Month: January 2019

Beef Cattle Market: 2018 in Review and a Look Ahead

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

Large supplies, record exports, and trade concerns are just a few of the topics that dominated the beef headlines in 2018. Amidst all of these factors, U.S. calf and yearling prices have showed relatively consistent strength throughout the year. 2019 will likely bring a mostly flat year for national herd growth which will position the industry at a pivotal point for supplies and prices moving forward. In this article, we’ll dig a little deeper into a few key drivers to watch in 2019.

Cattle and Calf Supplies

Cattle and beef supplies have been growing since the price peak in 2014-2015 and this continues to be the primary headwind to higher prices. The 2018 U.S. calf crop was about 8.5% larger than it was in 2014 – that is nearly 3 million more calves on the ground. However, that growth has been Continue reading Beef Cattle Market: 2018 in Review and a Look Ahead →

New Year, New Expectations for Beef

– Christine Gelley, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, OSU Extension Noble County

If you have consistently, or even occasionally, read my column in 2018, you should be aware that there are changes in store for the beef industry as we ring in 2019.

Some segments of the beef supply chain will expect cattle producers to be certified in Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) at the turn of the year. Ohio State Extension has been working with the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association and the Ohio Beef Council to provide certification programs for interested producers across the state throughout 2018.

Certification programs will continue to be offered in 2019. Upcoming Ohio BQA training opportunities are listed here. Training can also be Continue reading New Year, New Expectations for Beef →

Now is the Time to Reflect, and Plan

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

At times I wonder what is worse; a drought like we had in 2012 or 1988, or a wet year like we had this year? As a beef and forage producer, I guess I would rather have a year like this one but it has and still is providing challenges. In 2012, hay and pasture was short but the panic set in when I started to run out of water. We have had plenty of pasture and water this year but making hay was a real challenge. I was able to get some up in May but I still had some first cutting that I did not get in until July.

This is where reflecting and planning can meet. What are the needs of our cattle right now and what type of hay should we feed first? For me, the first hay I fed to my cows was some late cut hay that got rained on. The calves have been weaned and there was still some pasture that could be grazed. Feeding higher quality hay, especially that protected from the elements, can be fed closer to calving.

Do you still have some hay fields that may not have had a last cutting that can be grazed or pastures that still have grass? For many situations, now is a Continue reading Now is the Time to Reflect, and Plan →

Forage Focus: Rabies in Livestock and Companion Animals

In this Forage Focus podcast, host Christine Gelley, an Extension Educator with The Ohio State University Agriculture & Natural Resources in Noble County, talks with Franklin County ANR Educator Tim McDermott about the risks associated with rabies in livestock and companion animals.

Many diseases can affect animals on pasture. The most difficult ones to stay aware of are the diseases that are uncommon, where the producer or livestock may never encounter the disease. Many diseases that affect livestock have presentation forms that can mimic multiple other diseases that are more common, leading to a delay in veterinary care or producer awareness. One disease that can affect livestock that fits this description, but should stay firmly in a producer’s awareness, is rabies.

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Weekly Livestock Comments for December 21, 2018

– Dr. Andrew Griffith, Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Tennessee

FED CATTLE: Fed cattle traded $1 higher compared to last week on a live basis. Prices on a live basis were mainly $119 while dressed prices were mainly $189 to $190.

The 5-area weighted average prices thru Thursday were $118.76 live, up $1.76 from last week and $189.96 dressed, up $3.45 from a week ago. A year ago prices were $119.94 live and $190.32 dressed.

Finished cattle prices are trading close to steady with year ago prices and are trading at their highest level since the middle of May. Cash prices have increased about $6 in the last five weeks and are about 11 per-cent higher than their summer low in late August and early September. Much of the price escalation in the past month has been Continue reading Weekly Livestock Comments for December 21, 2018 →