PLANNING FOR THEIR FUTURE

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1 GOING TO GRASS GUIDE PLANNING FOR THEIR FUTURE helps ensure yours Salt Mineral Fencing Supplies Health Products Feeders Good Management UFA.com/Grass UFA.com

2 PROPER MANAGEMENT begins at home While the idiom says the grass is always greener on the other side... reality says good management makes the difference. You can t control the weather, but you can use planning, best practices and production tools to make the best of whatever lies before you or your livestock. Proper vaccinations, maximizing pastures and meeting nutritional requirements are all parts of best laid plans. At UFA we re here to assist you with your livestock plans. Call one of our UFA Livestock Customer Account Managers (CAM) today. ii UFA Going to Grass Guide 2017

3 SAVE $ 175 * NUTRITION ALL CREEP FEEDERS , , Offer valid April 1 - June 30, 2017 CREEP FEEDING increases production odds Creep feeding calves on pasture pencils out during most growing seasons. Under adverse conditions, it becomes increasingly important to incorporate a supplement feed to maintain an economic return in increased pounds of beef weaned. Western Canadian studies over five recent grazing seasons showed that creep feeding calves on pasture provided an economic return four out of the five years, says Peter Vitti a leading Western Canadian livestock nutritionist. In 2015, there was a 142 per cent return on investment among calves on creep feed, versus those that weren t. Using industry averages, Vitti pencilled out a scenario that showed a net return of $25 per calf on creep feed. That adds-up even with a small herd! In average conditions across the province, calves should be growing at a rate of between 1.75 and 2.75 pounds per day between birth and weaning, depending on the forage grazed and the management, according to Andrea Hanson a Beef Extension Specialist with Alberta Agriculture. As the season progresses, calves eat more forage to meet their increasing nutrient requirements, yet at the same time the dam s milk producing capacity begins to decline about two months after birth. If forage quality or quantity also begins to decline for any reason, calf rate of gain will suffer. A creep feed with 13 per cent protein is a good choice during a dry growing season. Later in the year, as quality is affected; you may want to consider a creep feed with 16 per cent protein. For any of your range and pasture questions contact your local UFA Customer Account Manager (CAM). UFA.com/Contact 2017 UFA Going to Grass Guide 1

4 SAVE 20 % EQUIPMENT GALLAGHER RING TOP POSTS Offer valid May 1 - June 15, 2017 MOVEABLE CROSS-FENCING increases efficiencies With modern technology and materials for electric fencing systems, converting open pastures to a rotational grazing system isn t a huge investment. However, doing so makes it possible to harvest more pounds of beef per acre. In situations where fields already have permanent perimeter fencing, a simple onewire cross-fencing system can significantly increase the efficiency of forage crops and increase weight gains on cattle, says Garth Hein with Gallagher Fencing am.gallagher.com While costs can vary widely depending on the size and complexity of the rotational grazing system, he says even $600 can get you started with cross-fencing materials, including portable (moveable) fence posts and quality poly wire or braid. Today s solar powered batteries even allow you to set up self-contained electrified fencing systems anywhere. The strategy behind an intensive grazing system is to develop a planned grazing/rest rotation with multiple paddocks, allowing grass to adequately regrow. This system keeps fresh, high-nutrient value forage in front of your cattle throughout the growing season on a normal year. The key, says Garth is not to overgraze forages in any of the paddocks. These simple, cost-effective systems not only allow for more efficient use of summer pasture, they also allow for the pastures to be used year-round. Our CAMs would be happy to help set up a system and develop a plan to maximize your operation. 2 UFA Going to Grass Guide 2017

