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July 5, 2016 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

1 Secret for a Great Beef Diet

How often have you heard that you need to feed your beef cows a high-quality diet? Probably quite often. But there’s a misconception in the agriculture world: you don’t need to feed your beef herds the same quality diet as you would a dairy herd.

A lot of beef ranchers swear by feeding their herd alfalfa; however, alfalfa can create a few problems for your herd and its overall health.

Beef cattle need protein, but not nearly as much as dairy cows do. For beef cows, it’s recommended you feed them a diet that’s 11-12% protein. The problem with alfalfa is that it’s incredibly high in protein. Alfalfa hay that’s too rich can cause health problems for young calves who are still drinking momma’s alfalfa-rich milk.

Grass hay is a great way to ensure that your beef herd gets the protein it needs – but not too much. However, if you buy alfalfa hay for other reasons than just your beef herd, then it’s recommended that you supplement your dry pastures with second-cut alfalfa, on an every-other-day basis.

Ensuring the health of your beef herd isn’t the easiest task in ranching, but it’s definitely one of the most important. If you have any questions, or need equipment to help feed your herd, don’t hesitate to call us here at [practice_name] today. Our number is [phone].
June 17, 2016 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

Pasteurized vs. Raw Milk

Ever since the 1930s, commercially sold milk has been pasteurized in order to increase shelf life, making it much easier to sell on a large scale for dairy farmers.

However, there’s always been a debate as to whether or not pasteurized milk is as good for you as raw milk. After all, our ancestors drank raw milk. If it was good enough for them, why isn’t it good enough for us now?

Let’s take a look at the differences between pasteurized and raw milk.

Pasteurized Milk

According to the Food and Drug Administration, raw milk contains dangerous bacteria such as E.coli, Listeria, and Salmonella. These are known to cause serious diseases, however as was mentioned previously, up until the 1900s, people drank unpasteurized milk frequently. Granted, their immune systems were different than ours today, but this still begs the question on whether or not pasteurization is necessary.

Raw Milk

According to raw milk proponents, the pasteurization process destroys almost all the nutritious value in cow’s milk. The beneficial bacteria, natural enzymes, and calcium in cow’s milk are all affected during the pasteurization process, making it less effective than it would be if consumed raw.

There’s a lot of research available on this subject, and you undoubtedly have your own opinion on the matter. If you have any questions about pasteurization, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [phone].
June 1, 2016 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

The Best Beef Diet

Do you need help raising cattle that produces higher-quality beef? Well, you’ve come to the right place. We have more than enough tips and expertise (not to mention equipment) to help you raise award-winning beef.

Pasture feeding

This is the best way to feed your cattle. Anything in the pasture (think silage and hay) is the most natural part of a cow’s diet, and therefore will produce the best-tasting natural beef. With the demand for organic, grown-behind-the-restaurant, hormone-free beef, pasture feeding all your cows is a great way to raise a healthy herd and get top dollar for them come slaughter.

Legume hay

This is another must-have for your herd. The properly grown and cut hay has a ton of protein – and legume hay contains more protein than grass hay. A good example of legume hay would be alfalfa. However, it’s more expensive than pasture feeding your herd. But if your goal is to raise beef with the highest possible ROI, hay might be your best bet.

Now, with hay, it’s important to note the following – do not feed dairy-quality alfalfa hay to your beef cattle. This type of hay is far too rich for what beef cattle need, and it’s almost the most expensive hay you can buy. And when you’re raising beef to sell at market, you want to keep costs as low as possible.

Raising a healthy, cost-effective beef herd isn’t the easiest thing to do, but it’s in your blood and you do it because the range is a better office than a cubicle. We understand that, and we’re here to help. If you have any questions, about either equipment or beef diet, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.
May 25, 2016 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

What to Know About Goat’s Milk

Goat’s milk is becoming an increasingly popular part of modern-day diets. But is it healthy? And what makes it so different from cow’s milk?

