One factor that entered into the cattle complex this fall was rain and snow. “As a result, some producers chose to leave calves on grass with cows. They did better that way rather than in a feedlot with unfit conditions.” says Warren Rusche, beef feedlot management associate, South Dakota State University Extension. “At this point, producers have to make sure cattle are getting optimal nutrition. That starts with including enough high quality, nutrient-dense dry matter in the diet.” When it comes to nutrition, low soybean prices have cattle feeders considering the crop for protein supplementation. Rusche says feeding raw, whole soybeans is a viable option, but there are limitations.
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