Month: February 2021

Matching the Cow’s Milk Production to Your Forage Resources

– Steve Boyles, OSU Extension Beef Specialist (this originally appeared in the Ohio Farmer on-line)

Genetics and cow type must match the available feed resources and herd management style

Type differences exist due to size, milk production, suitability to the environment and desirability of different types for profit. All these factors affect the amount of nutrients required by the individual. The nutrient requirements of the various types can determine different management schemes.

There are several segments of the industry that influence size of beef cattle. The packer-grocery store segment has preferred USDA Choice carcasses in the 700 to 900 lb range.  The feedlot operator is looking for calves that have an acceptable dressing percent and attain USDA Choice grade at 1100 to 1400 lbs (weights have been somewhat heavier in 2020).  Various combinations of different bulls and cows can accomplish this goal.

Size and Nutrition:  Considerable changes in outputs and requirements per animal may be induced by changes in cow size.  Table 1 illustrates the Continue reading Matching the Cow’s Milk Production to Your Forage Resources →

Selecting Seed Species for Your New Forage Seeding

The first session of the 2021 Ohio Beef Cattle Management School was hosted via ZOOM by the Ohio State University Extension Beef Team on January 18 and focused on making quality hay for beef cattle with an emphasis on soil fertility and seed species selection when doing a new seeding.

During this 10 minute excerpt from that evening’s presentation, Noble County Extension Educator Christine Gelley discusses considerations for seed species selection. Listen in as Christine shares the virtues of the grass and legume species that Ohio’s cattlemen may consider planting for a new hay stand.

Enjoy Christine’s presentation regarding “New Forage Seeding Species Selection and Planting Considerations“ embedded below in Continue reading Selecting Seed Species for Your New Forage Seeding →

Management Impacts Spring Forage Regrowth and Fertility

– Victor Shelton, NRCS State Agronomist/Grazing Specialist

Grazing intensity and timing influences root growth which then influences regrowth and production. Photo by Sid Brantly.

It might be early February, but I’m already thinking about new spring forage growth and I guarantee the livestock are also. In the past, we’ve discussed the impact of fall management on the next spring growth and production, but how much impact does it really have?

There are a lot of factors that influence spring forage growth. Let’s take a look at some of these factors and then perhaps come to a better understanding of what we can impact.

It’s been a fairly mild winter thus far. I actually question if we have truly ever reached full dormancy with a lot of forages. Generally, full dormancy requires several nights in a row with temperatures at 25 degrees F.

During the growing season, forages use photosynthesis to change carbon dioxide, water and inorganic salts into carbohydrates. The carbohydrates are used by the plant or are stored for winter hibernation. In the fall, forages move these “sugars” down into the roots to provide energy for winter months and spring regrowth. Plants need to go into dormancy to Continue reading Management Impacts Spring Forage Regrowth and Fertility →

Posted by at Posted in Pasture

The Buckeye Beef Byte, featuring Mike Amstutz

This is the first in a six-part series of discussions with Beef industry specialists at OSU and around Ohio. Mike Amstutz, Ph.D, is a professor of Livestock Sciences at Ohio State ATI. In this conversation we discuss the resources at OSU, his work with students, opportunities in the industry, and present and future trends. You can also find a draft of the transcript of the conversation with Dr. Amstutz linked here.

After enjoying the podcast, we’d like for you to share your feedback with us here: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_88oRgb1zbKycwhE

Links to references in the episode:

Ohio Beef News: https://beef.osu.edu

Ohio State ATI: https://ati.osu.edu/

Michael Amstutz, Ph.D.: https://ati.osu.edu/michael-amstutz-phd

Grace Drake Learning Lab: https://ati.osu.edu/grace-l-drake-agricultural-laboratory

Temple Grandin Facility: https://ati.osu.edu/facilities/beef-facility

Bud Box: https://extension.psu.edu/bud-boxes-gaining-in-popularity-for-cattle-handling

Beef Cattle Market Outlook for 2021 with Dr. Kenny Burdine

As part of our 2021 ‘virtual’ winter programming, the Ohio State University Extension Beef Team was privileged to host University of Kentucky Livestock Marketing Specialist Kenny Burdine via ZOOM on January 26th. During his presentation, after reviewing the impacts of COVID-19 on the 2020 beef cattle market and laying the foundation for what may be on the horizon, Burdine offered his insight into what we might expect the markets to look like as we progress through 2021. Excerpted here in about 9 minutes from that presentation are Dr. Burdine’s projections for what he expects from the beef cattle markets throughout the coming year.

Throoughout his presentation Burdine detailed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the 2020 livestock markets, and offered insight into the Continue reading Beef Cattle Market Outlook for 2021 with Dr. Kenny Burdine →

Cattle Inventory Lower

– Matthew Diersen, Risk & Business Management Specialist, Ness School of Management & Economics, South Dakota State University

Friday was the Cattle report, which conveyed that inventory levels are slightly lower than a year ago. There were some revisions to prior estimates, but overall the levels were in line with trade expectations. The main takeaways were the stabilization of inventories, the smaller calf crop and fewer cattle outside of feedlots. The inventory levels have increased or consolidated in the plains states, stretching from North Dakota to Texas, with levels generally lower elsewhere.

The overall inventory on January 1, 2021 was 93.6 million head. For the beef sector, the number of beef cows was down slightly while the number of beef replacement heifers was up slightly. Thus, there is no clear expansion or contraction indication. In states with the largest beef cow numbers, inventory levels are up sharply in Texas and Oklahoma, and lower in Missouri. The continuing drought conditions in the western United States would just be starting to be reflected in these numbers. Cow slaughter would be a metric to follow in the months ahead, especially following calving this spring. For the dairy sector, the opposite is happening with more cows and fewer Continue reading Cattle Inventory Lower →