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Don’t set and forget self-fed supplements

Monday, August 7th, 2017

Self-Fed SupplementsBetter management of self-fed supplements could improve consumption and optimize performance.

Self-fed supplements are commonly used to deliver essential nutrients to cattle and to meet their nutritional requirements. However, use of a self-fed supplement does not translate to a self-managed supplementation program. Proper management of self-fed supplements is important to achieve desired intake and cattle performance goals.

One of the biggest challenges producers face with self-fed supplements is consumption,” says Christina Hayes, Ph.D., beef product manager with Purina Animal Nutrition. “When intake isn’t within the expected range, cattle performance may suffer. For optimal performance, management of self-fed supplements is essential.”

Many things can influence consumption, from forage quality and amount to supplement location and water availability. But you can take steps to help manage supplements and optimize intake.

The first step to becoming a better supplement manager begins with measuring intake.

 

Determining Consumption

“Calculating consumption can help you get a baseline intake for your herd, which you can then compare to target intake levels for the supplement,” says Hayes. “If your herd’s intake is below or above target intake levels, then you know it’s time to make adjustments.”

The following calculation can help you measure herd intake:

(Pounds of supplement distributed / # of cattle) / # days supplement was available

When making this calculation, don’t forget that calves will consume some supplement as well.

“If a supplement is not being consumed at target intake levels, it’s time to start troubleshooting,” says Hayes. “What is the forage quality? Where is the feeder located? Have there been weather challenges? What is the overall feeding program?”

If consumption is a challenge, there are strategies you can implement to help achieve the desired intake.

 

Managing Supplements

Implementing some simple strategies can go a long way toward ideal supplement consumption.

Here are a few tips:

  • Look for a high-quality supplement that includes protein, energy, calcium, phosphorus and trace minerals
  • It is best to start supplementing early to ensure cattle requirements are being met. If you wait too long to supplement and cows have to play nutritional catch-up, you may experience supplement overconsumption.
  • Initially, place supplements near a water source or in loafing or grazing areas. Cattle frequently visit those spots, giving them more opportunity to consume as they adjust to using the supplements. As the cattle become more comfortable with supplements, you can gradually move supplements further from those areas to entice them to graze underutilized pasture.
  • Ensure fresh, cool water is available, preferably in the shade during the warm, summer months. As temperature and humidity rise, cattle will require more water. Poor water quality, or lack of water, can cause cattle to go off feed quickly, which can limit feed intake and overall cattle performance.
  • Do not move a full bulk feeder. The feed may pack, which can compromise flow, especially if the feed is oily.
  • Clean feeder troughs regularly to remove any compromised product and help keep product fresh. When it rains, feed behind an adjustable gate can become wet, causing feed to swell, and preventing flow of fresh feed. Removing wet feed will also prevent mold and rot.
  • For supplements with Intake Modifying Technology, consumption will adjust with changes in forage quantity and quality. Expect higher consumption with lower quality/quantity forage and lower consumption with higher quality/quantity forage. Be aware that in times of lower quality/quantity forage, cattle may consume supplements rapidly.

Here are some general rules of thumb by self-fed product:

Wind & Rain Storm Mineral:

  • Put fresh, non-medicated mineral out once per week.
  • Use a covered mineral feeder to help protect the mineral.
  • Know if your mineral is complete or non-complete. Complete minerals include salt, which helps drive intake.

Accuration Block or Tub Supplement:

  • In contrast to a plastic tub, blocks have corrugated cardboard sides. Initially, in smaller pastures, more than one big block can be placed in a feeding location. When consumption is determined, then the blocks can be relocated or separated.
  • Cows per block is a function of block size and pasture size.
    • 500 lb. block: One block per 20 to 25 cows
    • 200 lb. block: One block per 10 to 15 cows

Accuration Liquid Supplement:

  • All storage tanks and lick tanks must be cleaned prior to adding liquid.
  • At the end of the feeding season, tip tanks on their sides so the remaining liquid will flow out from the wheel slot. This prevents the remaining liquid from gelling, separating or molding inside the tank and keeps rain water from entering the tank.
  • Accuration Liquid is a suspension product. Without agitation, it can become thicker over time, so it is important to move the liquid on a regular basis to maintain the free-flowing state. If forage quality is meeting cattle requirements and liquid intake is low, it is a good practice to more the lick wheels manually. That should be done weekly to keep the product from thickening in the tank.

