Month: September 2022

Know to Tow

– Steve Boyles, OSU Extension Beef Specialist

Always inspect the trailer floor to make sure it is sturdy and clean.

Some trailers are attached to a tow vehicle’s receiver hitch or via a bumper hitch. A gooseneck is different from traditional enclosed trailers both in its namesake shape and because of the gooseneck hitch attachment within the vehicle’s bed. This allows a gooseneck trailer to be attached to the tow vehicle over the rear axle which is different from a hitch receiver, located at the rear of the vehicle. Also, because of the closer proximity of the trailer to the tow vehicle, a gooseneck trailer will typically have a tighter turn radius over other enclosed trailers.

Know Your Numbers

Your tow vehicle needs to  have the capability to Continue reading Know to Tow →

Livestock Trailer Rollover and Emergency Training for First Responders

Save the date, October 22, 2022

Livestock accidents add a level of complication to an already challenging situation. Having a plan in response is valuable for all that may be involved.

The objective of a Bovine Emergency Response Plan (BERP) is to develop a framework that local law enforcement, first responders, emergency management, and veterinarians can use to more appropriately address accidents involving cattle transport vehicles. This framework is rigid enough to cover all the critically needed areas but flexible enough to fit the needs of local municipalities.

On Saturday, October 22 from 9 until 2, join OSU Extension Beef Specialist, Dr. Stephen Boyles and Ashtabula County Ag Educator, Andrew Holden, for this important training that will help make everyone more prepared in the case of livestock emergencies. The program will be held at the Bloomfield Livestock Auction in North Bloomfield, Ohio.

For reservations or more information contact Andrew Holden (440-576-9008).

Autumn Forage Harvest Management

– Mark Sulc, OSU Extension Forage Specialist

Forages need a fall period of rest to replenish carbohydrate and protein reserves.

Every year we remind forage producers that the best time to take a last harvest of alfalfa and other legumes is in early September in Ohio, for the least risk to the long-term health of the stand. These forages need a fall period of rest to replenish carbohydrate and protein reserves in the taproots that are used for winter survival and regrowth next spring. And every spring we hear of weak stands coming out of the winter, and after asking questions we learn that in many of those cases of weak stand in the spring, they had been harvested the previous autumn during the fall rest period, which weakened the stand going into the winter.

Forage producers around the state have been finishing the third cutting of alfalfa and a few have taken the fourth cutting the past week or two. It will be ideal if these harvests are the last of the season. But some growers might try to squeeze out another late cutting, and others have fields that are not quite ready for harvest right now. Like most farming decisions, there are trade-offs and risk factors to consider when making a . . .

Continue reading Autumn Forage Harvest Management

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Using Cover Crops with Fall Manure Applications

– Glen Arnold, CCA, Field Specialist, Manure Nutrient Management

Manure Application with a drag line

Corn silage harvest started last week in Ohio, and this will free up farm fields for manure application. Livestock producers and commercial manure applicators have started the fall manure application season which will continue through soybean and corn harvest next month. To best capture the nutrients in manure, manure should be incorporated during application or as soon as possible afterwards. Livestock producers should also consider using cover crops to capture more of the manure nutrients, especially the nitrogen, and also prevent soil erosion.

The most common cover crops used with livestock manure are cereal rye, wheat, and oats. However, farmers have also used radishes, clover, annual ryegrass, Sudan grass or almost anything they are comfortable growing. If a farmer is participating in . . .

Continue reading Using Cover Crops with Fall Manure Applications

Heifer and Cow Slaughter

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

Increased cull cow slaughter and number of heifers in the feedlot mix have been key factors to watch in 2022. Each have implications for beef production and cattle supplies both this year and moving forward.

Beef cow slaughter has been stronger throughout 2022. During August, beef cow slaughter was up about 9 percent above a year ago which is about 24,000 head higher while dairy cow slaughter was estimated to be down 1,600 head. Year to date, beef cow slaughter is about 13 percent above 2021.

Regionally, cow slaughter in the Southern Plains is much higher than in 2021 where drought has been a major factor. Region 6 consists of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas and beef cow slaughter in this region is about 30 percent higher year-to-date in 2022 than in 2021. That is more than 150,000 head higher than a year ago in this region. These are very Continue reading Heifer and Cow Slaughter →

Where Do We Go from Here?

