Tag: Grazing

Articles focusing around grazing practices for you cattle or livestock

CERES TAG Partners with Missouri State University to Advance Smarter Grazing and Land Management

Posted on by Cattle- Web-Manager-2

CERES TAG Partners with Missouri State University to Advance Smarter Grazing and Land Management

CERES TAG, a leader in satellite-enabled livestock intelligence, is proud to announce a new technology collaboration agreement with researchers at the University of Missouri Department of Animal Sciences to evaluate how real-time livestock behavior and grazing activity data can improve understanding of tall fescue grazing systems in Missouri cattle and small ruminant operations.

The collaboration will support ongoing grazing and forage systems research associated with Dr. Eric Bailey and Dr Harley Naumann and MU’s forage-livestock research programs. By integrating CERES TAG’s animal monitoring technology into pasture-based research environments, the project aims to generate new insights into grazing distribution, forage utilization, livestock movement patterns, and animal performance on fescue-based systems.

In addition to utilizing CERES TAGS for cattle research, CERES TAG smart ear tags will also be deployed on sheep to better understand grazing behaviors, pasture utilization patterns, and species-specific interactions within grazing systems. Researchers believe incorporating sheep into the study will provide valuable insights into multi-species grazing strategies, forage management, and regenerative pasture systems.

Missouri producers rely heavily on tall fescue pasture systems, yet variability in grazing pressure, forage quality, heat stress, and pasture utilization continues to impact efficiency and profitability. Researchers believe precision livestock monitoring can help quantify how animals interact with pasture environments in ways not previously measurable at scale.

CERES TAG’s solar-powered smart ear tags provide continuous livestock location and behavioral data without requiring on-farm infrastructure. The technology enables researchers to monitor grazing activity, walking distance, time spent near water or shade, and pasture utilization patterns across large grazing environments.

Researchers also expect the project to contribute to broader discussions around regenerative grazing systems, pasture sustainability, multi-species grazing management, and data-driven livestock production practices.

“Producers are increasingly looking for practical technologies that improve operational visibility while supporting sustainability goals,” said CERES TAG Sales Lead Matthew Randerson. “Collaborating with leading grazing researchers at the University of Missouri allows us to demonstrate how real-time livestock intelligence can contribute to better pasture management and more efficient beef and small ruminant production systems.”

Field implementation and data collection are expected to occur through MU research farms and cooperating grazing operations throughout Missouri.

 

About CERES TAG 

CERES TAG develops advanced livestock monitoring technology designed to provide producers and researchers with real-time animal intelligence through satellite-connected smart ear tags. The platform supports improved livestock visibility, operational efficiency, sustainability measurement, and animal welfare outcomes across extensive grazing systems.

About the University of Missouri Department of Animal Sciences 

The University of Missouri Department of Animal Sciences advances livestock research, education, and Extension programs focused on improving animal production, forage systems, and sustainable agricultural practices. Through innovative research and producer partnerships, the department supports practical solutions that strengthen the future of beef, sheep, and grazing-based livestock systems across Missouri and beyond.

CONTACT:
Info@cerestag.com
www.cerestag.com 

 

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Extend Grazing Days with Fall Cover Crops

Posted on by Weicks-Webmaster

Extend Grazing Days with Fall Cover Crops

Ranching advisor Jim Johnson breaks down a common question he hears from ranchers – how to incorporate fall cover crops into a grazing plan.

One of the most common questions ranchers ask Jim Johnson is how to supplement grazing needs while transitioning to regenerative practices. Instead of baling or buying hay, Johnson, senior regenerative ranching advisor at Noble Research Institute, suggests adding fall cover crops to their grazing plan.

Grazing and economic benefits of fall cover crops

From a grazing perspective, there are abundant reasons to add fall cover crops to your pastures, especially if you want to reduce your reliance on hay. But these cool-season cover crops add more to your ranch than grazing days. They can boost soil health, increase plant diversity and attract pollinators and other beneficial insects.

“In the first year, you may see an increase in insects and beneficial animals. But it may take a few years for a noticeable increase in earthworms and water retention or infiltration rates,” explains Johnson.

