Friday on the Farm

freshly cut hay

Freshly cut hay rests to dry and cure for baling. We spend four months cutting, raking, and baling hay. Hay is used to feed our cattle throughout the winter. We bale over 300 round bales of hay for forage for our cows and feeder calves. 1800 small square bales of hay are baled to feed expecting cows in the spring during calving season.

 

 

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Friday on the Farm

a walk in the country

Late afternoon, I enjoyed a walk to the pasture. The colors of the countryside are amazingly beautiful! The yellow, purple, and green were brilliant with the falling sun. It made my heart smile. The colors of nature...I love simple pleasures like this.

 

 

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Friday on the Farm

emerged soybean plant at ve (emergence) stage

Rain showers have fallen down on the fields. We are thankful for the rain! Soybeans are growing very well, and we are pleased. After walking through the fields late yesterday afternoon, soybeans are at the V2 stage. The soybeans have their second trifoliate.

 

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Beet Pulp

beet pulp shreds

For fun, I bought beet pulp shreds to feed. We have never fed beet pulp to our cattle, so I thought it would be interesting to try. Since it is dry at 15% moisture, I soak the beet pulp in water to be more palatable. Beet pulp is a highly digestible source of fiber, and is low in protein best used as a supplement. I feed the beet pulp with gluten. 

Breeding Soundness Exam

paperwork from the breeding soundness exam

 

Before turning our bulls out to pasture for the breeding season, we performed a Breeding Soundness Exam [BSE]. An exam is extremely valuable for the productivity of our beef cattle herds. It was especially important to examine our herd bulls after a brutally frigid winter. We wanted to be sure that the bulls were producing viable semen for breeding. A Breeding Soundness Exam [BSE] ensures us that each bull is able to successfully breed cows. There is no better insurance than knowing bulls are able to breed. Bulls do represent 50% of the calf crop! And, a Breeding Soundness Exam cost us $50 per bull. That is money very well spent! The exam is an important tool for cattlemen to utilize.

 

Dr Baird visited our farm to examine each bull. Semen samples were collected from the bulls and evaluated under the microscope for sperm concentration and motility. Five bulls were evaluated and determined satisfactory for breeding. The bulls were also evaluated for Scrotal Circumference and measured 37-42 cm. Each bull exceeded the recommendation for their age. This measurement is taken assess the amount of semen bulls produce. Scrotal Circumference correlates to the production of semen. Bulls breed cows several times in a heat period and need to regenerate semen.

 

 

 

 

I have been very pleased with my 2013 bull that I have been raising for breeding. MJS Dirt Road Anthem 3M80 had a Scrotal Circumference of 38, and a pelvic measurement of 13x16. We were quite impressed! His measurements are excellent for a 14 month old calf!

 

A large pelvic measurement is an important genetic trait that correlates to the ease of calving. The pelvic measurement of the sire influences the pelvic measurement of his offspring. A bull with a large pelvic area should result in a larger pelvic area in his heifers.

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Friday on the Farm

germinating soybean

it is amazing how something so small can be full of hope

A row of soybeans was uncovered in a field to check germination. The soybeans were germinating and close to emerging through the soil. After planting, each soybean field is observed for germination.