 

Driving performance

No matter the product form, a self-fed supplement should not be approached with a “set it and forget it” strategy. “Small things like adjusting tub location and cleaning out a feeder can work together to help you achieve desired intake levels,” says Hayes. “And more desirable consumption can, potentially, lead to improved cattle performance.”

The extra time spent calculating supplement consumption and making adjustments may be well worth it.

 

Article Attributed to Purina Mills and Christina Hayes, Ph. D.

Get Ready For Hunting With Rio Gameloads

Monday, July 31st, 2017

Rio GameloadsJ&N Feed and Seed is your source for Rio Gameloads! Rio Game Load shot shells present an affordable choice for game and target shooting and we’ve got a great selection right here in Graham, Texas! Whether you’re looking for 12 gauge, 20 gauge or something different, we’ve got what you need this hunting season.

Rio Game Loads combine state of the art components and over 100 years of technical know-how to produce the perfect load for upland hunting applications. From the diminutive 2 1/2″ .410 to the hard hitting 3″ 12 gauge turkey load, Rio’s lead game line combines consistency and reliability in every shell, to bring unparalleled performance to the field.

12 Gauge Game Loads come in a wide range of choices – 1oz. to 1 3/4 oz payloads of game-stopping lead, in shot sizes 4, 5, 6, 7 1/2, 8 and 9. Rio game loads combine the company’s own high quality, proprietary components and a century of ammunition manufacturing expertise for a lethal combination of modern technology and old world experience.

Pick up your Rio Gameloads and all your hunting supplies at J&N Feed and Seed.

6 Ways To Get Deer To Your Feeder

Friday, July 21st, 2017

Get Deer To Your FeederThe age old question, how to get deer to your feeder?  Most deer are not used to seeing protein pellets. They must be trained to recognize them as food and to eat them out of a feeder. It is best to start a supplemental feeding program when typical food sources (farm crops, natural vegetation, new food plots or even acorns) are no longer in abundance, such as during winter or drought conditions.

Corn is extremely low in the nutrients necessary to grow big antlers. In addition, corn can founder and even kill deer if too much is consumed at one time. But when safely used in moderation, it is ideal for drawing deer to an area and training them to eat pellets.

Choose an area where traffic is good, and then follow these steps:

  1. Set up a spin feeder to throw out 1-2 pounds of corn every 6 hours, or spread it by hand using gloves or a scoop to limit human scent. This safe amount will attract them to the area you want to feed. Be sure to have at least one feeding in the middle of the night. Continue this until deer are consistently coming to the area to eat every day. This may take several weeks, depending on deer density, time of year and availability of other foods.
  2. Once deer are consistently coming to the area daily looking for corn, set up a free-choice feeder filled with corn. Hand-toss corn on the ground around the feeder. When you observe deer consistently eating out of the free-choice feeder, stop hand-tossing corn.
  3. Once deer are eating corn out of the feeder for at least one week, change the self-feeder mixture to 1/3 Deer Chow® and 2/3 corn for at least a week so the deer can get accustomed to eating pellets. Make sure they clean up the pellets before replacing the mix. If they refuse to clean up the pellets, mix in more corn with the pellets.
  4. After deer are cleaning up the pellets, change the mixture to ½ Deer Chow® and ½ corn for at least one week. If they continue to sort out the corn and leave the pellets, keep mixing corn in but gradually reduce the amount of corn until they have access to only pellets.
  5. If the deer are consistently cleaning up the mixture and don’t leave any pellets, put 25 to 50 pounds of straight Deer Chow® in the free-choice feeder. NEVER fill a feeder full of pellets the first time regardless of its size – you need to leave room to mix in a little corn in case the deer regress a bit and stop eating pellets. When they are consistently eating pellets from the self-feeder, you may fill it completely with Deer Chow®.
  6. Keep feeders clean. Remove old, wet or spoiled feed before refilling, as deer are very sensitive to odors, and damp or spoiled feed may prevent fresh feed from flowing down. Fresh feed will keep deer coming back.

