View From the Range

REDFIELD, Iowa (DTN) -- Grazing cattle all year helps provide needed nutrients most of the year at Alberta's Cross Cattle Company. Supplemental feed is also grown or purchased to fill needs when grass is less plentiful.

The Cross Family owns Cross Cattle Company in Claresholm, Alberta, Canada, and are participating in DTN's View From the Range series, where DTN will follow a year at the ranch to give readers an inside look at how the ranch operates and cares for its animals.

This segment of the series focuses on the feed grown on the ranch and other that is purchased from nearby operations.

QUALITY FEED CLOSE TO HOME

"We raise cattle, but we have to have extra feed," explained Austin Cross, who runs the operation with brother Malcolm. "Malcolm likes to do the farming and we do have farmland; it's just 25 miles away from where the cows are."

The 1,200 acres of farmland are mostly all planted in alfalfa and managed to get the best yields. Cross said they have two agronomists who advise on how to get the best production from the ground. Cereal barley or oats are planted and made into silage to feed the cattle.

"We only have a short growing season and only get one cutting of hay, so we want it to be the best we can get," he added. "At times, we will have neighbors who have a crop that's not going to produce the grain they expected, and we will cut the forage and ensile it for extra feed for the cows."

For the Cross family, who have roots with the Calgary Stampede, they know when it gets close to time for the annual event, it's time to get the hay harvested as well.

A special baler is used that has a wrapper on the back and each bale is individually wrapped with plastic. Cross said this provides them with a little more flexibility when it comes to weather conditions because it's like each bale is ensiled. This also provides higher quality feed as very little is lost from the alfalfa plant.

The hay is then hauled back to the ranch headquarters by a custom trucker and stored for when it is needed. Hay is also tested to get an analysis of the nutrients and make a feed ration based on those results.

CONTROLLING COSTS WITH EXPERT GUIDANCE

"We feed a custom-made pellet from Oct. 15 to April 10. It's high in protein and has a mineral pack added. And it has roughage in it, so we don't have to feed extra hay," Cross explained.

They use a feed truck to feed cows on the pasture. Feed areas may be moved around to be sure they aren't killing grass by feeding in the same spot continuously. They also want to feed near a water source, so cows don't have to travel a long way for their needs.

Calves are fed a total mixed ration to help get them to the weight needed before they are sent to a feedyard. Heifers will go to the farmland in winter to graze and eat hay and pellets.

"We work with our nutritionist to be sure to provide the cattle with what they need, but keep costs down as much as possible," Austin said. "On the cow side, we like to stay under 20 cents per day if we can."

The nutritionist helps source feeds needed to make the ration balanced and economical.

In drought years, they are challenged more and must access extra nutrients. For this year, Cross said they should have a good crop. "May was quite dry, but the rains have kept grass and crops growing in June," he added.

Everyone feels better once the hay is harvested and they can plan ahead for winter.

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Editor's Note: To see previous stories in this series, go to:

-- "Alberta's Cross Family Will Offer Canadian View From the Range for DTN," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

-- "From Calgary Stampede Co-Founder to Modern Ranch: Inside Cross Cattle Company's 140-Year Angus Legacy," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

-- "Alberta Ranch Builds Herd to Thrive in Rugged Terrain," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

-- "Wintery Spring Storms Test Alberta Ranchers During Calving Season," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

-- "Alberta Ranchers Rely on 40-Year Seedstock Partnership," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

Jennifer Carrico can be reached at jennifer.carrico@dtn.com

Follow her on social platform X @JennCattleGal

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