Why Nutrition Right Now Could Make—or Break—Your Cattle Herd
April 9, 2026
As the calendar turns from winter to spring in cattle country, the focus quickly shifts to maintaining herd health and preparing for a successful breeding season. That means paying close attention to nutrition, body condition, and overall management as operations move through calving and into the next production phase.
Tom Paila with Simplot Western Stockmen’s says this time of year is especially demanding because producers are effectively feeding multiple animals at once.
“We’re really feeding three head of cattle… the cow, the calf on the ground, and the one coming,” Paila explained.
That added demand makes it critical to keep cows in proper body condition and ensure they’re receiving adequate nutrition—especially protein—to stay on track reproductively.
“In order to keep that cow on time, we’ve got to be breeding… especially these young cows—they’re just worth too much money. We can’t have them fall out of the herd,” he said.
Paila notes that many producers are also looking for ways to simplify their feeding programs while dealing with ongoing labor challenges. Products like protein and mineral blocks are becoming increasingly popular because they save time and improve efficiency.
“We look at trying to save labor… we need to do things convenient that save guys labor because there just isn’t enough of it out there,” Paila said.
Beyond nutrition, he emphasizes that herd health programs—especially vaccinations—play a major role in protecting profitability. But those programs are only effective if cattle are properly nourished.
“The best vaccine program you’ve got is going to do nothing if that cow is not ready to receive it with high nutrition,” he explained.
As calf prices remain strong, having a solid vaccination protocol in place can also help producers capture added value at marketing time.
“Most guys are understanding that… they want to have a program in place… in order to receive the amount of marketing dollars that’s out there right now,” Paila said.
Looking ahead to summer grazing, Paila says convenience-driven solutions like mineral blocks are continuing to gain traction among producers.
“For the majority of guys that have switched over to mineral blocks versus bags, I just don’t have guys going back… the convenience is too easy,” he added.
With tight margins and strong cattle markets, Taylor says a proactive approach—centered on nutrition, herd health, and efficiency—can help set producers up for success in the months ahead.
To learn how Simplot Western Stockmen’s can help your cattle operation, click here.
Source: Ag Information/Western Ag Network
