Feed

Locations

Canova

Dimock

Montrose

Scotland

Springfield

Tyndall

Viborg

Feed Forum

Photo submitted by a local producer to our feed department manager.  It's great to see how our local coop is reaching out to the next generation of producers!  It's about more than just making feed.

Feed Fleet

By Tyler McCoy, Feed Department Manager

One of our companies’ major variable expenses has always been on truck repairs.  It’s something that has plagued the industry for many years. If you figure out freight, then you have a great chance to make money, the pandemic really tipped the freight world upside down. When I took over, I knew we had a big problem with truck repairs, but we also had a lot of older equipment. I tried to upgrade, and it worked for a while but this year the wheels are coming off. To counter, the board approved the feed department to purchase their first ever brand-new truck. We are trying to see if buying new and paying a warranty will be cheaper than paying for repairs. We also purchased a new older model Peterbilt and moved the old feed body off an older straight truck for Canova. Last month the board approved a new straight truck for Tyndall/Springfield, so we found a good used 2016 Freightliner to put that body on just this week. Coop is in a great position to upgrade and there doesn’t seem to be a bigger need for our department. It also really seems to help with morale, I mean who doesn’t like a new shiny toy? As always, thank you for the business and the support.

7/12/2024

Feeding Cattle

By Brooke Brunsvig, Nutritional Consultant

I’ve been asked for the last year or more if there is any money in feeding cattle? Prices to buy calves for the feedlot have been going up and up and up for quite a while now. The cash market has been and continues to lead the futures market by $6-$10/CWT. No one seems to understand why this is, but futures are softer because of a few factors. Cattle are hanging 37 pounds heavier than last year, and beef production is only down 1.5% from last year. Beef demand may be softening due to higher prices in the store on top of the fact that July 4^th to Labor Day always sees lower demand.

Though many analysts can’t make sense of these markets; spread between cash and futures, they are calling for a major top in prices, we still haven’t seen heifer retention tighten inventory. Cow slaughter has declined and crop production this summer looks favorable to reduce feed prices triggering retention late this summer and early fall. This should mean that high cash steer prices will hit levels never dreamed of by the spring of 2025.

Now, let’s talk a second about water. Cows need to drink about twice as much water in the summer than the winter, and more if eating dry hay; about 2 gallons per hundred pounds of body weight which is 28 gallons for a 1400-pound cow. Consider the calves are also consuming water, so double the critters. Enough clean, and not real warm water is very important for staying unsusceptible to disease this summer.

Keep in mind the calves are also consuming some of the mineral; when you’re feeling like the cattle are overconsuming. Let any of us know if you have concerns or needs.

6/28/2024

Fly Control

By Shannon Voegele, Nutritional Consultant

It’s been a few years since we have seen grass like this.  Just a reminder that just because the grass seems to be in abundance this year, it is still best not to overgraze it.  Bromegrass pastures are pretty forgiving, but they are prone to long term problems if grazed excessively for several years.  Rotational or managed grazing is key this year to help pastures recover from the past couple years of drought.  As I mentioned in the last newsletter, flies can cost your operation thousands of dollars each year if measures aren’t taken to try and control them. At CFC we have several different options for fly control with the most popular options being Altosid, Clarify and garlic options. Feeding a fly control mineral for cattle is an efficient, economical way to help control flies. In addition, it’s also a convenient, labor-saving way to control the fly population. If you are already feeding minerals, this is a convenient method of getting fly control into your cattle, without the labor of spraying or implementing other external methods. The flies seem to be out of control already this year so let’s get a plan in place to help control them for your operation. 

6/21/2024

Are you thinking about creep feeding?
Call a Nutritional Consultant or Location Manager for pricing and availability today.

Keep our feedlot programs in mind once you wean your calves.
Call a Nutritional Consultant or Location Manager for details.

Central Farmers Cooperative is dedicated to serving our patrons.
Please call the location nearest you to find out how one of our professional staff members can help you.

 Feed Staff