Month: December 2016

Don’t Wait To Supplement

– Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler, Associate Extension Professor, Beef Extension Specialist, University of Kentucky

The impacts of the fall drought conditions can be seen in some of our cow herds across the state.  Cows are lower in body condition as a result of the grass shortage.  Fall vegetative fescue grass will often be in the low 60’s on TDN and mid-teens for crude protein, much higher in quality than our average hay.  The lack of this fall forage growth will necessitate Continue reading Don’t Wait To Supplement →

Kentucky Beef Cattle Market Update

– Dr. Kenny Burdine, Livestock Marketing Specialist, University of Kentucky

The most encouraging news in cattle markets the last few weeks has been sustained improvement in fed cattle markets. After testing the waters under $1 per lb, cash cattle markets moved into the mid-$110’s per cwt the first week of December (see chart below). During the same time, summer CME© Live Cattle futures moved from the low $90’s to around $100, which pulled feeder cattle prices upward. While feeder cattle prices are still off around 30% from last year, the recent trend has been encouraging and suggests Continue reading Kentucky Beef Cattle Market Update →

Planting ‘Outside the Box’ for More Late Summer Grazing

– Clifton Martin, OSU Extension Muskingum County (This article first appeared in the December issue of The Ohio Farmer)

Our agricultural endeavors usually require that we give heed to convention and tradition while sprinkling in some improvisation and creativity to achieve our goals.  Early this fall I walked a field that was a mixed planting of sorghum sudangrass, brown top millet, sunn hemp, crimson clover, and just a dash of soybean.  Before this crop, this was a poorly performing grain field and the producer had a need for space to graze livestock, he required space to spread manure, and he was Continue reading Planting ‘Outside the Box’ for More Late Summer Grazing →

Ohio Beef School to Explore All Phases of Production

The 2017 Ohio Beef School webinar series will begin on January 17 with a close look at what the cow/calf sector can do in the foreseeable future that will enhance profitability. What follows in subsequent sessions on February 7 and February 28 will be similar looks at the next two phases of production and how they all relate. Specifically, the second session will explore management of feeder cattle as they come from the cow and progress to the feedyard. During the last evening we’ll closely scrutinize the Continue reading Ohio Beef School to Explore All Phases of Production →

Choice Boxed Beef Rallies Late In the Year

– Katelyn McCullock, Economist, American Farm Bureau Federation

Daily choice boxed beef cutout values advanced to the highest level seen since late September 2016 last week, reaching $190.50 per cwt on December 1. The boxed beef cutout value is a calculation using primal cuts’ pricing and yield (rib, chuck, round, loin, brisket, short plate, and flank) for a specific grade.

Rib and tenderloin (loin) values tend to be seasonal, tied to Christmas and New Year’s demand.  This year the seasonal rally was Continue reading Choice Boxed Beef Rallies Late In the Year →