Month: March 2015

Grass Tetany Prevention

– Rory Lewandowski, Extension Educator Wayne County

As pastures and small grain fields begin to green up, and livestock owners make plans to begin early spring grazing passes, keep in mind the risk of grass tetany. Grass tetany is caused by low blood magnesium (Mg) level. Magnesium is one of the macro minerals required by animals and it is involved in crucial metabolic functions such as the transmission of nerve impulses and muscle contraction. About 70% of the total body content of magnesium is stored in bones and teeth and adequate blood levels of magnesium are dependent upon daily magnesium intake. Continue reading Grass Tetany Prevention →

Improving the Odds of Successfully Stockpiling Fescue

– Chris Penrose, OSU Extension Educator, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Morgan County

After feeding corn stalks, probably the lowest cost way to feed cattle in the fall and winter is to stockpile forages. Stockpiling means to make the last harvest by clipping or grazing of a hay field or pasture and then let it grow for grazing latter; in this situation, in the fall or winter. While most predominantly cool season grass based fields will work, fescue works the best as it maintains quality into and throughout the winter better. Many studies have demonstrated that one way to improve the quality and yield is Continue reading Improving the Odds of Successfully Stockpiling Fescue →

Bulls vs. Cow Settlers

– John F. Grimes, OSU Extension Beef Coordinator

Bull buying season is well underway throughout the cow-calf regions across the country. If your calving season starts in January, you probably have made your herd sire selections for this year’s breeding season. If your calving season starts a bit later, you may be in the midst of making herd sire selections. If you have yet to make your bull buying decisions, Continue reading Bulls vs. Cow Settlers →

Frost Seeding to Improve Pasture and Hayfield Quality

– Rory Lewandowski, Extension Educator Wayne County

As I look at the weather forecast this week, it appears that spring is arriving. One task that is well suited to the transition time between winter and spring is frost seeding. Frost seeding involves broadcasting seed over a pasture or hay field area and letting the natural freeze/thaw cycles of late winter and early spring help to move the seed into good contact with the soil. A basic requirement for frost seeding success is Continue reading Frost Seeding to Improve Pasture and Hayfield Quality →

If You’re Not Testing Then You’re Guessing

– Ted Wiseman, OSU Extension Educator Licking/Perry Counties, Mark Landefeld, OSU Extension Educator Monroe County

Many of us feed hay this time of year, but how many of us actually know what we are feeding. Yes I feed so many bales per day so I know how many I need to get through the winter. Is the hay you feed adequate for the specie, age and stage of production? If you don’t know then you are guessing what the quality of your hay is. I always heard first baled is first fed. For spring newborns that probably will be true, but again Continue reading If You’re Not Testing Then You’re Guessing →