5 SAVE $ 25 /BAG FORAGE PICKSEED NON-BLOAT LEGUMES Sainfoin 25KG AC Oxley II Cicer Milkvetch 25KG Offer valid May 1 - June 15, 2017 DEFLATING BLOAT risk on pasture Some research shows a 10 per cent increase in animal grazing days utilizing legumes, which translates into roughly a 20 per cent increase in grazing profitability. Grant Lastiwka, a livestock and forage specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, says with proper livestock management, bloat risk can be minimized. Some key points to remember when grazing legumes: It takes more than a week so check them often for an animal s rumen to fully adjust to new feed sources. If coming off a winter feed ration, or pasturing on last year s stockpiled grass, make sure they have a full gut before turning them into a spring legume grass stand. Wait until the dew is off or rain has stopped. A mixed stand of a legume and non-bloat grasses provides cattle with grazing choices and reduces the risk of bloat. But even a stand with one-third legumes can present some risks. Some cattle are genetically predisposed to bloat. Aside from alfalfa, other legumes such as alsike, red and white clovers can be just as, if not more, risky. The newest, most tender growth of legumes present the most risk of causing bloat. Mature legume stands have reduced bloat risk, but be careful about grazing any growth-stage legume immediately after a frost it will cause risk to spike. While legumes can present a bloat risk in cattle, the production benefits and profitability outweigh the hazards of these high-quality forages, provided they are properly managed UFA Going to Grass Guide 3

6 NO IFS ANDS OR BUTTS ABOUT PROPER INJECTION TECHNIQUES SAVE 10 % ALL DETECTABLE NEEDLES NDL DET 16GA 5/8 100PK Offer valid May 1 - June 15, 2017 LIVESTOCK HEALTH Administering vaccination products into the rump or hip area of cattle used to be a habit of most producers, along with the convenience when lined up in a chute. But the overwhelming beef industry recommendation, for the sake of the animal as well as to protect meat quality, is to inject animals in the neck area behind the ear, in front of the shoulder. It takes a bit more planning and time to properly administer either intramuscular or subcutaneous neck injections. This practice doesn t damage the higher quality cuts of meat, and more importantly helps maintain the all-important consumer confidence in producers following proper management and production practices. Research at North Dakota State University, for example, shows the loss of meat value due to lesions and toughened tissue surrounding needle injection sites can reduce carcass value by at least $7 to $10 per head. The Canadian Cattleman s Association Verified Beef Production program has excellent information and illustrations of the preferred neck injection site on its website at: verifiedbeefproductionplus.ca Along with the proper neck injection site, other important tips for safe and effective vaccination are: Only administer 10 cc into any one site or as per label. Use 16 to 18 gauge needles, 1.5 inches long for intramuscular shots in cattle over 500 pounds. Use 18 to 20 gauge needles, one inch long for calves. Keep needles clean, replace dull or bent needles and NEVER straighten and reuse. Change needles after 10 to 15 uses. 4 UFA Going to Grass Guide 2017

7 SAVE THE DATE FARMER S DAY 2017 FRIDAY, JUNE 9 Celebrating your day at UFA watch for further details coming soon! UFA.com/FarmersDay Our roots are rural COMMUNITY INVESTMENT It s about giving back to our community; investing in our youth and supporting our agriculture industry. Visit UFA.com/Invest to see how UFA can help invest in your community Visit UFA.com/Invest to see how UFA can help invest in your community

8 GOING TO GRASS CAN BE A STAMPEDE Your chance to WIN * a weekend at the Calgary Stampede is easy! Enter at any UFA Farm & Ranch Supply store OR Go to UFA.com/Grass to submit your entry online NOTE: Enter promo code: STAMPEDE for five (5) additional entries Prize includes: Two tickets to the Semi-Finals of the Calgary Stampede Rodeo Two tickets to the Evening Show, including the world-famous GMC Rangeland Derby and TransAlta Grandstand Show Two nights accommodation * Contest runs from May 1 June 15, One entry per person, with exception of Promo Code submission that equals an additional five entries. Winners will be notified by June 20, Must be 18 years of age or older, a UFA Member in good standing and a resident of Alberta, B.C., or Saskatchewan. Entries will also be accepted by mail. (Send Name, Address, , Phone number and UFA Member number to UFA AgMarCom, Suite 700, 4838 Richard Road, SW, Calgary, AB, T3E 6L1.) Chances of winning are dependent on number of entries. Correct answer of a mathematical skill-testing question required to redeem prize. See full contest details at UFA.com/Grass or at drawbox locations at participating UFA Farm & Ranch Supply stores. (Approx. $1,500 value) UFA Co-operative Ltd. All rights reserved UFA.com