Alfalfa as a Supplemental Protein
Choosing the right protein may help bring the cost of feed down and more accurately meet the needs of our cattle. In some rations, alfalfa might be that choice.
Whether cattle are on winter range, cornstalks, or being fed prairie/grass hay, they often will need extra protein in their diet. Protein sources vary in cost and effectiveness. Protein is important because it is used by the rumen microbes to help break down low quality forage and then used by the animal itself as microbial protein as they pass through the digestive tract. It’s essentially used twice.
Many times, alfalfa is one of the cheapest natural sources of protein. It’s easy to use and doesn’t require additional equipment. Non-protein sources of nitrogen such as urea may be cheap but won’t be as effective with low quality forage as rumen microbes need additional energy to turn the urea nitrogen into protein the animal can use. Alfalfa hay, on the other hand, is highly digestible, feeding both the animal and rumen, often increasing consumption of low-quality feeds.
To be effective, alfalfa should be used as a supplement, not the whole diet, with only enough fed to overcome the deficit in protein the cow has from its current diet. A forage test along with knowing the requirements of the class of animal you are feeding, and consumption rate can be used to determine just how much additional protein will be needed.
Some winter diets such as winter range, corn stalks, or grass hay may require quite a bit of additional protein supplementation. While supplementing regularly may seem daunting, research has shown supplementing protein three times weekly is just as effective as daily supplementation as long as requirements are being met.
Feeding the right amount and choosing the right protein for your needs can save money. Alfalfa might just be the golden ticket.
Record-keeping for Taxes
It’s that time of year again. Time when we need to start preparing for taxes. Most people probably know that farmers and ranchers’ last day to file taxes is March 1, so it’s important to make sure we have everything together. For example, if you paid an individual a total of $600 or more for rent, services, or interest as part of your agricultural business you may be required to report the payments with form 1099.
Now is a good time to start going through everything and making sure it is in order and noting receipts that are tax deductible like fertilizer, seed, and fuel to name a few. Throughout the year producers receive money, property, and services from many places. Your records can help you identify the source of receipts, and this information is important to help separate farm and non-farm receipts and taxable from non-taxable incomes. For example, buying fuel for a vehicle that is used to check pasture is tax deductible, as well as things like fencing materials, net wrap, and repairs to equipment to name a few. Preparing now can help speed up the tax preparation process.
All this information is used to help prepare tax returns and just as important can help producers monitor the progress of the operation. Records can show if the business is improving and can help us identify potential changes to make.
For additional information on record-keeping and taxes you can visit the Center for Agricultural Profitability or the IRS publication 225 (2024) ‘Farmer’s Tax Guide’.