Noble’s Red River Ranch began incorporating fall cover crops a couple of years ago. Ranch manager Kevin Pierce plants cool-season crops in December and grazes them in February and March, when his warm-season pastures are dormant. Pierce adopted this practice for soil health benefits, but Johnson believes there’s an economic benefit to increasing grazing days, too. It’s a conversation that perks up ears in the Noble Land Essentials courses he teaches.  

“The economics would be a lot better, for one, because you’re not paying to cut, rake, bale, and haul hay off, then haul it back and feed it to (the cattle),” he says. “You don’t have the shrink from it decomposing in a field, or the capital expenditure if it’s in a barn for storage.” 

Determine if fall cover crops are right for your pastures

But before ranchers haul out their planting equipment, Johnson says it’s important to know why you’re planting the cover crop, and how you plan to use it.

“How does that grazing field fit into the rest of your grazing plan? Does it match a time when you have a forage need, and allow you to reduce hay feeding?” he asks. “Maybe instead of a cover crop, think of it as a second forage crop. I think it can still provide a lot of the same benefits to the ecosystem if we manage it properly when you graze a cover crop.”

If you know why you’re planting the cover crop, then you can begin to determine the right crop – or mix of crops – to plant. For example, a cover crop to increase plant diversity and add forages to your grazing plan might be a specific mix of grasses and legumes, while a cover crop to break up compacted soil or attract pollinators will focus on plants with deep root systems or flowering plants, respectively.

Johnson recommends connecting with a neighbor who uses cover crops or contacting your regional Cover Crops Council for more information about what works well in your area. If local producers aren’t an option, he suggests starting with a seed company website or catalogue. There are many good ones available, but his preference is Green Cover, based in south-central Nebraska.

“Many seed company websites have some kind of interactive tool to help producers determine the right mix for their operation,” Johnson says. “You might have to tweak their recommendation, but it gets folks started on a good path.”

Adopt best practices for planting fall cover crops

The easiest way to integrate a fall cover crop is to let the first frost stop the growth of your warm-season grasses, then plant your cool-season cover crop.  Johnson acknowledges that access to a no-till drill – the tool he believes is the best way to plant a crop into pastureland – can be limited for many ranchers.

“You can broadcast or tread in with cattle, but it’s not as dependable and predictable as a no-till drill. Though, if you can get some good rain right after planting, you might get closer,” Johnson says. He also points out that broadcast seeding rates may need to be higher than those recommended when using a no-till drill. Also, he knows ranchers may not like hearing this, but Johnson often responds to their requests for specific cover-crop advice or recommendations with, “it depends.” He knows every ranch is unique and every rancher employs a different philosophy about achieving their ranch goals. Generally, he encourages producers to experiment on a small section of their pasture to determine what works best for them.

August 2025
By Laura Brenner, Sr. Content Writer

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Do You Have Enough Resources for Your Cow Herd?

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Do you have enough resources? Why cow size matters now more than ever

As genetics continue to evolve, the modern beef cow is bigger, more productive and more demanding. But is every operation equipped to feed her?

It’s a question Dr. Elizabeth Belew, beef nutritionist with Purina® Animal Nutrition, gets asked frequently. From walking pastures with producers to consulting on feed programs across the country, Dr. Belew has seen firsthand that one size does not fit all. With finishing weights increasing over the past two decades, it’s clear that cow size on cow-calf operations has followed suit. 

“Industry trends are shaping the story,” says Dr. Belew. “We’ve seen steady increases in finishing weights, and that has a direct correlation to mature cow body size. Bigger cows are here, and producers need to make sure their management practices match.”

Bigger cow, bigger needs

While genetic advancements have helped producers achieve more, from increased beef production to increased pregnancy rates, they’ve outpaced management practices in some herds. This has directly impacted grazing pressure, nutritional requirements and producers’ bottom lines. As body size increases, so does the cow’s requirements. This means producers need more forage and more feed to support their cows.

“If you go from managing a 1,000-pound cow to a 1,500-pound cow, that’s a 50% increase in body weight,” Belew explains. “But her energy requirement doesn’t increase linearly, it goes up about 36%. That’s still a significant bump.”

Let’s break it down. Using 2.5% of body weight as an intake estimator:

  • A 1,000-lb. cow will consume about 25 lbs. of dry matter daily.
  • A 1,500-lb. cow will need roughly 37-38 lbs. of dry matter daily.

