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It’s
that time of the year, when we turn our attention away from hay
production to hay utilization. This year hay utilization is more
important to the producer than ever before. With ingredient prices at
all-time highs and increasing energy costs, we are expecting a higher
than average feed supplementation cost this feeding season. Most
producers are also experiencing a reduced hay crop this year.
Let’s
consider an option proven to increase hay utilization and provide needed
nutrients that is economically friendly to the producer. CRYSTALYX®,
the original low-moisture supplement block, is highly palatable, with
controlled average intake of .75 pounds per head per day. The product
comes in a durable steel barrel or the new biodegradable BioBarrel™
made of soybean flour and straw. CRYSTALYX® is research-proven and will
provide nutrients and increased forage utilization at a cost of less
than 30 cents per head per day.
Numerous
research trials prove controlled, consistent intake of CRYSTALYX®
resulted in improved forage utilization, improved body condition,
improved grazing patterns, and increased reproductive and growth
performance when compared to cattle being fed hay alone.
Research
at Kansas State University showed an improvement of 10% in fiber
digestibility and forage intake when cattle were supplemented with
CRYSTALYX®. This increase helps improve the substantial benefits of
supplemental protein by extracting more energy and nutrients from the
forage, in addition to increasing forage intake up to 10% per day to
provide additional nutrients.
What
is the economic benefit of increased forage utilization? An 1,100-pound
dry cow consuming 22 pounds of average-quality hay (10% protein, 50 %
TDN) will receive 2.2 pounds of protein and 11 pounds of energy from
this hay daily. The 10% increase in utilization will provide an
additional .22 pounds of protein and 1.1 pounds of energy. The cow will
also receive an additional .225 pounds of protein and .5 pounds of
energy from the intake of the CRYSTALYX® supplement alone. When you add
all of this together, the use of CRYSTALYX® provides your cattle with
.445 pounds of additional protein and 1.6 pounds of additional energy
over cattle consuming hay alone.
These
extra nutrients will directly affect body condition scores, reproductive
performance and milk production in your cattle herd. And all of these
benefits at a cost of less than .30 cents per head per day makes
CRYSTALYX® a very attractive way to supplement your cattle herd this
winter.
When
you compare this to the use of soyhulls, it is even easier to see why
CRYSTALYX® should be your supplement choice. It would take 4.5 pounds
of soyhulls per head per day to provide you with the same amount of
protein and energy you will get out of hay and CRYSTALYX® supplement.
With the cost of soy hulls at $160 a ton (.8 cents per pound), it would
cost you .36 cents per head per day (4.5 pounds of soyhulls X .8 cents a
pound = .36 cents per day) to get the same amount of protein and energy
received from hay and CRYSTALYX®. Plus you will spend an additional 5
cents per head per day to provide a complete mineral supplement to your
cattle for a total cost of .41 cents per head per day with the use of
soyhulls.
CRYSTALYX®
provides a mineral and vitamin supplement in a package cattle will
consume on a consistent basis. Minerals and vitamins play an important
role in animal health, growth, immunity and reproductive performance.
Research at Montana State University has shown 97% of cattle will
consume CRYSTALYX® on a consistent basis while only 63% of cattle will
consume dry minerals on a consistent basis. Making sure cattle consume
the mineral is much more important to the producer than just providing
the mineral. If the cow will not consume the product, then the animal
cannot realize the benefit of the mineral. With CRYSTALYX® you will be
assured your cattle are getting the minerals and vitamins they need on a
daily basis.
Using
CRYSTALYX® as a part of your winter feeding program will provide
nutrition to your cattle 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You do not have
to worry about nutrition being available to your cattle on a daily basis
no matter the temperature or weather conditions, Nor do you have to be
concerned about aggressive cows pushing timid cows away from the feed
trough. This product will be available to all of your cattle.
There
are other benefits of using a low-moisture block supplement. Strategic
placement of CRYSTALYX® helps to first attract and then hold cattle in
certain grazing areas. This will help cattle better consume and utilize
mature forages in under-grazed areas of pastures and in turn will
enhance the utilization of these lower quality-forages.
CRYSTALYX®
is produced under the highest of quality guidelines assuring you the
product is dependable, consistent, safe and of the highest quality
nutrition available to you as a producer. CRYSTALYX® supplements come
in a wide range of formulas to guarantee a product that is ideal for
your specific operation.
CRYSTALYX®
is available to you exclusively at your local Quality Co-op. They will
have an opportunity to lock in a price on these supplements over the
next few weeks. With the ever-changing ingredient market that continues
to increase, this would be good time to visit your local Co-op and
discuss booking your CRYSTALYX® supplements for the complete
winter-feeding season. This will provide stability in your feed cost as
prices might increase through the winter.
As
always, if I can be of assistance, please feel free to contact me. My
number is 256-947-7886 or my e-mail address is jimmyh@alafarm.com.
Until next time, I hope all is well and you have a blessed holiday
season.
Jimmy
Hughes is AFC’s animal nutritionist.
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