four inches at the most.

Depending on your setup, you can designate a “sacrifice area” on limited acreage where you keep your animals for extended periods of time and supplement hay and other feedstuffs to keep them from overgrazing on the rest of your pastures.

Pasture Management

Part of pasture management is not only understanding the different practices, but also understanding what is being grown and the conditions of the land they are growing in.

Soil testing is a crucial tool for effective pasture management. It provides essential information about soil health, nutrient levels, and potential problems. Regular testing can help you identify changes in soil conditions and take proactive steps to improve pasture productivity.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service recommends that pastures be sampled at least every four years. For accurate nutrient readings, the best time to sample is in late summer and fall. All samples should be taken from the same location during the same time of year as part of a long term strategy.

This will not only provide a snapshot of your soil quality in the here and now, but it will also provide insight into what nutrients you may need to apply in the coming year.

Besides grazing, there may be times when some pastures benefit from mechanical mowing.

Pastures that are overgrown (or perhaps have patches of unpalatable plants that your cows aren’t eating) do best when they are mowed to promote better forage vegetation and to cut down on weed populations.

When doing this, be sure you know the optimal length for the type of grass you have so you don’t mow too short and slow growth rather than promote it. You want to encourage the growth of new forages in timely manner while removing the less nutritious, more mature stalks.

Grazing Practices

There are a variety of grazing systems and each will yield different results. These range from a continuous grazing system to intensive rotational grazing. Continuous grazing pasture systems experience both overgrazing and undergrazing. A rotational system allows for an extended grazing season while also promoting better pasture utilization through a rest and regrow period, as explained by Armstrong and Heins. Additionally, it allows the farmer to move the livestock based upon the forage growth.

Pasture productivity increases when energy reserves are properly, routinely restored, which is what rotational grazing systems offer.

Another management practice is adaptive grazing, which allows for adaptation and flexibility based on conditions and isn’t a “formulaic approach,” according to an Understand Ag blog, “How to Implement Adaptive Dairy Grazing.”

It has been found to be one of the better grazing systems for “making continuous progress, increasing SOM, biomass production and biodiversity, and optimizing net profitability”

Adaptive grazing may seem intimidating because of the flexibility and commitment it has to have, but it can certainly be worthwhile.

Picking a system that fits your land and herd size is important. Additional factors include what type of seasons you may have (wet or dry), which could impact your grazing season (or length the animals are on pasture).

Don’t Forget to Reseed

Reseeding is a vital practice that can significantly enhance the productivity and longevity of your pastures. Over time, factors such as grazing pressure, weather conditions, and soil health can diminish the quality and density of forage species. Introducing new seed on a routine basis helps fills bare spots, improves forage quality, and increases the resilience of your pasture against pests and diseases.

When selecting seeds, consider the specific conditions of your land, such as soil type, climate, and current vegetation. Opt for forage species that are well-adapted to these conditions to ensure they establish well and provide the desired benefits. For instance, incorporating drought-tolerant species can help maintain pasture productivity during dry spells, while cold-resistant species may be essential in regions with harsh winters.

Reseeding is most effective when it is part of a broader pasture management strategy. The best time to reseed typically aligns with periods when soil moisture and temperature conditions are optimal for seed germination and growth, such as early spring or late summer. By integrating reseeding into your overall pasture management plan, you can maintain a diverse and healthy plant population that supports your herd's nutritional needs and contributes to sustainable pasture use over time.

Creating a well-thought-out grazing plan is essential for maximizing the productive life of both the pasture and the herd. Regularly recording and tracking grazing data allows for ongoing improvements and better decision-making each season. 

Additionally, it’s important to have contingency plans for times when grazing is not feasible, such as during periods of extreme weather. Effective pasture management not only supports the well-being of the animals but can also be a cost-effective strategy to reduce feed expenses. Ultimately, finding a system that aligns with the unique needs of the operation will help ensure both the pasture and herd thrive year after year.

The Horn Fly Threat: How to Identify, Control, and Prevent Infestations

Posted on by Twin Rivers Media

The Horn Fly Threat: How to Identify, Control, and Prevent Infestations

Article and photo courtesy of Central Life Sciences

Did you know that the horn fly is one of the most economically damaging pests of pasture cattle in the United States? Horn flies cost cattle producers approximately $1 billion every year. But how can you fix this problem if you don’t even know what to look for?

