Beyond the Barrel Crystalyx®

The issue of fescue toxicity in cattle and other species has been a problem for a long time, and we're still working on solutions to offset the decreased production responses we see. Sam Strahan discusses what can be done to help cattle overcome some of the negative effects of grazing fescue pastures.

Many spring calving herds are deep into calving season, but now is also a busy time for bull sales. Listen to Jill Peine discuss tips for selecting new bulls and nutritional advice on how best to maintain those bulls before and during breeding season.

What does good gut health really mean for a cow and what can cow-calf producers do nutritionally to set calves up for good gut health? Listen to Jon Albro discuss what cow-calf producers need to be focused on as we enter calving season on the latest Block Talk Podcast.

Supplementing dairy cattle with CRYSTALYX fills in the TMR safety net and actually costs less than over fortifying the diet. Listen to Tim Clark discuss the exciting new updates to the CRYSTALYX dairy products and why dairy producers should use a self-fed supplement.

Legend has it that the idea for CRYSTALYX came while observing how hard candy was made at Knott's Berry Farm more than 44 years ago. The original formulations were few and quite simple and were initially packaged in 50-pound cardboard boxes instead of the steel barrels we recognize today. Mark Robbins discusses where CRYSTALYX® came from and where it's going.

If Mother Nature can get it right – so can we. The Blueprint® concept is a total replacement of inorganic trace minerals with organic trace minerals, which are better absorbed and utilized by livestock. Listen to Sam Strahan talk about the research behind the Blueprint® program and the results producers are seeing in their operations.

Grazing management means managing your forage to grazing animals for optimal productivity. Whether you're improving forage utilization by gaining more days to graze or getting cattle to graze in areas they normally wouldn't go — Jon Albro discusses how CRYSTALYX® can help you get the most out of your forages.

With the launch of the new ad campaign: "Performance is served", Jill Peine dives into how performance is considered in all aspects of CRYSTALYX. From the manufacturing process to pasture grazing and weaning performance, Jill breaks down how CRYSTALYX can help you achieve the goals you have in your operation.

Horses have a unique digestive system and a relatively small stomach for their body size. In order to get enough feed and nutrition into them, they would literally need to eat all the time. So, how do we get all the energy and protein, minerals and vitamins into a horse with the challenge of a small stomach? With all the variations in feeding programs, Tim Clark discusses how you can fill in your...

All of those genetics, all those pairings — the bulls, the cows, the heifers you keep every year — you're going to directly benefit from those choices and the dollars that you spent on them, because you are going to own them all the way until they go to the packing plant. Mark Robbins talks about several reasons why a producer might consider retained ownership after weaning.

Youth programs like 4-H and FFA play an important role in teaching the skills needed to navigate through today's modern world. Sam Strahan discusses the impact COVID-19 has had on youth activities and explains some positive solutions that CRYSTALYX® has to offer.

What are some challenges producers could face during the summer months that a mineral supplement could help with? Jill Peine discusses the importance of trace minerals and the role nutrition plays in hoof health.  

What are the feed-through fly control options available on the market and how do they work? Jon Albro discusses the options available for livestock producers and explains why you can't afford to wait to start your fly control program this spring.

Producers will often say some of their best-milking cows are the ones that go down with grass tetany. Mark Robbins explains why magnesium is so important for spring calving herds on lush grasses and what can be done to prevent grass tetany this spring.  

The transition period can be a difficult time to manage a dairy herd's nutritional needs. You'll have some cows that are eating 25 to 30 pounds of dry matter, and some heifers and smaller cows that are eating 12 to 15 pounds. Tim Clark discusses how dairy producers can make up the difference and ensure that cows are getting consistent nutrient delivery.

Allowing a calf to be born in cold weather seems somewhat counterintuitive, so why do producers breed cows to calve at this time of year? Sam Strahan and Dr. Anne Koontz discuss some strategies to minimize cold weather problems including supplementing with products containing Bio-Mos® for better calf health.

How can you stretch your forages this winter? JIll Peine talks about the increased nutritional requirements of spring calving herds this time of year and gives her tips for supplementing low quality forages to ensure your herd is getting the critical nutrients they need.

From improved pregnancy rates to overall performance improvements like weight gain and higher weaning weights, beef producers have been seeing results from the CRYSTALYX Blueprint program. Jon Albro discusses what producers are saying about the benefits of the Blueprint program.

The removal of inorganic trace minerals from livestock feed is showing tremendous benefits for cattle producers. Mark Robbins discusses why organic trace minerals are more available to the animal and other benefits to feeding the Blueprint program including increased pregnancy rates and improved performance.

Fall is here and with that comes a change in forage quality. Fiber levels increase and protein levels decline, making now an ideal time for protein supplementation. Tim Clark is on the podcast to help you plan your supplementation program for fall and winter.

Whether you're dealing with forage shortages, thin cows or if it's part of your marketing strategy – you might be considering early weaning this year. Sam Strahan discusses some management tools for decreasing the stress load in these calves as such a critical time.

  From the scorching Texas heat to the bitter Minnesota cold, how is it that cattle can thrive in such different environments? Jill Larson discusses which breeds of cattle are better able to adapt to extreme temps and how cattle producers can help meet their energy demands.

Do you know the difference between macrominerals and microminerals? Jon Albro breaks down the difference and explains why phosphorus is so important for beef cattle production.

Balancing diets at average DMI meets the animal's needs much of the time for macro nutrients like protein and energy, however it falls short for trace minerals and vitamins and some feed additives. Tim Clark discusses how to fill in the gap in critical times during the production cycle.  

Just how big of a problem are flies for the beef industry? Mark Robbins discusses the types of flies that are most harmful to cattle, their negative effects and what cattle producers can do to prevent the emergence of flies for a healthier herd.