Best Way to Raise Beef with Forages by Dr. Kelly Sanders

Cattle producers are continuously seeking better ways to do things, and this is why the cattle industry has continued to raise high quality beef to feed the world. At Westway Feed Products we believe the best way to raise beef is to supplement cattle with high quality, molasses-based liquid supplements to help meet the nutritional needs of beef cattle. Liquid supplement solutions, fed in lick wheel tanks, open top tanks or in total mixed rations, provide producers with efficient, convenient, and sustainable alternatives to supplement cattle on pasture.

A cow’s nutrient requirements, as well as forage quality and quantity are constantly changing every month. After a cow becomes pregnant her nutrient requirement slowly increases every month and accelerates the last 90 days when calf growth is the greatest. Depending on the season, forage quality and quantity are often decreasing which increases the nutrient deficiency. Molasses-based liquid supplements can complement grass (and other forages) while enhancing the utilization of each pound of grass/forage consumed. Research has shown that molasses-based supplement helps digest more grass and increases the energy and protein supply to the animal. Cattle become more efficient with the same amount of grass. Molasses based liquid solutions can provide real flexibility because they are effective when there is plenty of rain or when there are drought conditions. Grass that is grazed during drought conditions can be a year old or has been grazed previously. It is necessary in these situations to get the most out of the grass.

When using liquid supplements, a beef producer gains labor efficiency as well. Liquid feed can generally be delivered to cattle every 7-10 days versus feeding daily or every other day like other feeding methods. In today’s market, labor is expensive and hard to come by. Delivering liquid supplements less frequently can save time, labor expense, vehicle expense, and allow workers to perform other necessary ranch chores. It is also convenient because cattle have daily access to supplements to meet their nutrient deficiencies more successfully. The real pay-off is heavier and more calves at weaning time. That is the real sustainability story! Producers are making more beef with the same resources. Sustainability becomes more important each day in production agriculture. Being able to do more with the same or less resources and stay profitable for today’s generation as well as the next is paramount.

Molasses-based liquid solutions are the “Best Way to Raise Beef” today by providing an effective supplementation program by increasing the efficiency of a ranch’s greatest assets. It conveniently and effectively meets the nutritional demands of beef cattle and enhances the sustainability of producers during good times or during the challenging times of droughts.