Month: April 2016

Fertilizing Forages: Using Nutrients Wisely

– Mark Landefeld, OSU Extension Educator, Monroe County (This article appeared first in the April, 2016 issue of The Ohio Cattleman’s magazine)

Applying fertilizers to hay and pasture fields to stimulate plant growth is a common practice to substantially increase forage yields.  This is a sound management practice if application is made in accordance with soil test results and or expected harvest yields.  Applying more nutrients than recommended from a soil test can be expensive and detrimental to the environment.

A single application of 15-15-15, or 19-19-19 fertilizer on each field year after year does not Continue reading Fertilizing Forages: Using Nutrients Wisely →

Baleage: An Option in Better Haymaking

– Travis Meteer, Extension Educator, Commercial Agriculture, University of Illinois

Throughout the Midwest, spring rains can make putting up dry hay very difficult. Last year, many producers struggled to get hay up without it getting rained on. This brings me to discuss baleage as an option for hay making.

It is easy to see the reasons why you should consider baleage. Making hay at higher moisture allows Continue reading Baleage: An Option in Better Haymaking →

Cattle On Feed

– Brenda Boetel, Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Wisconsin-River Falls

The United States Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA, NASS) released their monthly Cattle on Feed report on Friday April 22, 2016. The latest numbers released by the USDA were bullish in total numbers of Continue reading Cattle On Feed →

The Clock Is Ticking

– John F. Grimes, OSU Extension Beef Coordinator

This is truly exciting time for cow-calf producers across the state.  Winter finally appears to be in the rear view mirror and the signs of spring are all around us.  Temperatures are rising and pastures and hay fields are starting to grow.  More importantly, spring calving herds have been busy delivering the 2016 calf crop.

This exciting time for cattlemen is also an extremely critical time for Continue reading The Clock Is Ticking →

Bull Sales Closely Follow Market Trends

– Jared Wareham, Allied Genetic Resources (this article first appeared in the April issue of Drovers)

Everyone involved in the cow/calf sector, commercial or seedstock, exited last fall’s sale season reeling from what appeared to be an inevitable storm. Skepticism quickly replaced the optimistic zeal that carried us through the first half of 2015. Feeder and fed cattle were not the only ones feeling the sting of price correction. Bull and replacement female markets slammed head-long into a figurative wall of their Continue reading Bull Sales Closely Follow Market Trends →

National Animal Health Monitoring System Prepares for National Study

The National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) is preparing for its 4th national study of the cow-calf segment of the beef industry.  NAHMS is an APHIS program that collects information on health and management of the nation’s livestock and poultry populations. NAHMS is currently soliciting Continue reading National Animal Health Monitoring System Prepares for National Study →

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Is Time Running Out On Potential For Stronger Cattle Prices?

– Stephen R. Koontz, Professor, Agricultural Economics, Colorado State University

Spring time marches on: Prospective Plantings was quite the surprise, a major moisture event causes flooding in the southern plains with concerns of excess up through Nebraska and generous needed snowfall in Colorado, and the deadline for filing your income taxes passes.  So how about the fundamentals and technical picture in the cattle and beef markets?

The USDA Choice-Select spread posted a bit of a rally through the prior weeks.  The spread widened from it seasonal low of about $4/cwt to a little short of $9/cwt.  This change was Continue reading Is Time Running Out On Potential For Stronger Cattle Prices? →

The Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) and the Beef Producer

– Justin Kieffer, DVM, Clinical Veterinarian Professional Practice Asst. Professor, OSU Department of Animal Sciences

As of January 1st, 2017, all “medically important” antibiotics used in feed will fall into the FDA’s Veterinary Feed Directive Program. This will mean that to obtain and use these drugs in feed, you will need a written Veterinary Directive (VFD) from your veterinarian, who must Continue reading The Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) and the Beef Producer →

Grazing Bites for April, 2016

– Victor Shelton, NRCS State Agronomist/Grazing Specialist

The fuel has been thrown on the fire. Forages are starting to really grow and may have enough available forage to start grazing depending on where you are at. One question I hear quite frequently this time of year is: “When do I start grazing?” Most grazers are eager to get the animals back out grazing and reduce feeding hay. Depending on where you are located, it would be easy to say that on a certain day you should to go open a gate and initiate grazing, but you know it is not Continue reading Grazing Bites for April, 2016 →