ADM Alliance Nutrition

Better Profitability with Lower Cost of Gain The Co-Product Advantage Nutritional management plays a key role in maintaining optimum performance and profitability of cattle. A quality nutritional program not only meets nutrient requirements, but also minimizes feed cost and maximizes profitability. With proper nutritional management, the use of co-products offers beef producers the opportunity to lower feed costs resulting in better profitability.

Effect of WeatherMaster® Process on Mineral Retention It is not uncommon for mineral supplements to be exposed to rain, snow, and wind when fed in open troughs or tires. Such exposure to the “elements” can lead to nutrient loss due to leaching after a rain and/or small mineral particles being blown away by the wind. Mineral supplementation is too important from a production and economic standpoint to ignore potential environmental losses..........

Washed away minerals, a production waste Taking a look at the weatherability of mineral supplements and the benefits of protecting your investment.

By-Product Feeding Primer....... As cattle and feed prices continue to soar, producers often find themselves spending countless hours searching for ways to lower production costs. Supplemental feed represents the largest single cost item in the majority of operations and is, therefore, the area that receives the most scrutiny. ...............

MasterGain Fescue Endo-Fighter Minerals....... A Counter Tactic for Cattle Grazing Fescue Unlock the wealth of available forage with enhanced mineral and vitamin supplementation specially designed to overcome the challenges of fescue.

Strategies for Feeding Liquid Supplements
Nutritional management plays a key role in maintaining optimum performance and profitability of cattle. A quality nutritional program not only meets nutrient requirements, but also minimizes feed cost and maximizes profitability. Liquid feeds in the form of a supplement, a single ingredient, or a blend of ingredients can provide producers with an economical way to supplement specific nutrients.

Byproducts Provide Economical Alternatives to Traditional Feedstuffs in Beef Rations Beef producers often seek alternatives to traditional feed ingredients because of cost or availability. Use of byproduct feed ingredients can reduce costs or during periods of drought or forage shortages may mean the difference between maintaining the beef herd or selling out. In the feedlot, byproduct feeds can provide economical sources of protein and energy...........

Boost Gains on Forage-Based Weaning and Arrival Programs with Prosponse® Yeast and Complexed Copper and Zinc .....In addition to nutrient profiles and ingredients specifically designed to increase palatability, feed intake, and growth in weaning or arrival calves, ADM Alliance Nutrition’s arrival products contain ingredients that promote rumen and animal health. Complexed (organic) sources of copper and zinc may be more available compared to inorganic mineral sources........

What's in the Feed? Examining Feed Tags.....Information provided on feed tags has been somewhat misunderstood and is commonly used in comparisons among different products. Product feed tag comparisons using only the feed tag without consideration of many other factors can lead to decisions which may compromise animal performance.

Mintrate Block Control Options Achieving supplement target intake is essential to deliver the needed nutritional supplementation to cattle and to control supplementation cost. ADM Alliance Nutrition self-fed products are formulated to provide nutrients at levels that optimize utilization of the base forage diet.

By-products Provide Economical Alternatives to Traditional Feedstuffs in Beef Rations
Beef producers often seek alternatives to traditional feed ingredients because of cost or availability. Use of byproduct feed ingredients can reduce costs or during periods of drought or forage shortages may mean the difference between maintaining the beef herd or selling out. In the feedlot, byproduct feeds can provide economical sources of protein and energy.

Corn Distillers Byproducts Offer Nutritional and Economical Advantages Starch is removed from corn during the production of alcohol. Since corn is comprised of approximately two-thirds starch, the nutrients remaining in the byproduct, distillers grains, are concentrated three-fold compared to corn grain.

Range

Supplementation of Stocker Cattle on Wheat Pasture and Other Cool-Season Forages Pert 1
Cool-season grazing typically affords the cattle producer an excellent opportunity to achieve competitive and cost effective gains on stocker cattle throughout the fall and winter months. Cool-season forages are generally better quality than their warm-season counterparts and several varieties are available to suit growing conditions throughout the United States..........

