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Carrying Capacity of Thin Stands Dry weather and drought has made wheat stands sparse or non-existent on the high plains of the United States. Even on the irrigated farms, late planting of wheat following corn or milo has resulted in low vigor of the plants. If these wheat fields are to be pastured, they will need, (1) reduced stocking rates, or (2) supplemental feeding. Carrying capacity on lush stands also require reduced stocking loads or supplemental feeding as the forage is reduced from the grazing activity. Supplemental Feeding Practices
Supplemental feeding includes:
Home Mixed Rations One of the methods of supply-ing a ration to cattle on wheat pasture is to provide a modified feedlot grow or finish ration. When first introduced, the rations can be a low grain mixture like a starting ration. Later during the grazing period a higher content of grain is suggested to extend the wheat pasture's carrying capacity. Another benefit of this practice is to keep cattle gains maximized. Additionally, the ration can contain one of the ionophore feed additives to give extra gain. Also Aureomycin or Terramycin are often added for prevention of health problems. We suggest feeding under an electric fence rather than in feed-bunks or old tires. By feeding under the fence, the feeding area can be moved easier to prevent compaction of the soil. When it gets muddy, move to a new area. Storm Rations After a snow or ice storm, extra feeding is needed. When cattle are trained to have part of their daily feed from a ration, then after- a-storm feeding is a practical tactic. With the large equipment for plowing snow, it is now practical to emergency-feed compared to a few years ago. Rations from Feed Manufacturers Each feed manufacture or feed dealer has rations that are suggested for your area. Work with your feed supplier or nutritionist to customize the mix for your livestock. Controlling the feed intake with additions of salt and magnesium oxide is possible. An ionophore like Rumensin or Bovatec is usually included. Feeding Grain on Wheat Pasture Since thin stands need extra feed to increase carrying capacity, hand feeding grain everyday in bunks, or mixed with a small amount of silage, is an excellent tactic to consider. The wheat forage is already high in protein so low protein grains like corn or milo are an excellent choice for feeding on wheat. Feeding Extra Forage on Wheat Pasture Yes, this is a good tactic. We now recommend a high quality forage be used, such as excellent quality wheat hay or excellent quality forage sorghum hay. Corn or high grain milo silage are excellent choices to feed, but mixing the silage with wheat hay or sorghum hay is a better choice because of moisture in the silage. Free Choice Minerals The use of free choice minerals fed on wheat pasture is recommended. This is true for normal or thin stands. Salt is a must. Calcium is also important, as well as trace minerals. Phosphorus may be needed if the cattle are deficient when they arrive. Magnesium is added to many minerals to help prevent wheat pasture tetany. But an important part of adding free choice minerals to a wheat pasture program is the inclusion of the feed additives Rumensin or Bovatec to give extra gain, or Aureomycin (CTC) or Terramycin (OTC) for prevention of respiratory problems or footrot. Also Bloat Guard, a brand of poloxalene, can be added for bloat prevention. |
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