Late Autumn Hay Harvesting and Grazing

Rory Lewandowski, Extension Educator, Wayne County and Mark Sulc, Extension Forage Specialist, The Ohio State University

The drought this year has left most livestock producers with very short forage supplies, so many are cutting hay fields this autumn regardless of the calendar or weather forecast. Hay harvesting across Ohio the past few weeks has led to questions about management guidelines and the impact of late cutting or grazing on forage grass and legume stands. The biggest management concern is Continue reading

Using Alfalfa and Grass Hayfields after Frost

Rory Lewandowski, Extension Educator, Wayne County and Crossroads EERA

We have had some frost over the past couple of weeks and one question that comes up is the use of alfalfa and/or grass hayfields following a frost. Management after a frost depends upon several factors. Was there a frost or a killing freeze? Is the hayfield a legume or a grass stand? What are the needs and goals of the hayfield’s owner?

Temperature is a consideration. A frost may burn the top of the plant, but Continue reading

Preg Check Your Cows . . . Please!

– Dr. Les Anderson, Beef Extension Specialist, University of Kentucky

As weaning time approaches, I hope most of you are planning your herd “preg check”. If this fall is any indicator, it appears the cost of feed this fall and winter will be very high. If you have not incorporated this management practice in the past, please do so this year so that you won’t be feed non-productive females this fall and winter. When it comes time to cull cows from your herd, pregnancy status is one of the first criteria that will determine whether a cow stays in the country or goes Continue reading

Rebuilding the Cowherd: Survival of the Fittest and Alternatives for Forages!

Stan Smith, OSU Extension PA, Fairfield County

The U.S. beef cow numbers are at their lowest level in more than 50 years. Beef prices are at historical highs, and yet demand remains strong having continued to increase over the past three years. It sounds like the recipe for sustained profitability in the beef cattle industry for years to come.

That is, until we consider the recent drought and related factors’ impact on Continue reading

Raising Someone Else’s Calves

John F. Grimes, OSU Extension Beef Coordinator

The last couple of years have been some of the most eventful in memory for this nation’s cow-calf industry. While feeder calf prices have been historically high during this time, input costs have escalated as well. Aggressive cattlemen have always tried to balance to the antagonistic mix of maximizing gross income from their calf crop while controlling input costs. The bottom line is that it has always been and continues to be a challenge to make a profit in Continue reading