Winter stocker tour looks at feeding distillers, implant strategies

Barb Bierman Batie
Feb 27, 2025
Feb 27, 2025

Winter Stocker Tour 1.jpg — Participants in the 2025 Winter Stocker Tour held near Lexington, Neb., stopped at a center pivot being grazed by cattle destined for Darr Feedlot.
Midwest Messenger photo by Barb Bierman Batie

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Participants in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s (UNL) recent Winter Stocker Tour near Lexington, Nebraska, received input from two UNL specialists on strategies for winter feeding and winter backgrounding.

Winter Stocker Tour 3.jpg — Mary Drewnoski discusses research on feeding distillers grains while grazing corn residue.
Midwest Messenger photo by Barb Bierman Batie

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Winter Stocker Tour 2.jpg — Darr Feedlot Manager John Schroeder discusses their success using a cover crop that is planted following silage harvest. The mixture includes brassicas like radishes and turnips to enhance the overall protein content of the diet.
Midwest Messenger photo by Barb Bierman Batie

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Winter Stocker Tour 4.jpg — Jim MacDonald speaks about the effect of implants on average daily gain at the Winter Stocker Tour.
Midwest Messenger photo by Barb Bierman Batie

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Barb Bierman Batie grew up near Battle Creek, Nebraska, and now farms row crops with her Platte Valley Farmer, Don Batie, northeast of Lexington. She has written for local, state, regional and international publications. She joined the Midwest Messenger crew in 2010. She can be reached at barb.batie@gmail.com.