Supplementation of Stocker Cattle on Wheat Pasture and Other Cool-Season Forages Part 2
To determine the potential profitability of wheat pasture grazing enterprises, one must be able to predict cattle breakevens with some degree of accuracy. A number of factors should be considered when calculating breakevens, and predictable performance is one of the key precursors. Performance is directly related to intake and average daily gain, which are particularly challenging to predict because of large variations in weather and forage standing crop.....

Proper Range Supplementation can Reduce Feed Cost ....Feed costs are a cow/calf producer’s greatest expense in producing a weaned calf. To remain competitive, the producer needs to match available feed resources to the animal’s actual nutrient requirements.......

Criteria for Selecting Free-Choice Supplements..... A profitable free-choice range supplement program not only depends upon the nutritional adequacy of the supplement, but also on the successful delivery of nutrients to cattle and resulting benefits. A supplement should be based on nutrient needs (stage of cow production) and forage quality........

Judging the Quality of Range Mineral Supplements.... With the variety of products and claims associated with mineral products, how does one select a range mineral? What characteristics can be used to assess the quality of different products? How can product characteristics, such as formulation, consistency, and weatherability, be used in evaluating products as part of a buying decision?

Factors Affecting Intake of Self-Fed Range Products The voluntary intake of self-fed range products can be influenced by at least six major factors: ..........

Use Post-Weaning Data to Determine Weaned Calf Value Cattle producers across the country recognize the value of collecting and using data in order to make good decisions in the management of their cattle. The data that most people have used up to this point have concerned production traits leading up to weaning...........

Mineral Supplements Do Not Produce Equal Production Responses Based on the evidence supporting mineral supplementation, it's easy to conclude that cattle can be more productive when provided with a supplemental source of minerals. Determining the best mineral product to use is not always so obvious...........

Effects of Vegetable Fat Supplementation on Reproductive Performance..... Nutritional management plays a key role in maintaining optimum performance and profitability of cow/calf operations.......

Higher Management Intensity Leads to Increased Profitability Three Key Measurements Distinguish Top Cow Herds...... Managing beef cows for a profit, without detailed management data is very difficult and will get even more difficult as time progresses......

Supplementing Forage Diets with Non-fat Dried Milk.....While the use of milk ingredients in brood cow diets is unusual, these feed ingredients can be used as supplemental carbohydrate sources. Under certain economic and weather conditions, such as government drought relief program, cattle producers may have the opportunity to incorporate milk ingredients into grazing brood cow diets. One such milk ingredient is nonfat dried milk......

Winter Nutrition of Spring-Calving Cows and Crude Protein Supplementation Strategies A nutritionally critical period in the annual cycle of beef cows is the last third of gestation (90 days). Approximately 80% of all fetal growth occurs during this time .........

Economical Significance of Horn flies to Cow /Calf Operations Range and pastured cattle are affected by many ectoparasites, which can cause significant economic losses .........

Horn Flies...Control methods Change in Response to Government Regulations and Development of Insecticide Resistance...........

Insect Growth Regulators Early in the 1970s, ADM Alliance Nutrition (then MoorMan’s®) pioneered the use of methoprene (Insect Growth Regulator—IGR) as a feed-through insecticide to prevent the breeding of horn flies in the manure of treated cattle........

Insect Growth Regulators... Research Compares Different Sources
ADM Alliance Nutrition (then MoorMan’s®) pioneered the use of methoprene (Insect Growth
Regulator – IGR) as a feed-through insecticide to prevent the development of horn flies in the manure of treated cattle. For numerous years, MoorMan’s had an exclusive right to market methoprene-containing products. Within the past couple of years, other suppliers have begun to offer methoprene. ADM Alliance Nutrition research has identified other methoprene sources that offer consistent, comparable methoprene quality.

Guidelines for Selecting a Horn Fly Control Program.... The best horn fly control products, from an insecticide resistancy stand point, are those which prevent horn fly pupae from developing into adults..............