Goat’s milk is actually the closest in structure for human milk than anything else in the animal kingdom. This means it’s easier for humans to digest – and even works against milk allergies. According to a recent study, 93% of infants who were allergic to cow’s milk were able to drink goat’s milk without any problems.

Goat’s milk is also a bit healthier than cow’s milk, because it contains less lactose, or milk sugars.

So yes, goat’s milk is definitely a healthy option, and if you’re allergic to cow’s milk, it might be a great alternative to supplement your diet.

However, goat’s milk does have an unusual taste. Certain breeds of goats produce milk that isn’t the best-tasting. And, since goats are smaller animals than cows, they produce less milk. If you’re thinking about getting goats to have your own source of milk, instead of trying to find it for sale at an organic food store, you’ll need to make sure you get enough goats to meet your milk needs. You’ll also want to try milk from several different breeds of goats to find the one you like best.

If you’re interested in owning goats to have your own milk, you can contact us here at [practice_name] and we’ll get you set up with the equipment you need to safely raise your goats.
May 15, 2016 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

The Winning Diet of A Show-Worthy Sheep

Raising sheep that are show-worthy isn’t the easiest task. It requires special attention to the sheep that you think can make it big on the show circuit.

Luckily, we have a few tips (and more than enough equipment) to help you raise show-worthy sheep. Let’s take a look at a few basic tips for raising show-worthy sheep.

Energy is important
A big part of a winning sheep’s diet is high-energy food sources. Things like carbohydrates, fat, and excess protein in your sheep’s diet will give it more energy, which helps you raise the best-looking, award-winning sheep.

Protein
This is frequently the most expensive part of a sheep’s diet, but if you want to win any of the livestock sheep shows, you’ll need to make sure your sheep get the protein they need. The most common protein supplement for sheep is soybean meal. Our feeders here at [practice_name] are protected from rain and have a 36-inch long trough. It can hold 300 pounds’ worth of grains to feed your sheep.

Salt
Another important aspect of a show-winning sheep’s diet is salt. Salt is an important mineral for regulating the functions in the bodies of sheep, and help maintain the sheep’s skeleton. Low salt totals can result in rickets or a delicate skeleton. Neither of those issues will provide you a show-winning sheep.

Raising a show-winning sheep takes hard work, but with the help of your products here at [practice_name] we’ll help you raise the wining sheep you want.
April 27, 2016 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

Should You Raise Goats?

Are you trying to become more self-sufficient? For many people, a major part of the American dream involves being able to provide for those you love without need of outside assistance. If this is your ream raising livestock may help you reach it.

If you’re interested in raising livestock, goats may be a good place to start. They provide meat and milk that can help us sustain an independent life style. In fact, did you know that a female got, on average, can produce about 900 quarts of milk a year? However, if you are interested in raising goats for milk, there are a few things you should know. For instance, in order to have a productive milk farm, your goats will need to breed consistently.

You can also raise goats for their meat, though some breeds produce better meat than others. However, raising meat goats tends to be easier than raising dairy goats. Still, you plan on goats for meat, you’ll need to be aware that they will need to eat constantly if you’re hoping to have the highest profit.

If you are considering raising any type of goat and have any questions, please feel free to call [practice_name] at [phone]. Our knowledgeable team will be glad to address your concerns and answer your questions. We look forward to your call.
April 12, 2016 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

Your Healthy Herd

Whether you have one cow or two hundred, you want to keep them healthy and happy. By doing so, you can enjoy high quality milk and meat when the time comes-but what can you do to keep your herd healthy?

The first thing you need to worry about is nutrition. Remember, you will not get quality goods from you cattle if you don’t care for their nutrition. If you’re worried about malnutrition, we recommend testing your soil and feed to see exactly what minerals and proteins your herd is getting. If you find a deficiency, adding salt mixes—either orally or by injection—will help. Also, separate your heifers from older cows, especially during the winter. Because heifers are still growing, they need the extra nutrition doing so can provide.

