Feed Forum

Photo submitted by a local producer to our feed department manager.  It's great to see how our local coop is reaching out to the next generation of producers!  It's about more than just making feed.

 

 

Cross That Finish Line

By Shannon Voegele, Nutritional Consultant

I don’t know about you but I’m sure ready for warmer temps!  For many spring-calving herds, this marks the start of the third trimester and a significant upward shift in nutrient requirements. Coincidentally, it’s also when most available forage resources are lowest in quality. This creates a significant gap between nutrient needs and nutrient delivery during the final stage of calf development.  According to Dr. Patrick Gunn at Purina Animal Nutrition, cows channel 30% of their energy to support fetal growth and development during the third trimester. The fetus needs more nutrients from its dam than the previous two trimesters to fuel the final development of its organs, skeleton, lungs, and immune system.  “The third trimester serves as the final sprint to the finish line – a time to dial in nutrition and not hold back,” says Gunn.  Give me a shout to discuss how CFC can get your cows ready to cross that finish line!   

1/26/2024

 

 

Poultry

By Tyler McCoy, Feed Department Manager

I know it doesn’t feel like it after the last couple of artic blasts that we have recently experienced, but Easter and hatching season will be here before we know it. As many customers are aware of our layer feed program, I wanted to remind customers that we also have diets for many other poultry species that you are feeding. Some of the species that we are currently feeding include layers, broilers, quail, turkey, chukers, and pheasant just to name a few. If location is an issue, we also have the availability to deliver bags to Springfield, Tyndall, Dimock, Viborg, and Canova if we have a demand. With the size of the territory that we serve, we will work with you to determine a pick-up/delivery method that works best for you. As always thanks for your business and please reach out if there is any way that our team can help.

1/19/2024

 

 

Preventing Bloat

By Brooke Brunsvig, Nutritional Consultant

Bloat has come up on my radar a bit since the weather decided to finally act like its wintertime and intakes have followed accordingly. Contrary to popular belief, there are a few factors that contribute to bloat, and not just feed; feed, the rumen microbial population, and the animal behavior/bunk management. It’s also important to remember there are two types of bloat: free-gas and frothy. Gassy bloat can be relieved by passing a tube through the esophagus, whereas frothy bloat (gas that gets stuck in bubbles) will need to be relieved by bloat treatment like mineral oil or liquid laundry detergent or in case of respiratory distress, a knife or trocar to the left side.

Feed factors include particle size and digestibility especially of alfalfa or ground corn, rapidly digestible feedstuff. You may need to increase the size of screen when grinding hay, or use cracked or whole corn. To slow digestibility and passage rate, watch for extremely loose and/or gray stools. If the diet is too dry, there is a risk of sorting the corn from forage and increasing risk of bloat as well. Once a calf has bloated, they often become chronic cases of bloat because the microbial population changes to support foam.

Lastly, bunk management is probably the biggest key to preventing bloat. Intake can easily get away from us during rapidly changing weather and at times with feeding CTC or Aureo, but their increased rate of intake may be causing bloat even with no time to sort. Saliva production is also reduced if cattle are crashing the bunk. Saliva helps buffer the rumen and destabilize foam/frothy bloat. Please, do your best to look at the bunk line multiple times per day, especially if only feeding once a day, we need to know how long they are empty to make appropriate feed calls. This is when we can notice sorting as well. BUT to be sure the cattle really need to move up in intake and its not just a temporary weather effect, make them clean up bunks to the same degree for 2-3 days in a row.  

1/5/2024

 

 

 

 

 

Are you thinking about creep feeding?
Call a Nutritional Consultant or Location Manager for pricing and availability today.


Keep our feedlot programs in mind once you wean your calves.
Call a Nutritional Consultant or Location Manager for details.


Central Farmers Cooperative is dedicated to serving our patrons.
Please call the location nearest you to find out how one of our professional staff members can help you.


 

 Feed Staff

Tyler McCoy
Department Manager
Cell: 605-421-0872

Brooke Brunsvig
Beef Consultant
Cell: 605-480-4147  

 

Shannon Voegele
Nutritional Consultant
Cell: 605-750-0207