It’s a good time to be in the cattle business.

– Garth Ruff, Beef Cattle Field Specialist, OSU Extension

Over the past few months, I have had the opportunity to speak at several field days across Ohio and during these events have had many conversations regarding the current state of beef industry.

A sampling of those questions include “Should I grow my cow herd by retaining xxx many more heifers?”, “How has the Western drought impacted beef production in Ohio?”, or “How can I make adjustments in my current production system to improve efficiency with the cow herd?”

Those are all good questions and help to confirm my thoughts, that the best teaching opportunities are often on farms where we can generate discussions between producers.

While I can work through those questions with producers, it certainly helps to Continue reading Where Do We Go from Here? →

Winterize Your Forage Plans

– Victor Shelton, Retired NRCS Agronomist/Grazing Specialist

Manage the forage you have; consider fall planted annuals and stockpiled forages and prepare for winter!

Some people try to make pasture management a lot more difficult than needed. I think sometimes it is more about how it is perceived in the eyes of the beholder. Some might think that a pasture that is grazed evenly to the ground, all the time, means that no forage was lost – no.  Some might think that mowing it frequently and making it look like a prime horse pasture behind a fancy fence is ideal – maybe. It is really about the management of the forage to achieve the goals of production, forage quality and numerous added benefits that benefit erosion, soil biology, and usually also wildlife.

Anytime you can keep something simple it is usually best.  I’ve been to several events this summer and had similar questions asked to me that can be summed up as, “What are the basic rules of good pasture management?”

I find myself repeating some things. That repetition is perhaps needed from time to time, but I don’t want to be redundant either. I am reminded occasionally to just Continue reading Winterize Your Forage Plans →

Small Farm Ruminant Production Field Day

– Dr. Brady Campbell, Assistant Professor, OSU State Small Ruminant Extension Specialist and Garth Ruff, Beef Cattle Field Specialist, OSU Extension

Don’t miss this, limited to the first 40 to register.

Have a small herd of beef cattle, goats, or a flock of sheep? Are you a new or beginning ruminant livestock producer? If yes to either of these questions, this program is for you!

Join OSU Extension educators and state specialists for an all-day workshop covering topics every ruminant livestock producer needs to know from grazing and nutrition, livestock marketing, facilities and housing. This event is slated to be held on Saturday, October 8th from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at the OSU ATI Beef Center located at 2736 S. Apple Creek Road, Apple Creek, Ohio 44606. After lunch, those who have an interest in sheep or goats will depart to the Small Ruminant Research Unit located on Fredericksburg Road (5651 Fredericksburg Road, Wooster, Ohio 44691), while those focused on beef cattle will remain at the ATI Beef Center.

Afternoon training sessions will be species-specific that include Continue reading Small Farm Ruminant Production Field Day →

Comparing Beef Cow Slaughter to 2011

– David P. Anderson, Professor and Extension Economist, Texas A & M AgriLife Extension Service

A lot has been written about beef cow culling this year due to widespread drought in the Western half of the country and high costs relative to calf prices.  Most of that has focused nationally.  This article focuses on cow slaughter in the Southern Plains.  Federally inspected beef and dairy cow slaughter is reported regionally, with states grouped into roughly geographical regions.  Region 6 includes Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, and New Mexico.

Cow packing plants in region 6 have processed 668,000 beef cows this year, up 31 percent (or 157,000 head) from last year.  They have processed 217,000 dairy cows this year, just slightly below last year.

Of particular interest is a comparison of cow culling this year to that of 2011 and 2012, during the last major Continue reading Comparing Beef Cow Slaughter to 2011 →

Why do we export beef?

– James Mitchell, Livestock Marketing Specialist, University of Arkansas

Last week Kenny briefly covered the first six months of beef trade data that we have for 2022. USDA will release July’s trade data this Thursday. I want to take a closer look at U.S. beef exports ahead of that release. Specifically, what beef do we export? And, why do we export it?

The LMIC forecasts 2022 commercial cattle slaughter at 33.7 million head, down 0.4 percent from 2021. Beef from 34 million head will go to one of three destinations: domestic retail, domestic food service, and exports. Markets find the highest valued destination for each beef product. Some beef products are Continue reading Why do we export beef? →