Month: July 2023

Considerations for Pasture Risk Management Decisions

– Clifton Martin, OSU Extension Educator ANR, Muskingum County

Despite the return of timely precipitation, proper grazing management remains important.

We just passed through a May and June that looked more like a July and August if we consider rainfall. Usually, July and August are more likely to put managers under pressure with hot temperatures and limited precipitation that force choices that might often be classified as “which wrong choice is the most right?” as we work to make the best of less-than-ideal conditions.

Timely rainfall is easing the current drought pressure that had been developing locally, but we still have a way to go for summer heat. As we navigate these choices, here are some points to remember.

A goal of managing grazing systems is to keep forage plants healthy and growing so that they meet the nutritional needs of grazing livestock. Two easy principles to follow on that journey are first, the “take half/leave half” concept and, second, provide a rest period so plants can recover.

These principles allow for pastures to sustain over a Continue reading Considerations for Pasture Risk Management Decisions →

Manure and Sulfur Management, Accounting for all Sources

– Jason Hartschuh, Dairy Management and Precision Livestock Field Specialist, Ohio State University Extension (previously published in Ohio’s Country Journal on-line)

Manure is a valuable source of soil nutrients including sulfur.

Sulfur and nitrogen are an important component of crop production. They often come from multiple sources and can be lost to the environment or immobilized during decomposition. Accounting for all sources of these nutrients can improve farm profitability by reducing application needs or accounting for shortfalls with additional commercial fertilizer. Although the release of some sources of these nutrients are harder to predict than others. Currently, the corn nitrogen rate calculator has the most profitable nitrogen rate based on a nitrogen price of $0.70 per pound and corn price of $5.50 per bushel ranging from 156 to 182 pounds of nitrogen per acre.

Nitrogen availability from manure

Manure is an excellent source of nitrogen but the way it is applied greatly affects how much of the manure test nitrogen will be plant available. When liquid or solid manure is incorporated at application or shortly after for a Continue reading Manure and Sulfur Management, Accounting for all Sources →

The Do’s and Don’ts of Submitting a Dead Animal for Necropsy to a Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

– Dr. Michelle Arnold, UK Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

Ohio’s Diagnostic Lab is located at Reynoldsburg, OH

Sickness and death loss of farm animals is an unavoidable consequence of owning them. Whether it is one animal that dies unexpectedly or multiple animals developing symptoms of disease over a short span of time, most producers want to know the reason, the best effective treatment and how to prevent it. The local veterinarian should be the first person contacted to examine any sick animals and determine an appropriate treatment. The earlier the veterinarian is contacted in the disease process, the better the chance of instituting an effective therapy. However, in cases of sudden death or when disease appears to be spreading or in cases where treatment is ineffective, a veterinary diagnostic laboratory can help make a diagnosis and assist in development of a plan for treatment and Continue reading The Do’s and Don’ts of Submitting a Dead Animal for Necropsy to a Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory →

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Weekly Livestock Comments for June 30, 2023

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

FED CATTLE
Fed cattle traded $1 to $2 lower compared to last week on a live basis. Prices in the South were mainly $178 to $179 while dressed prices were mainly $288 to $290.

The 5-area weighted average prices thru Thursday were $180.41 live, down $2.26 compared to last week and $288.58 dressed, down $1.27 from a week ago. A year ago, prices were $146.10 live and $233.94 dressed.

Finished cattle prices are battling the heat, but they are holding their ground. The expectation was and continues to be a softening of finished cattle prices moving through the heat of summer. Prices have declined from their highs, but further price declines are likely from a seasonal perspective. The primary supporting factors of finished cattle prices include knowing there are fewer cattle to be purchased moving into the foreseeable future and the strength of beef demand. These two factors will keep packers competing for cattle coming off feed as it is necessary to keep lines operating. The feedlot manager knows packers need cattle so they will hold their line for many months to come.

BEEF CUTOUT
At midday Friday, the Choice cutout was Continue reading Weekly Livestock Comments for June 30, 2023 →