Horn Flies Stress Affects Cattle’s Tolerance for Horn Flies ... So, what does stress have to do with horn fly control? Horn flies are just one of the stresses pastured cattle bear. At very low horn fly numbers, cattle can cope with the stress without significant loss of production. However, some experts estimate as few as 25 horn flies on one side of a cow can result in economic losses........

Feed-Through Products For Horn Fly Control.... Cattle producers recognize that fly control is a profitable summer management practice. Depending on a number of characteristics of the farm/ranch operation, several methods of fly control are available. More and more producers now prefer the convenience of a feed-through product.......

Feed Through Products for Horn Fly Population Reduction
Currently, there are a number of free-choice feed-through products available. The majority of products utilize one of two active ingredients – an organophosphate (Rabon®*) or methoprene. Producers that recognize the value of summer mineral supplementation and like the convenience of a free-choice product may question which active ingredient provides the best protection based on investment. Several aspects of each product should be investigated........

Warm Weather Heats Up Horn Fly Population
Parasite control is an important and profitable part of a cattle producer’s yearly management program. The most common flies afflicting cattle include horn flies, face flies, heal flies, horse flies, deer flies, and stable flies. Of these flies, the horn fly is considered the most economically significant fly of pastured cattle. USDA estimated yearly losses in cattle production due to horn flies approach 730 million dollars.......

Economically Significant Parasites of Range Cattle.... Range cattle are affected by external and internal parasites. External parasites include flies, lice, mites, cattle grubs, and ticks.......

Optimize Reproductive Performance With H.F.R.S. (High Fat Range Supplement) Vegetable-Based Fat Products Can Help Achieve Optimum Reproductive Performance in Brood Cow Herds.....

Supplemental Fat in the Gestation Diet of Replacement Heifers Meeting nutrient requirements of the replacement heifer and the pregnant or lactating female is of critical importance in assuring peak reproductive performance. These requirements include protein, energy, minerals, vitamins, dry matter, and water. Research has indicated adequate fat may be an additional nutrient that needs to be present in the diet........

Variation in Trace Mineral Concentration of Native Grasses Over 95% of a range cow’s diet is comprised of forage. As range plants pass through various stages of growth and maturity, their nutrient (protein, energy, vitamin, and mineral) content varies greatly.........

Early Weaning Calves Offers Advantages Weaning calves earlier than the traditional 205 days of age offers numerous advantages. Early weaning can help producers manage forage and feed supplies when........

Comparing Costs of Range Supplements Controlling the cost of producing a weaning calf is an extremely important issue to cow/calf producers. Total cost of production divided by the pounds of calf produced (available for market) is a measure of breakeven.........

The Use of Individual Data in Ranch Management Many producers have indicated they would like to receive individual animal data from feedyards and packers in order to better manage their ranch operations. In order to accomplish this goal, it is necessary to define what the rancher must do before he/she can effectively apply the data received for other production segments.

Feedlot

Sulfur Toxicity in Feedlot Cattle The requirement for sulfur (National Research Council) is 0.15% of diet dry matter and maximum tolerable level is listed as 0.40% of diet dry matter (NRC, 1996)......

Stressfighter® Enhancements Show Positive Impact on Production.......Until recently, Omega-3 fatty acids were only used on a limited basis in animal agriculture. The trend toward increased usage of Omega-3 fatty acids is growing due to proof of its beneficial impact on animal agriculture. Research trials show positive effects of Omega-3 fatty acids on immune response, reproductive efficiency, and growth performance of livestock.........

Bunk Management – Is It Really That Important? If your goal is to enhance profits through efficient beef production, then the answer to “Is bunk management really important?” is an undeniable YES!

Strategies for Feeding Liquid Supplements
Nutritional management plays a key role in maintaining optimum performance and profitability of cattle. A quality nutritional program not only meets nutrient requirements, but also minimizes feed cost and maximizes profitability. Liquid feeds in the form of a supplement, a single ingredient, or a blend of ingredients can provide producers with an economical way to supplement specific nutrients.

