How We're Managing Our Cattle's Nutritional Needs in Montana
As a rancher in Montana, dealing with the impact of drought on our pastures is a constant challenge. This summer, like many producers in Montana, we’ve had to adapt our strategies to ensure our cattle remain healthy and productive. Here’s how we’re managing the situation and supplementing our cattle’s diet during these tough times.
Supplemental Feeding and Minerals
With our Montana pastures suffering from the dry conditions, we’ve turned to supplemental feeding to meet our cattle's nutritional requirements. Given that drought-affected forages are often deficient in key nutrients, providing adequate energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals is crucial. Our approach involves a mix of strategies:Minerals: We’re ensuring that our cattle have access to a balanced mineral mix. Phosphorus supplementation is particularly critical right now. We use Triple 12 mineral which is a type of cattle mineral formulation that’s designed to meet specific nutritional needs during different stages of a cow’s life. It’s like a personalized vitamin boost for our herd.
Protein: Protein is another essential nutrient that’s often lacking in drought-affected pastures. This year we are satisfied with the amount of protein in our grass but in the past we have supplemented it when there is a lack of forage. We supplement our dry cows with 0.5 to 0.75 pounds of crude protein daily and our lactating cows with 0.9 to 1.2 pounds.
In addition to supplementation, we’re considering other strategies to manage our resources:
- Reducing Stocking Rates: To alleviate pressure on our pastures, we’ve considered selling a portion of the herd or moving yearlings directly to the feedlot.
- Using Crop Residues: We’re utilizing crop residues like small grain straw and corn stover to extend our feed supplies.
Fly Control: We’re also implementing back pouring techniques to help ward off biting flies, which can further stress our cattle during these challenging times.
Despite the challenges, our goal is to maintain herd productivity and keep our cattle in good condition. This includes planning for the long-term recovery of our Montana pastures and adjusting our practices to ensure that we’re prepared for future conditions.
Managing a ranch in Montana during a drought is never easy, but with strategic supplementation and thoughtful management practices, we’re working to navigate these tough conditions and support our herd’s needs. If you’re facing similar challenges or have questions about managing cattle in Montana, feel free to reach out.