In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Mike Jennings, regional sales manager for SmartLic, who explains why fall and early winter mark one of the most critical windows of the year for cattle nutrition. Jennings says the season brings “a sharp decline in forage quality,” just as cows enter late gestation and their nutritional needs climb. He emphasizes that once forage goes dormant, “the protein as well as the mineral content goes down and will no longer supply the daily needs of the animal without supplementation,” making tools like SmartLic or Feed in a Drum protein tubs valuable for maintaining body condition.

Jennings stresses that protein is especially vital in this period, calling it “one of the most limiting nutrients” and the primary fuel for rumen microbes. He explains that protein provides the nitrogen needed for microbial growth so cattle can “efficiently digest the fiber in their diet,” which is particularly important when grazing “low-quality standing or fed forages.” By maintaining healthy rumen activity, producers help cattle unlock more of the energy still present in dormant forage.

When asked about strategy, Jennings says producers have several options for adding protein, but he believes a high-quality SmartLic tub is the most efficient when standing forage is available. With tubs ranging “anywhere from 12 to 40%,” he notes that producers can simply “drop it in the pasture” and trust cattle to meet their needs. He adds that SmartLic formulas “contain the needed trace mineral and vitamins for this time of year,” delivering a complete supplement package.

Jennings also highlights how proper supplementation can actually save money. Self-fed tubs mean nutrition is available “24/7,” eliminating daily feeding trips, extra equipment, and labor costs. “If you can control the intakes to your supplement program, you can also control the cost to the producer,” he says, all while improving forage utilization—what he calls “one of our most valuable resources” in cattle production.

Research backs up SmartLic’s approach, Jennings says, pointing to trials showing that even “three-quarters to a pound” of supplement intake can significantly impact rumen microorganism activity. Thanks to high-quality molasses, premium ingredients, and a patented continuous manufacturing process, SmartLic delivers “a more nutrient dense product than others in the marketplace today.” And because it’s a true free-choice system, cattle consume “very little, but often,” maintaining optimal rumen function around the clock. For producers wanting more information, Jennings directs them to newgensupplements.com to connect with local dealers.

The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR for today’s show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.

The post Why Fall Or Early Winter Protein Supplementation Matters for Cow Herds first appeared on Oklahoma Farm Report.