Feed Testing - Why Do It?

This video features cattle producers Ed Lang (Walter Farms) and Craig Cameron (Peony Farms) who use feed testing on their operations to meet their production goals. Producers can develop rations on their own using Cowbytes (cowbytes.ca) or outsource ration development to a third party (extension specialist, feed/mineral supplier, consulting ruminant nutritionist). A recent survey of western Canadian producers (n=333) found that 59% have tested at least one feed for quality in the last three years (2020-2023). Over 70% (141/192) of survey respondents who shared that they feed test said they rely on third parties to develop rations from the feed test results. Cowbytes can be ordered online at: https://www.beefresearch.ca/cowbytes/ This video was produced with funding from the Beef Cattle Research Council’s Knowledge and Tech Transfer funding stream and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s Agriculture Development Fund.