Also, please establish and follow a regular schedule for vaccines. Many think that producing natural, organic meat means avoiding vaccines, but this is inaccurate. In fact, vaccines help to eliminate a need for antibiotics which, some claim, could taint the meat. Also, vaccines can help stave off diseases that could damage your herd.

If you have any other question please give [practice_name] a call at [phone]. We’ll be glad to answer any questions you have.
March 31, 2016 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

How to Keep Your Herd Healthy

Whether you have one cow or two hundred, you want to keep them healthy and happy. By doing so, you can enjoy high quality milk and meat when the time comes–but what can you do to keep your herd healthy?

The first thing you need to worry about is nutrition. Remember, you will not get quality goods from your cattle if you don’t care for their nutrition. If you’re worried about malnutrition, we recommend testing your soil and feed to see exactly what minerals and proteins your herd is getting. If you find a deficiency, adding salt mixes—either orally or by injection—will help. Also, separate your heifers from older cows, especially during the winter. Because heifers are still growing, they need the extra nutrition doing so can provide.

Also, please establish and follow a regular schedule for vaccines. Many think that producing natural, organic meat means avoiding vaccines, but this is inaccurate. In fact, vaccines help to eliminate a need for antibiotics which, some claim, could taint the meat. Also, vaccines can help stave off diseases that could damage your herd.

If you have any other question, please give [practice_name] a call at [phone]. We’ll be glad to answer any questions you have.
March 18, 2016 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

Raising Goats in Summer

If you’re considering raising an animal, goats are generally a good choice. Most farm animals, such as cows, chickens, sheep, or turkeys, are useful but few are as versatile as goats. As you probably know, goats can be used to produce milk, cheese, cashmere, meat, and can even be used as a pack animal.

However, if you intend to raise goats, there are a few important things you should understand. For instance, did you know that your goats will require specialized care during summer months. You see, goats are very vulnerable to heat stroke, which can affect their performance. In other words, if your goats are subject to heat stroke, their reproduction, dairy, and meat quality could suffer.

Goats are typically warmer than humans, usually having a temperature between 101.5 and 105. Still, we recommend cooling your goats on a hot day. You can do so by spraying our animal with a hose, though we recommend starting at the legs. You should also make sure your goats have sufficient shelter. This means you should have something with shade and good air flow. Typically, a tree or barn will work well.

Finally, you should know how to recognize the signs of dehydration, which can quickly lead to heat stroke. The first thing you can watch for is your animal’s breathing. Goats don’t sweat, however if they are breathing hard, they may be in danger.  Similarly, you should be able to pinch your goats skin. If the skin is slow to return to its original position, your animal could be dehydrated.

If you’re interested in learning more, please contact [practice_name] at [phone]. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
February 26, 2016 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

Caring for Cattle in the Winter

Are you considering raising cattle? If so, do you know what you’ll do to care for your animals? For instance, did you know that you’ll have to make different preparations for your animals depending on the time of year and the weather. While this may seem obvious, do you know what preparations you’ll have to make during the seasons–particularly during winter? Unfortunately, winter is typically the hardest season for animals. To keep your cattle safe and healthy during the winter months, we recommend following a few simple steps.

Of course, the first thing you should know is that you should start preparing your animals for winter well before the cold season begins. It’s important to keep your animals healthy and strong before winter starts. However, there are also a few other things you should do. For example, please remember to provide a shelter that can offer your cows some safety. If you use a structure, you’ll need to provide clean bedding.

Similarly, you’ll need to provide food and water to your cow. Melted snow could help your cow meet some of their needs, but they’ll need a today of 14 gallons every day. Also, warmer water is easier for your cow to digest. Similarly, during the winter, your cattle will need more nutrients. You may want to try a combination of protein, vitamins, and minerals. You may want to consider supplements to meet your cattle’s needs–even if you have to adjust your normal feed schedule.

If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to contact [practice_name] at [phone]. We’re eager to hear from you soon!

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