Horn flies are the most prevalent and costly external parasites of cattle in North America. The stress caused by horn flies can result in interrupted grazing patterns, leading to impacted milk production and reduced weight gains in cattle. Implementing a horn fly management program with your cattle will help promote overall herd health.

To better help you identify and control horn fly infestations on your operation, Central Life Sciences is here to help keep your cattle comfortable and your profits high.

What is a Horn Fly?

Horn flies are small biting flies with piercing-type mouthparts, which take up to 40 blood meals per day. They are grayish with two stripes on their thorax and are usually found congregating on the backs and sides of cattle.

Horn flies typically only leave the backs of cattle to lay their eggs in fresh manure. These eggs hatch and develop into larvae in the manure and pupate underneath or in the surrounding soil around the manure. After the pupae molt, the adult horn flies emerge to reproduce and feed for up to 4 weeks. While the total life span of horn flies is slightly longer than one month, their populations build quickly, causing explosive infestations in the warmer months.

Signs of Horn Fly Infestations

  • Flies on the backs of cattle
  • Twitching
  • Tail swishing

The economic threshold for horn flies is 200 per cow or 100 per side. When left untreated, fly infestations can rapidly increase to thousands of flies per animal, leading to increased cattle stress that impacts performance. This causes cattle to burn excess energy to combat the flies, reducing grazing time, feed intake and daily gain. These stress behaviors impact weight gain, decreases milk production, milk quality and reproductivity such as conception and breed back timing. 

Disease from Horn Flies

Horn flies can also impact cattle health by spreading disease. Horn flies constantly are feeding from the cattle, allowing them to easily transfer disease agents. Horn flies are implicated in transferring heifer mastitis. As they feed on the teats and udders, they are able to transmit the bacteria. The bacteria enter the teat and moves through the quarter, destroying milk-producing tissues. If left untreated, heifer mastitis can affect the heifers’ milk production and life-long productivity before she has her first calf.

How Can Altosid® IGR Help?

Given the role horn flies play in cow health and conception, implementing preventative fly control strategies are key to protecting your herd and profit from horn flies.

The easiest way to use a preventative control for horn flies is to use a feed-through larvicide or insect growth regulator (IGR), like Altosid® IGR, which allows the cattle to treat themselves by simply adding it to your current feed or mineral program, reducing both time and labor. Altosid® IGR is a feed-through larvicide that breaks the life cycle of horn flies by targeting the immature stage before they are able to emerge as adults. The active ingredient, (S)-methoprene, is unique to insects, interrupting the transition into biting adults.

Effective Horn Fly Control with Altosid® IGR

To ensure success with Altosid® IGR, implement and follow the tips below. By following the tips outlined, you can help limit the number of horn flies produced on your pastures and impacting your cattle.

For Success:

  • Begin feeding product with Altosid® IGR 30 days before the average last frost in the spring
  • If feeding in free choice feeds such as mineral supplements:
    • Put out a 5- to 7-day supply and allow one feeder per 15 to 20 cattle.
    • Place near watering or loafing areas. 
  • Monitor feed consumption for a few days. Increase or decrease the number of feeders or move them if necessary to adjust for proper consumption. Ensuring appropriate consumption is key to product effectiveness.
  • Continue feeding product with Altosid® IGR for 30 days after the first frost to limit the number of horn flies overwintering and jumpstarting the population in the following spring.

In most years, Altosid® IGR alone provides excellent season-long control when used as directed. If fly populations exceed acceptable levels or an Altosid® IGR supplement is started after horn flies are present, use Starbar® Prolate/Lintox-HD™ Insecticidal Spray & Backrubber for Livestock, Cattle Armor™ 1% Synergized Pour-On, or Inhibidor™ Insecticidal Pour-On to knock back the adult fly population.

While you will never eliminate all flies on cattle, maintaining a fly control program will help keep the horn fly population under the economic threshold, and protect your herd’s health and bottom line. Altosid® IGR is available in mineral blocks, tubs, liquid feed supplements and as a premix that can be top dressed or mixed into feed. Visit AltosidIGR.com to learn more. 

Altosid, Inhibidor, Prolate/Lintox-HD and Starbar are trademarks of Wellmark International.

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