Stop by J&N Feed & Seed for your deer corn and deer feed.  We sell quality deer feed from Purina Mills.  Looking for bulk feed and delivery, we can set you up. Give us a call today.

Summer Mineral Minute – Cattle Mineral Program

Saturday, July 15th, 2017

Mineral ProgramQuick and timely considerations for your mineral program.

  • If using a mineral form of fly control, consistent intake is key. Consider using Wind and Rain Storm Fly Control Mineral with Altosid (IGR) in either granular or tub form.
  • To help achieve consistent mineral intake, use enough mineral feeders for your herd size. A good rule is to use one feeder for every 20 to 30 head.
  • Make sure all cattle, including calves and timid cows, have equal access to feeders. Placing feeders in multiple locations helps provide all cattle the opportunity to consumer the mineral
  • Use water as a tool to adjust intake. If mineral intake is lower than desired, move feeders closer to water sources. If intake is higher than desired, move feeders further from the water.
  • As grasses start drying, antagonists can block absorption of minerals. If antagonists are a concern, consider using a mineral with Availa 4.
  • If you plan to use a mineral with chlortetracycline to control anaplasmosis, a VFD will be required.

Article Attributed to Purina Mills.

Treegator Slow Release Watering Bag

Wednesday, July 5th, 2017

treegator Keep your newly planted trees and shrubs hydrated with Treegator Slow Release Watering Bags. With the scorching summer temperatures here to stay, it’s important to water effectively to keep trees and shrubs hydrated.  J&N Feed and Seed proudly stock the Treegator® Original Slow Release Watering Bag.  Treegator delivers water directly to your plant for 100% absorption and no run-off. Pick up a couple of Treegators today and save your beautiful trees and shrubs from the Texas drought.

Treegator® Original Slow Release Watering Bag for Trees & Shrubs

  • Fill just 1 to 2 times per week for most new tree plantings.
  • Continuously waters for up to 9 hours via two release points.
  • Quick and easy to install – Just zip, fill, and walk away.
  • Provides 100% water absorption with no run-off or evaporation.
  • 5-Year limited manufacturer’s warranty.
  • Dimensions: Approx. 30″ tall x 18″ wide (at base) when filled

Control Cattle Parasites With VetGun

Monday, June 26th, 2017

VetGunJ&N Feed and Seed now carries the VetGun by Agrilabs,for cattle parasite control. The VetGun Insecticide Delivery System is a unique system for delivering insecticide-filled gel capsules (AiM-L VetCaps, sold separately) to control horn flies and lice on cattle. AiM-L VetCaps burst upon contact to deliver the insecticide. The VetGun is powered by CO2 and can be utilized from 15′ – 30′ away. Simply aim, shoot, and treat. It’s easy to operate, accurate, and reliable. Cattle are easily treated while milling around or feeding, without added stress or labor. Allows one person to easily apply insecticide from horseback, pickup, ATV, or while on foot. Saves time and puts you in control of when and where you treat your cattle.  It’s more efficient, plain and simple.

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Raindrip Automatic Watering System Kits

Wednesday, May 31st, 2017

Automatic Watering systemWith our Texas temperatures heating up, J&N Feed and Seed is working to find low volume watering products that will help conserve water and provide an effective way to keep your landscape alive.  We are now stocking  Raindrip Automatic Watering System kits.  These low volume, drip irrigation kits, are customized for different areas of your landscape and garden and can convert your sprinkler system to a drip irrigation system. Installing a drip irrigation system is simple.

Raindrip Automatic Watering Kits with Timer
The Raindrip Automatic Watering Systems are simple to use drip watering kit that waters flowers, shrubs, and trees in your landscape areas (not for lawn use). They’re water efficient, simple to install and most* include a battery-operated timer so you can set your system to water automatically. Click here to read more about Raindrip Watering Kits.

Expand & Customize

Water up to 75 plants at once with Raindrip add-on products.

It’s easy to customize or expand your system. You can add additional tubing, feeder lines and fittings to fit your system to your landscape.

