CRYSTALYX® Block Talk

The temperatures are getting warmer, the days are longer, and the grass is greening up. Brayden Hawkins and Harrison Smith discuss the spring mineral needs of cattle, cattle markets, and fly control.

CRYSTALYX® is approaching 50 years since its inception. Mark Robbins and Jon Albro each bring over 25 years of experience working with CRYSTALYX® to this discussion, in this episode they reflect on the brand's rich history and how it's evolved.

Ryan Bapst and Brayden Hawkins discuss how much CRYSTALYX® supplements can earn and taking efficiency a step further with the BioBarrel®.

Jill Peine and Reed VanDriesten discuss the different ways that stress can impact weaned calves and the solutions CRYSTALYX® offers that can help.

Jon Albro and Jill Peine wrap up our latest series by discussing the economics of self-fed supplements and the cost of not supplementing.

Mark Robbins and Ryan Bapst discuss utilizing CRYSTALYX to influence grazing distribution and promote optimal herd health.

Mark Robbins and Harrison Smith discuss the benefits of a summer mineral programand how to lay the foundation for reproductive success in an operation.

Brayden Hawkins and Jon Albro kick off the new podcast series where we ask thequestion, “Does Crystalyx Pencil Out?”. In this episode Brayden and Jon discuss reproductiveefficiency and the opportunities and challenges associated with supplementing beef cattle intoday's economic environment.

Fly control is always a hot topic when spring finally arrives in Canada. We discuss the negative impact that flies can have on an operation and the options available to combat the problem.

Mineral and vitamin deficiency can really be detrimental to reproductive success forcattle. In this podcast we discuss why that is, and how a good nutrition program can help bridgethe gap.

Producers know that minerals are important for supplementation for cattle that are grazing grass, but the main difference in mineral types are generally not well-known by the producers. Let's dive into the differences and why the differences should matter to producers and their cattle.

When you can have four seasons in one day in Canada, account manager Reed VanDriesten, discusses how CRYSTALYX® helps farmers and ranchers through that challenge.

This is a good time of year to look at the body condition scores of your cowsbecause we need to be looking ahead to next year's calf crop. Mark discusses why this isimportant and how to assess BCS.

Jill highlights strategies that go into sheep and goat breeding success. She also dives deeper into stressors and why to avoid them during this time

Brayden Hawkins discusses some of the ways heat stress on cattle affects your bottom line.

Things like DNA technology and, in particular, EPDs and ways to select genetics that fit their marketplace are ways ranchers have been in front of the curve in their ability to do that. We maybe haven't always seen that in regards to nutrition, which tends to stay very, very traditional. Tyler Melroe, beef nutritionist with Hubbard feeds discusses ways to make nutritional advances on the ranch.

Beef producers are the back bone of the CRYSTALYX® brand. Beef month is every month for rancher, and Ridley Block Operations account manager, Ryan Bapst.

In these volatile times, farmers and ranchers have more to worry about than getting the best calf on the ground. Protecting the bottom dollar is key. Let's chat with Sam Strahan on bringing down feed costs while improving  weight gain.

Now is the time to start supplementing for fly control. Tune in to hear some issues that can be mitigated with proper fly management and how to go about getting a proactive plan in place to do so.

Spring calving can be equal parts excitement and stress for cattle producers. Brayden Hawkins talks about nutritional needs and strategies to help you be prepared for the spring calving season.

Sam Strahan discusses stress reducing methods for calves during stressful periods including weaning time as well as what can be done nutritionally to help mitigate those negative effects.

What should sheep or goat producers look for when they're selecting the right supplement? Jill Peine talks about the specific year-round supplementation needs of sheep and goats.

Jon Albro talks about the current drought conditions that many cow-calf producers are experiencing across the U.S. and Canada and gives his advice on strategies when dealing with limited and low-quality forages.

Since early this spring, we've seen several different reasons for rising feed costs: COVID; tight supply, less-than-ideal growing conditions in some parts of the country — too wet early, some late planting with some dry weather. Tim Clark discusses what that means for cattle producers and how self-fed supplements can help.

Where did the idea for the new CRYSTALYX supplementation app come from? What makes the app different from the website? Mark Robbins discusses all this and explains why producers and CRYSTALYX dealers should download the new app today!

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 horse's nutritional gaps.

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.

We know that consuming KY 31 tall fescue forages presents some potentially negative side effects for cattle, but do you know where the popular grass came from? Sam Strahan and Dr. Anne Koontz discuss the history of the grass as well as some management strategies to reduce the toxic effects of the endophyte.