By Erin Laborie, Nebraska Extension Educator
Feed costs are often the largest category of expense for cow-calf producers in Nebraska. Understanding how the cow’s nutrient requirements change throughout the year and how to cost-effectively meet those requirements with the feed resources available can greatly influence an operation’s bottom line.
Nebraska Extension will be hosting a four session webinar series in March that will explain the fundamentals of understanding a cow’s nutrition requirements and the options available to meet a cow’s needs with grazed or harvested feed. The series will be held Monday and Thursday evenings, March 11, 14, 18 and 21, from 7:30 – 8:45 p.m. CT.
Topics to be covered include:
· What impacts a cow’s nutrient requirements and how do they change throughout the year?
· How do you read and understand a feed test analysis as well as a feed tag? What do the numbers mean?
· When comparing feed options, which is the best buy when all things are considered?
· What are things to consider when developing a year-round feeding plan?
The cost of the course is $50 and includes a notebook of Nebraska Extension resources. The course is limited to 35 participants. To register, visit https://go.unl.edu/feedingthecow. Participants are asked to register by March 4 to ensure webinar resources are received before the series begins. A computer and internet connection will be needed to participate in the webinar series.
For questions about the webinar series, please contact Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Educator, at 308-235-3122 or aberger2@unl.edu.