That difference adds up to approximately 4,500 additional lbs. of forage per cow, per year. Multiply that by herd size, and the forage demands become clear. 

“If you don’t have the resources, whether that’s pasture, feed or labor, then that cow’s size could start working against you,” Dr. Belew says.

In addition to dry matter intake, it is important to ensure each cow is receiving the right minerals to support their needs and size. Purina® Wind and Rain® Minerals are available as a comprehensive line of beef cattle minerals designed to address the mineral deficiencies of the available forage, in a palatable, weather-resistant and granular formula.

So, what’s the “ideal” cow size? 

So, what’s the “ideal” cow size? It depends entirely on the operation.

“I get this question a lot,” says Dr. Belew. “There’s no universal answer. A 1,500-pound cow might be perfect for one producer and totally unsustainable for another.”

What matters the most is matching cow size to the feed, land, management and labor available. It’s not about shrinking your herd, it’s about feeding what you’ve got, appropriately and efficiently.

“If you’re better suited for a 1,300-lb. cow based on your land and resources, then do what’s right for your operation,” she says. “I’m not here to tell producers to raise smaller or bigger cows. I’m here to help them feed the cow they’ve chosen.”

Are bigger cows weaning bigger calves?

With greater inputs come greater expectations. One question that often arises is whether a larger cow justifies her cost by weaning a proportionally larger calf.

Dr. Belew suggests using a common benchmark: weaning 50% of the cow’s body weight.

  • A 1,000-lb. cow should wean a 500 lb. calf.
  • A 1,500-lb. cow should wean a 750 lb. calf.

“Can that 1,500-pound cow get it done? I think she can, but only if she’s fed to meet her needs,” says Belew. “You can’t expect that kind of output if you’re not meeting her nutritional demands.”

That’s where management tools like creep feeding come in. For some producers, creep feeding can help calves reach their genetic potential without placing the entire nutritional burden on the cow, especially during times of forage shortfall.

“There’s definitely a play for creep feeding in today’s herds,” Dr. Belew says. “Creep feeding Purina® Accuration® Creep programs can help close the gap between what the cow and forage can deliver and what the calf needs to thrive. 

Grazing pressure and stocking rates

Another often-overlooked aspect of increasing cow size is its impact on stocking rates. With each cow requiring more forage, it may not be realistic to run the same number of animals on the same piece of land.

“If we’re still trying to run the same number of cows that our grandparents did on the same unit of land, we might be overstocked without realizing it,” Dr. Belew notes. “We’re not feeding the same animal anymore.”

For many producers, this realization comes with hard choices: reducing herd size, investing in more feed or adjusting genetics over time. Regardless of the route, understanding cow size and how it impacts daily and yearly forage needs is essential to long-term sustainability of your herd.

Practical takeaways for producers

If you’re managing a herd today, Dr. Belew encourages you to ask a few key questions:

  • What is the average weight of my mature cows?
    • Eyeballing isn’t enough. Take the time to weigh them on a scale or compare your sale barn ticket to find the average of your herd. 
  • Am I matching my nutrition program to actual cow size and performance goals?
    • Bigger cows need more energy. During breeding, analyze your cow’s body condition score and make improvements if needed to meet your herd’s needs prior to weaning. 
  • How do my weaning weights compare to cow size?
    • Compare your weaning weights to your average cow size to better understand if your cows are properly supporting their calves. 
  • Can my land support the grazing needs of a heavier herd?
    • Especially in drought-prone areas, reevaluate your land to ensure you are meeting the needs of your herd. 
  • Where does creep feeding make sense in my system?
    • If resources are available, consider feeding Purina® Accuration® Creep feed to complement mother’s milk and available forage, while boosting calf gain prior to weaning. 

Bottom line: Feed the cows you have

Today’s cattle genetics offer incredible potential, but they require thoughtful, informed management to deliver results. Cow size can be a powerful advantage or a costly liability depending on how it’s supported.

“Bigger cows can absolutely work in a herd,” Belew says. “Whether you’re managing 50 cows or 500, the message is the same: feed strategically, stock appropriately and never assume one size fits all.”

Want to evaluate your herd’s nutritional plan or forage efficiency? Connect with your local Purina® Cattle representative or visit PurinaMills.com/cattlecare to learn more.

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