Maintaining Feedlot Cattle Comfort Enhances Efficiency By Dr. Terry Mader, University of Nebraska........Adverse winter weather can trim away pounds and dollars from feedlot profits. For every animal that dies as a direct result of adverse climatic effects, the overall economic loss to a feedyard is about...............

The Use of Individual Data in Feedyard Management by William Mies Vice President, National Accounts eMerge Interactive.... Feedyards are constructed to house large groups of cattle. While group size varies by pen, record keeping and management are the same..........

Alliance Success—Proof of Performance......Improved calf health and performance of calves on the Alliance Nutrition Program ultimately lead to a lower cost per unit of gain and greater profitability--$51.09/head..... Efficiencies in feedlot cattle performance have a major impact on profitability. One method used to increase efficiency is processing of grains......

Research Leads to Techniques to Cut Environmental Phosphorus and Nitrogen Release.... Environmental issues related to nutrient management, runoff control, odor, and dust are major challenges facing the beef feedlot industry. Diet manipulation is pivotal in management of nutrients released into the environment.......

ROUGHAGE A Vital Component in Feedlot Rations Feed cost is the largest expense associated with feeding confined cattle. Based on cost per unit of energy, roughage is the most expensive component of feedlot diets.........

Grain Processing can have Positive Effects on Feedlot Cattle Performance....... Efficiencies in feedlot cattle performance have a major impact on profitability. One method used to increase efficiency is processing of grains.

The Cooperative Approach to Profitability... The Texas A&M Ranch to Rail Program demonstrates that information sharing can lead to increased production efficiency........

ROUGHAGE: A Vital Component in Feedlot Rations Feed cost is the largest expense associated with feeding confined cattle. Based on cost per unit of energy, roughage is the most expensive component of feedlot diets

Feedlot Nutrient Management Impacts Efficiency and Environmental Quality Technology Drives Improved Feedlot Efficiencies Changes in beef cattle feedlots over the last several decades have directly increased production efficiency while indirectly reducing environmental hazards.

Arrival

CitriStim™ Usage in Receiving Beef Cattle Diets: CitriStim is a proprietary feed ingredient manufactured by ADM using a controlled fermentation process. Research conducted by ADM over the last few years has shown CitriStim is effective in improving performance of beef cattle. CitriStim, a Pichia guilliermondii yeast product, is a source of mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) and beta glucans. Researchers have demonstrated MOS can have a beneficial impact on animal growth and health by binding pathogenic gut bacteria.

Research Documents Sucram’s Impact on DMI and Resulting Improvement on ADG and FE Healthy calves enter the feedlot with a performance edge. The Texas Ranch to Rail Program documents that one of the major factors impacting cattle profitability is the difference in return between healthy and sick cattle.........

Starting Feedlot Cattle Management.... The management of cattle during their first 21 days on feed can affect performance throughout the feeding period. To achieve satisfactory gains, newly arrived cattle must quickly adjust to a new environment and feeding program while staying relatively healthy.

Minimize Weaning and Arrival Stress for a Healthier Calf Management practices that minimize weaning and arrival stress will result in fewer calves requiring health treatments and will ensure calves start consuming feed “off the truck,” thereby increasing the value of the calf group.............

Pre-Arrival and Arrival Management of Calves has Dramatic Impact on Feedlot Profitability.
Proper calf management and feeding of Alliance Nutrition™ arrival products can greatly reduce calf sickness and increase profits................

Boost Gains on Forage-Based Weaning and Arrival Programs with Prosponse® Yeast and Complexed Copper and Zinc In addition to nutrient profiles and ingredients specifically designed to increase palatability, feed intake, and growth in weaning or arrival calves, ADM Alliance Nutrition’s arrival products contain ingredients that promote rumen and animal health. Complexed (organic) sources of copper and zinc may be more available compared to inorganic mineral sources..........

