Month: May 2022

Alfalfa Weevil: Ready, Set, Scout!

– Aaron Wilson, Kelley Tilmon, Mark Sulc, and Andy Michel, OSU Extension

Accumulated growing degree days (base 48°F sine calculation method) for January 1-May 2, 2022

Finally we’ve accumulated enough heat units that significant parts of Ohio are now or very soon will be in prime time for alfalfa weevil. Peak larval activity and feeding damage occur between 325 and 575 GDD.

In short, most locations should begin scouting, especially in fields that were damaged last fall by the fall armyworm, because we don’t want to add more insult to those fields early this season. Alfalfa fields should be scouted weekly for weevils until at least the first harvest. Follow-up scouting may be needed after the first harvest in heavily infested fields.

Spot problem fields early by checking alfalfa tips for feeding damage – small holes and a tattered appearance. Fields that have a south facing slope tend to . . .

Continue reading Alfalfa Weevil: Ready, Set, Scout!

“If, or when” might the bottom fall from this fed cattle market?

At a recent meeting that included a number of Ohio cattle feeders, OSU Extension Beef Field Specialist Garth Ruff was asked, “With continued record cattle on feed numbers, drought in the west, and current packing capacity, where or what is the breaking point in the fed cattle market this fall?” In other words, is it a matter of if, or when the bottom might fall from the fed cattle market.

For an opinion, Ruff turned to Dr. Kenny Burdine, Extension Professor, Livestock Marketing, at the University of Kentucky. This is what he had to say . . .

I think this one is an “IF”. I am not convinced the fed cattle market is going to crash. The on-feed numbers don’t match beef cow numbers from last year and I think the drought is part of the reason for that. I think we placed a lot of calves on feed that would have been carried on wheat pasture until March, had weather allowed. Plus, I think it is forcing early movement of fall born calves. Cow slaughter was high last year and is running much higher this year. All this can lead to big slaughter numbers in the short run, but I don’t think it is sustainable with beef cow numbers declining like they have been. While there are wildcards out there and markets can be very unpredictable, I think there is a good chance this fed cattle market takes off in the second half of 2022.

Hold the Date; Ohio Beef Day coming to Muskingum County July 16

Plan to attend, register today!

Field days have long been a great educational tool used to show farmers new technologies and management practices. OSU Extension is pleased to announce the return of a statewide Ohio Beef Cattle Field Day and Tour. It has been several years since an Ohio Beef Field Day has been held, and the program will make it reappearance in Muskingum County on Saturday July 16, 2022.

Pre-registration for the program is required and can be completed online at go.osu.edu/2022beefday by July 7. The program fee is $10 per person to cover costs. An information folder, refreshments, lunch, and Beef Quality Assurance certification will be provided to all attendees. More detail will be forthcoming as the date approaches but in the meantime if there are any questions regarding the program contact Garth Ruff, Beef Cattle Field Specialist at ruff.72@osu.edu or 740-305-3201.

We hope to see you in Muskingum County on July 16!

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Introduction to Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Insurance for Forage Risk Management, Part 2

– James Mitchell, Livestock Marketing Specialist, University of Arkansas

An example of the PRF protection decisions that a producer will make.

In my last article, I reviewed some basics of Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Insurance (PRF). I noted that there are several decisions that producers will have to make about their PRF policy. Those decisions have important implications for producer premiums and indemnity payments. This week I want to continue that discussion by looking at some of these PRF decisions that interested producers will have to consider. To do this, I will utilize the USDA RMA decision support tool and our example from last time, the UofA Livestock and Forestry Research Station in Batesville, AR.

The figure above is an example of the PRF protection decisions that a producer will have to make. These PRF decisions included intended use, insured acres, coverage level, productivity factor, two-month index intervals, and percent of value. There are two approaches that producers can take with these decisions. The first is to approach PRF from a risk management perspective. The second is to make Continue reading Introduction to Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Insurance for Forage Risk Management, Part 2 →

Improvements & Cautions

– Stephen R. Koontz, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University

The cattle markets bring a mix optimistic and caution news. Fed cattle prices are at levels not seen since mid-2015. The substantial heifer composition of FI fed slaughter and the reasonably aggressive beef cow slaughter and liquidation clearly communicates the tightening future beef supplies. Boxed beef comprehensive cutout values continue to counter-seasonally soften but only from last year’s greater than $300 per cwt amounts. Beef demand continues to look very strong even as beef valuations and packer margins shrink. The beef supply chain gives the modest perception of something of a return to normal given the repeated restart issues of the past year. Beef production has been very strong since problems experienced in January. And retail beef prices are finally not the protein setting record high valuations.

There was a mix of news in the Cattle on Feed report. Placements were, again, surprising large compared to expectations. But then again maybe the drought-driven behavior by cow-calf and stocker producers reflects conditions worse than understood.  Regardless, the very high cattle on feed inventories will impact the market for some time with these placements. But there is also the discussion that cattle feeding enterprises are chasing the available calves in anticipation of Continue reading Improvements & Cautions →