Pick up a kit today at J&N Feed and Seed.

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Three Things to Look for in Cattle Mineral

Tuesday, May 2nd, 2017

Whether you buy a cattle mineral off the shelf at a retail store, walk into your local dealer and request their ‘standard’ mineral or work closely with your nutritionist to select a mineral supplement for your herd, sorting through the various mineral types can sometimes be a daunting task.

It may even be a purchase decision that’s so complex you simply cling to the generic or most popular cattle mineral available in your area.

But, the generic or popular option may not be the best choice for your herd’s mineral requirements. If you’re not feeding a quality supplemental mineral, you may see the consequences of mineral deficiencies later in the form of decreased calf weaning weights, small or weak calves, decreased milk production, reduced or delayed conception and even poor immunity.

Not all cattle minerals are created equal, and it’s important to recognize the differences in minerals that are out there. Even though mineral nutrition is complicated, you can easily evaluate or ask questions about a few different elements of a mineral supplement.

Here are three things to look for in your cattle mineral:

1. Balanced cattle mineral nutrition
A complete mineral should contain the proper balance and ratios of all 14 essential cattle minerals. Those minerals include: calcium, copper, cobalt, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium, sulphur and zinc.

A proper zinc-to-copper ratio is one of the biggest considerations when choosing a mineral, with a ratio of 3-to-1 being preferable. Zinc and copper are commonly deficient microminerals in cattle, and the ratio is critical because of how closely zinc and copper absorption are tied.1

2. Large particle size ingredients and rain protection
Rain and other elements can quite literally wash a mineral investment down the drain, or can alternately turn your mineral into a brick-type substance which cattle often refuse to eat.

A weatherized mineral should not just be water-resistant, it should be wind-resistant as well. You don’t want the particles to be so small that the wind picks them up and blows them away. A weatherized mineral that includes a larger particle can remedy this problem.

The biggest drawback of a non-weather resistant mineral is that cattle just aren’t going to consume it. Daily mineral needs to be consumed, and if you’re not seeing consumption because the mineral has been turned into a hard block or because the particles are being blown away, then your investment is a loss.

3. Organic, bioavailable mineral sources
Another important aspect when choosing a mineral is to make sure it has bioavailable mineral sources. The bioavailability of a mineral source alters the absorptive ability of the trace minerals eliciting their full benefit.

Mineral sources that are more bioavailable may be a bit more costly, but they can be a good fit for herds with marginal trace mineral status, consistent reproduction issues, overall herd health problems, foot problems or in areas with forage or water issues.

Some key trace minerals that you might look to for bioavailability would be zinc, manganese, copper and cobalt. These minerals are required for a variety of functions including, but not limited to, immunity, reproduction, growth and fiber digestion.

Watch the video below to see the difference between Wind and Rain® Storm® cattle mineral and a non-weatherized version.

cattle mineral

Ted Perry

– Purina Animal Nutrition, Lead Nutritionist, Beef Technical Solutions

Horn Flies: the $1 Billion Bite at Cattle Profits

Monday, April 10th, 2017

Can you imagine being bit 120,000 times per day? It might be hard to imagine what this feels like, however during peak timeframes, as many as 4,000 horn flies can call a cow’s hide home.horn flies

At 30 blood meals per day, that adds up to 120,000 bites per cow. Not only are these bites irritating your cows, but with production losses for the U.S. cattle industry are estimated at up to $1 billion annually, they’re also biting away at your profits.

High horn fly populations can cause blood loss and increased cattle stress or annoyance. Annoyance can cause cattle to use their energy to combat flies, change their grazing patterns and cause cattle grouping. Ultimately, it can lead to decreases in milk production, causing a reduction in calf weaning weights.

From ear tags and pour-on to mineral or feed supplements with fly control, there are a lot of different ways to manage flies and each solution has a place in the industry.

But, the best places to start is by breaking the horn fly life cycle in the manure.

Making manure magic
One of the most convenient and consistent ways to control horn flies in cattle is giving them a mineral supplement that contains an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR). An IGR passes through the animal and into the manure, where horn flies lay their eggs. It breaks the horn fly life cycle by preventing pupae from developing into biting adult flies.