General

BVDV: The Cattle Industry’s Most Costly Viral Disease Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is widely reported as one of the most costly viral diseases for the cattle industry worldwide. Several studies have estimated the economic impact of the disease in beef and dairy cattle. There continues to be, however, considerable discussion and debate regarding the economic impact in specific populations of cattle. This article attempts to summarize key findings from various articles and presentations regarding the economic impact of BVDV.

Technology on the Range
Surprisingly, a recent survey revealed that 91% of cow-calf producers do not understand the importance of opening the Pacific Rim for beef export, do not have a marketing plan, and have not embraced electronic identification and the need for age and source verification. The consequences to individual beef producers and the industry as a whole are far reaching. Failure to adapt to changing market demands could doom some beef producers.

Understanding The Rumen Function Forage utilization is critical to maximize productivity and profitability of range operations. Getting the most nutrients possible from the feedstuffs fed to cattle is the heart of Alliance Nutrition’s Year-Round Range Program. To obtain the most nutrients possible from the feedstuffs fed to cattle an understanding of how ruminant digestion occurs is critical........

Body Condition Scoring One of the best and easiest to use measures of nutritional status and potential reproductive performance of the cow is body condition scoring. Body condition score (BCS) is a classification system used to determine relative fatness or body condition of beef cattle.

Excess Sulfur can Trigger Performance Problems Sulfur is an essential component of the ruminant animal’s diet. It is needed for formation of certain amino acids and the B-vitamins, thiamine and biotin. Sulfur is also used in some detoxification reactions to maintain normal functioning of body cells........

Corn Processing Influences Protein Requirement in Feedlot Cattle Corn, a high-energy grain, is commonly fed to feedlot cattle to increase production efficiency. The goal of processing corn is to increase starch availability, which improves efficiency. Processing methods commonly used to increase the extent of starch digestion include....................

Ruminant Feeds Microbes, Microbes Feed Ruminant A symbiotic relationship enables ruminants to utilize fiber and NPN Ruminants have a unique ability to convert feedstuffs that are of low value to monogastrics or unfit for human consumption into high-quality food, fiber, and numerous other products that are beneficial to man.

Surviving the Beef Industry Change....... Nichols Farms: A Success Story

The Use of Individual Data in Management of a Stocker Operation The use of individual data in management of a stocker operation does not seem obvious at first glance. Calves are turned out on grass and rounded up and sold. It does not appear that individual management could play much of a role in such an operation. However, closer examination sheds a different light on management of grass operations. The essence of a stocker operation is pure performance. Speed of gain is the name of the game and is what pays the bills.

A National Animal ID System Offers Protection, Performance Advantages,
and Consumer Confidence by William Mies, Vice President, National Accounts, eMerge Interactive
An animal identification system will not prevent an outbreak of disease. It will only give us the tools to respond faster and limit the quarantine area so that the disruption to the livestock industry is minimized. NAIS has identified the need for a computerized set of databases.........

COOL - Country of Origin Labeling Must Benefit Producers The country of origin labeling debate......

Alliance Nutrition Beef Research Where Innovative Nutritional Technologies Begin.....The Alliance Nutrition beef research team includes scientists with expertise in ruminant nutrition, beef cattle management, rumen microbiology, metabolic biochemistry, feed ingredient handling and processing, and environmental management.

Biuret: A Safe, Practical Alternative to Urea The slower release of ammonia from biuret makes it a safe source of nitrogen for cattle and sheep grazing forages and for cattle fed in confinement........

Definition of Risk Management Terms......

Carcass Merit..... Improving carcass traits genetically through the use of expected progeny difference (EPD) can add value to beef cattle operations..........

Silage Inoculants A brief review of silage inoculants' effectiveness and the silage inoculant found to achieve the majority of positive responses is given..

Forage Quality Influences Intake, Digestibility, and Animal Performance The quality of forage will dictate supplement needs, which can enable cattle to more efficiently utilize forage........

Alternative Retained Ownership Strategies for Cow Herds Retaining ownership of calves beyond weaning is a value-added process that provides cow owners opportunities for additional profit.

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