Month: November 2017

Kentucky Beef Cattle Market Update

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

The feeder cattle market did give back some of its fall gains in the last couple weeks as fed cattle prices pulled back from their highs. At the time of this writing (November 15, 2017), spring CME© live cattle futures have dropped roughly $5 per cwt from their early November highs and feeders have followed suit. While my charts below only show monthly prices through October, the first couple weeks in November did suggest slightly lower prices. This is not Continue reading Kentucky Beef Cattle Market Update →

Exports and Domestic Beef Disappearance

– Josh Maples, Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, Mississippi State University

The latest trade data released last week showed that the impressive export totals continued through the month of September. Total beef and veal exports were 13.95 percent higher in September 2017 than in September 2016. Year-to-date available, total exports are up 14.46 percent over the first nine months of 2016. In total pounds, exports are up about 263 million pounds YTD over last year.

The largest increase was again in exports to Continue reading Exports and Domestic Beef Disappearance →

Requirements of Hazardous Substance Reporting by Livestock Farms are Further Clarified

– Stan Smith, PA, Fairfield County OSU Extension

Posted here in last week’s Ohio BEEF Cattle letter, Peggy Kirk Hall and Ellen Essman from OSU’s Agricultural and Resource Law office explained that beginning November 15, 2017, many livestock, poultry and equine farms were required to comply with hazardous substance release reporting requirements under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) section 103. Since that release last week, EPA has offered some further clarification of those requirements. In addition Continue reading Requirements of Hazardous Substance Reporting by Livestock Farms are Further Clarified →

Grazing Bites: Estimating Feed Resource Inventory vs The Needs

– Victor Shelton, NRCS State Agronomist/Grazing Specialist

I really don’t know what happened to the fall. It seems like it should still be September, not November, but the weather is now starting to confirm the date and the realization that winter will soon be upon us.

I often talk about taking inventory of winter feedstuff. I’m primarily measuring dry matter, e.g. hay, pasture, stockpile, crop residue, and grazable annuals still left. October rains certainly helped to green things up and provide some new growth, but that won’t last much longer and real growth is about done and dormancy of perennials is not far off. Three or four nights in a row in the 20’s is usually enough to stop and/or kill top growth and force dormancy. If the weather stays cold or at least cool, plants will remain Continue reading Grazing Bites: Estimating Feed Resource Inventory vs The Needs →

Choosing a Method for Pregnancy Diagnosis

– McKay Erickson (Master’s student with Rick Funston, Nebraska Extension Beef Cattle Reproductive Physiologist)

Previous research has shown the benefit of pregnancy diagnosis and how it adds to a producer’s bottom line. Keeping one cow over winter can cost $100-$200 in feed and supplements so removing open cows can help decrease winter feed costs. Pregnancy diagnosis is a very valuable tool in the beef industry and it is grossly underutilized. Only about 20% of producers employ some sort of a pregnancy diagnosis in their herd. Producers have options for pregnancy determination that vary in price and difficulty- transrectal palpation, transrectal ultrasound, and a blood test. All three options require a Continue reading Choosing a Method for Pregnancy Diagnosis →

Temperament; Convenience or Performance Trait?

– Justin Sexten, Ph.D., CAB Director, Supply Development

We often consider temperament a convenience trait. Looking for bulls to use, we study pedigrees, pictures, performance data and now videos until we develop a list of prospective herd sires. The final call before bidding: is he docile enough? Replacement heifer candidates will follow a similar pattern with “attitude” a deciding factor after you consider many other traits.

Even if it’s the last thing you think about at decision time, recent work at Texas A&M suggests disposition affects performance at many points in Continue reading Temperament; Convenience or Performance Trait? →

OCA Replacement Female Sale Nears

– John F. Grimes, OSU Extension Beef Coordinator

This is a reminder to attend the fifth annual Ohio Cattlemen’s Association Replacement Female Sale.  The sale will be held Friday, November 24 at the Muskingum Livestock facility located at 944 Malinda Street in Zanesville and will begin at 6:00 p.m. The sale represents an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to add quality young replacement females to their herd.

At the time of this writing, there are 83 lots selling in the sale.  These lots consist of Continue reading OCA Replacement Female Sale Nears →

Weekly Livestock Comments for November 10, 2017

– Andrew P. Griffith, University of Tennessee

FED CATTLE: Fed cattle traded steady compared to last week on a live basis. Prices on a live basis were mainly $123 to $124 while dressed prices were mainly $191 to $192.

The 5-area weighted average prices thru Thursday were $123.05 live, up $0.09 from last week and $192.60 dressed, up $0.26 from last week. A year ago prices were $102.72 live and $159.94 dressed.

Packers bid early and often on cattle this week in hopes of slowing the Continue reading Weekly Livestock Comments for November 10, 2017 →

Farms must begin reporting air releases of hazardous substances from animal wastes

– Peggy Kirk Hall, Asst. Professor, Agricultural & Resource Law and Ellen Essman, Law Fellow

UPDATE, 11/13/2017: The EPA and several agricultural groups have requested the court for a delay of the November 15 reporting deadline, but the court has not yet responded to the request. Due to a high call volume, the EPA is now advising that producers should utilize the e-mail option for continuous reporting, rather than calling the NRC line. See more here.

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Beginning November 15, 2017, many livestock, poultry and equine farms must comply with reporting requirements under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) section 103. The law requires entities to report releases of hazardous substances above a certain threshold that occur within a 24-hour period. Farms have historically been exempt from most reporting under CERCLA, but in the spring of 2017 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit struck down the rule that allowed reporting exemptions for farms. As long as there is no further action by the Court to push back the effective date, farmers and operators of operations that house beef, dairy, horses, swine and poultry must Continue reading Farms must begin reporting air releases of hazardous substances from animal wastes →

Not Too Early to Prepare for 2018 Calving Season

– John F. Grimes, OSU Extension Beef Coordinator

You might find the timing of the title of this article a bit unusual. After all, many producers are currently marketing the 2017 calf crop, grain harvest isn’t finished, and winter is nearly two months away. Depending on the starting date of your calving season, the arrival of the 2018 crop is 60 or more days away. Plenty of time to plan ahead, right? Don’t be so sure.

Regardless of when your 2018 calving season begins, management of the beef female during the last trimester (90-95 days) of pregnancy can lay the foundation for Continue reading Not Too Early to Prepare for 2018 Calving Season →