Common Mistakes Farmers Make When Selecting Hay & How to Avoid Them
Overview: Learn common mistakes farmers make when selecting hay and how to avoid them. Choose better forage to protect livestock health and feed efficiency! Selecting hay might seem simple at first glance, but experienced ranchers know it’s one of the most important decisions in a feeding program. The right hay supports livestock health, protects body […]
How to Choose the Best Hay for Your Livestock in Laramie County
Overview: Learn how to choose the best hay for livestock in Laramie County. Match hay type to season, herd needs, and performance goals! Choosing hay in Laramie County isn’t just about finding what’s available but about finding what fits your livestock, your land, and your season. Not all hay is created equal, and what works […]
Body Condition Scoring: Why It Matters Before Calving Season
Overview: As calving season approaches in Wyoming, preparation becomes more focused. Equipment gets checked. Feeding plans are tightened up. Pastures are evaluated. But one of the most important tools a rancher has going into calving isn’t found in the barn — it’s found in observation. Body Condition Scoring (BCS) is one of the simplest and […]
Winter Feeding Mistakes That Hurt Spring Livestock Performance
Overview: Winter feeding mistakes impact spring livestock performance. Learn which feeding errors cost condition, gains, and herd health and how to avoid them! Winter feeding decisions don’t stay in winter. They show up months later in poor body condition, slow gains, weak calves, and higher feed costs than expected. In Wyoming, the way cattle are […]
Invasive Weeds: The Silent Spring Forage Quality
Overview: Invasive weeds quietly reduce spring forage quality. Learn how they spread, what signs to watch for, and how to protect pasture performance! Spring pasture growth doesn’t fail overnight. More often, it slips quietly backward; thinner stands, lower-quality forage, uneven grazing, and less weight gain than expected. One of the biggest reasons ranchers see this […]
Fertilizer Planning 101: How to Avoid Over or Under-Applying
Overview: Learn how to plan fertilizer applications the right way. Avoid over- or under-applying and support healthier pastures with smart, balanced decisions! Fertilizer can be one of the most valuable tools on a ranch, or one of the most expensive mistakes. Applied correctly, it supports stronger forage, healthier pastures, and more efficient grazing. Applied incorrectly, […]
Why Cattle Eat More Hay During Cold Weather
Overview: Cold weather increases cattle energy needs. Learn why hay intake rises in winter and how to plan feeding strategies that protect herd condition! Every winter, ranchers across Wyoming notice the same thing — the hay stack shrinks faster as temperatures drop. It’s not waste, and it’s not bad management. It’s biology. Cold weather changes how cattle […]
Why Water Access Matters More Than Feed in Laramie County’s Winter
Overview: In Laramie County winters, water access drives feed intake. Learn why frozen tanks and wind chill matter more than hay quality alone! When winter tightens its grip on Laramie County, most ranchers think first about feed. Hay stacks get measured. Rations get adjusted. Protein and energy are carefully planned. But there’s one piece of […]
What Winter Reveals About Your Pasture’s Health
Overview: Winter reveals the truth about pasture health. Learn how bare ground, residue, and weeds expose issues that affect spring grazing success! Winter has a way of telling the truth. When the grass goes dormant and snow settles in, pastures stop hiding their weaknesses. What looked productive in summer often tells a very different story […]
How Fast Should Your Hay Stack Shrink in January?
Overview: Learn how fast your hay stack should shrink in January. Understand winter intake, weather impacts, and feeding strategies to avoid running short! January is when winter feeding stops being theoretical and becomes very real. The holidays are over, the cold has settled in, and the hay stack you built in fall is now your […]