As I look towards harvest, I wonder how good it can be with how good everything looks across the Five Star territory. I do know that producers will start silage chopping about three weeks ahead of last year. As we think about the quality and the moisture, I will always recommend that we look microbial inoculants for any feedstuff we store for winter and spring feeds. The product of choice I recommend is the Biomax line of bacteria bugs for ensiling the feedstuffs. For silages I would use the Biomax 5 product, which comes in a dry or liquid form.

The new feedlot products have been launched and are here. The products we currently stock in bulk at the mill in Nashua are the Steakmaker IM Balancer 26 RT for mixing with DDGS and Corn for cattle diets. We also have the Steakmaker IM Finisher 44 RT on hand in bags to be mixed on the farm. The IM Technology is the Intake Modifying Technology being introduced to the Land O Lakes line of feed from the Purina side. The research of this product has shown that cattle make more trips to the bunk with smaller meal sizes and in turn giving the rumen a chance to fully absorb the nutrients fully in a steady ruminal pH optimal performance for the cattle and for maximum return for the producer.

With the rains this late summer, we have adequate grass in most pastures. We still need to keep in mind that the cow’s milk is in a lag phase to the calf’s needs. This means the calf requires more than they can get from the milk and grass. So even with good grass, it will pay to creep feed the calves this late summer and put more pounds weaned per cow from the herd this year. So when you sell the calves, there is more money to be returned to the pocketbook. If you feed out the calves, there is proof that the extra weight gained at pasture time from creep feed is still there though the finishing stage.

To learn more about Biomax, IM technology , or Creep Feeding give me a call at 641-860-1177.
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