Using mineral supplements with an IGR can help reduce expenses, labor, and stress on your cattle that other methods can cause. Cattle don’t need to be rounded up or handled since IGR is consumed by the animal and fly control is spread through its manure as it grazes.

It also provides consistency, as cattle are regularly consuming IGR through their mineral.

In like a lion, out like a lamb
Fly control mineral should be fed 30 days before the last frost of spring, before fly emergence. This 30-day window at the beginning of spring is critical because temperatures can fluctuate to levels that cause flies to emerge. Once those flies are present, you want to have fly control in the manure.

While heavy emphasis is placed on controlling flies in spring and summer, it’s important to finish strong in the fall. Horn flies overwinter in the pupal stage, which can jump-start adult populations in the spring. Using fly control mineral longer in the fall decreases the opportunity for flies to overwinter in the soil and reduces large fly populations the following spring.

Mineral should continue being fed through summer and 30 days after the last frost in the fall.

Don’t let it wash away
There are many forms of fly control mineral available, but it’s important to choose one that can stand up to the unpredictable weather that spring brings. Rain and other elements can quite literally wash your mineral investment down the drain, or turn your mineral into a brick-type substance which cattle often refuse to eat.

Look for a fly control mineral that can withstand the weather. A weatherized mineral should have a large particle size and adequate water and wind resistance.

Using a fly control mineral this spring can help keep fly populations down, but only if cattle are consuming it. If you’re not seeing consumption because the mineral has been turned into a hard block or because the particles are being blown away, then your investment is a loss.

 

Ted Perry

– Purina Animal Nutrition, Lead Nutritionist, Beef Technical Solutions

Quality Fish Feed For Your Pond

Thursday, March 30th, 2017

fish feedDid you know J&N Feed and Seed sells a wide selection of fish feed? If you have a pond with fish in it, you need to come see us.  We proudly stock fish feeds from Purina and Mazuri.  Whether your feeding koi in a backyard pond, or feeding for sport, we have the selection of fish feeds to suit your needs. Stop in at J&N for your pond or lake stock. Our experts will answer any questions you have about managing your pond or lake to provide a thriving environment for your fish.

Feeds for smaller ponds:

Mazuri Koi Platinum Bits & Nuggets – A floating diet designed for koi in ponds, tanks and aquariums. Mazuri Koi Platinum diets are formulated to provide complete nutrition in one product. Special ingredients have been added to provide pigmentation.

Mazuri Koi Pond Nuggets – A floating diet designed for koi in ponds. Mazuri Koi Pond Nuggets are formulated to provide complete nutrition in one product. Ingredients have been added to provide pigmentation that will be satisfactory under most circumstances for koi raised in ponds.

Feeds for  larger ponds we stock

AquaMax Sport Fish MVP – A multi-variable particle product with nine different sized extruded nuggets designed with both Sinking and Floating action. New MVP helps expand the feeding trough vertically to feed a greater percentage of different sized fish in your pond helping smaller fish grow.  Formulated to be 100% nutritionally complete and developed by professional nutritionists and fish experts it just might be the most valuable pellet you will ever feed your fish.

Purina AquaMax Sportfish 500 – Formulated as an easily-digestible, high-energy, nutrient-dense diet with excellent conversion rates, Sport Fish 500 has high feed efficiency and rate of gain and is designed to stimulate aggressive feeding behavior. AquaMax® Sport Fish 500 is a floating product in a in a 3/16″ extruded pellet.

Purina Gamefish Chow – Complete and balanced 32%- protein, extruded, multi-particle size product designed to be fed to a wide variety of fish species and wide range of sizes of fish. Purina® Game Fish Chow® feed is rich in nutrients essential for optimal fish growth, reproduction and overall health. It works naturally with everyday food sources in your water to address poor nutrition, which is the most significant limiting factor in the size and health of forage fish.

Purina Catfish 32 – A floating fish feed that is comprised of high-quality ingredients and nutrient levels designed to maximize efficient production of all types of catfish.  When combined with proper management practices, Purina® Catfish 32 is formulated to support the growth of large, healthy catfish.

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