Southeast Hay Production Increased by 2% in 2024

– James Mitchell, Livestock Marketing Specialist, University of Arkansas

Last week, USDA-NASS published the 2024 Crop Production Summary, which includes information about U.S. hay production, acreage, and yield, as well as data for December 1 hay stocks. The report categorizes the data into two segments: alfalfa and other hay, with other hay being particularly relevant for producers in the Southeast.

The hay marketing year begins in May and concludes the following April. For instance, the 2024-2025 hay marketing year started in May 2024 and will end in April 2025. On May 1, hay stocks for the 2024-2025 marketing year were significantly higher compared to the previous year, totaling 21.01 million tons, which represents a 47% increase year over year. In the Southeast (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV), May 1 hay stocks reached Continue reading Southeast Hay Production Increased by 2% in 2024 →

Is this the right time to grow the cattle business?

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

Is this the right time to get in the cattle business or grow the cattle business considerably? This seems as if it is just the opposite question as what was discussed in last week’s column, but this question was asked twice in the past week.

The first thought is that buying into a business that is at the top or near the top is not typically the best decision. However, that is not always the sole determining factor as other opportunities may present themselves due to that simple decisions.

For instance, there may be neighbors looking to sell their herds and want someone to rent their ground. Sometimes a person has to take advantage of the longer-term opportunity of renting the neighbors ground and that may mean purchasing some cows at the top of the market. There are other similar instances, but a person still needs to put pencil to paper. In these special circumstances, it often takes long-term planning and budgeting to determine if this is a good decision. Thus, buying in when the market is high could still be a favorable decision for some market participants.

Adjusting for Cold Weather

– Dean Kreager, Licking County Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

A few years ago, I used to smile a little when my wife complained that our house was too cold at 64°. Now I find myself sneaking over to the thermostat and bumping it up a couple degrees. It is easy for us to know when we are cold but how do we know when livestock are cold? In some situations, it is easy to see, such as if they are hunched up and shivering. Often it is hard to tell when they are cold. Their comfort range is not the same as ours.

Research has shown that below a certain point, our grazing animals will increase their metabolism to produce heat. This maintains body functions such as rumination and keeps the animal comfortable. To meet the needs of increased metabolism, the animal will consume more feed. How much extra feed they can consume is related to the Continue reading Adjusting for Cold Weather →

Cold Stress and Beef Cows

– Steve Boyles, OSU Extension Beef Specialist, retired

Factors that create stress during the winter months are cold, wind, snow, rain and mud. The primary effect on animals is due to temperature. All these factors alter the maintenance energy requirement of livestock. Maintenance requirement can be defined, as the nutrients required for keeping an animal in a state of balance so that body substance is neither gained or lost. An interesting thing to note is that while energy requirements increase, protein requirements remain the same.

Some published sources contain nutrient requirements for beef cattle that include guidelines for adjusting rations during winter weather. Even without published sources, competent livestock producers realize the need for more feed during cold weather. Make sure that Continue reading Cold Stress and Beef Cows →

Should I liquidate the herd while the cattle market is strong?

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

This week a question was asked concerning liquidating the cow herd while the cattle market is strong. This is not the first time I have received this question as several producers have certainly entertained the thought.

The answer or the correct move for an individual producer is dependent on expectations, goals, longevity in the business, and alternative land uses if the land the cattle are on is owned. One thought some should consider is that the cattle market is expected to stay high for three years. If a person can stand to stay in business for a couple of years then it may be a wise decision to capitalize on a couple or three of years of strong calf prices and slowly market a few cows without keeping any heifers as replacements. This will result in taking advantage of the market while reducing the herd size. The producer can then reevaluate the alternative in year three and determine if liquidating the herd completely is still in the best interest of all parties.

Tax implications should also be considered when making this decision.

Grazing Management Lunch and Learn Series: Native Warm Season Grasses

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Native warm season grasses often are not associated with pasture production here in Ohio. But native warm season grasses allow producers to diversify their operations and increase forage production. On this January 29 webinar (Microsoft Teams), join Jason at 12:15 p.m. as he talks about successfully managing warm season grass stands and how they can benefit your operation.

Click here to join this live event.

2025 Picks Up Where 2024 Left Off

– Will Secor, Ph.D., Assistant Professor & Extension Livestock Economist, Masters of Agribusiness (MAB) Coordinator, Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics, University of Georgia

Cattle markets are off to a hot start in 2025. All through the supply chain from beef markets to feeder cattle markets, prices are up significantly year-over-year. Continuing tight supplies and strong demand remain the driving forces behind these price movements.

Boxed beef prices are up about 16% year-over-year and moved higher in the second week of January compared to the first reading of the year. Direct fed steer prices also increased this week by about 2% compared to last week and up 17% year-over-year. It is notable that these year-over-year price increases come amid higher head counts moving through negotiated cash markets this week.

In feeder cattle markets, prices are up across the country and across weights. 700-800 lb. feeder steer prices are Continue reading 2025 Picks Up Where 2024 Left Off →

Ohio Virtual Beef School begins January 29: An evening with Kenny Burdine

Plan to join us for one or all of these sessions!

The OSU Extension Beef Team is pleased to be offering a Virtual Beef School featuring one webinar per month beginning January 29 and concluding in April.

For the first session join us – either in person in the Fairfield County Ag Center in Lancaster, or via ZOOM – on January 29 as we spend an evening exploring the economics of the beef cattle and livestock sector with University of Kentucky Extension economist Kenny Burdine.

Going into 2025 beef cattle prices are at record highs! Can it continue? How long will the consumer continue to support these price levels? Is it too late to Continue reading Ohio Virtual Beef School begins January 29: An evening with Kenny Burdine →

Join us for a Manure Management Workshop

Plan to join us.

Join Seneca County Extension to learn more about tips and tricks of manure management for both the livestock producer and the agronomic farmer. Information on water quality and the H2Ohio program will be presented as well. Certified Crop Advisor and Certified Livestock Manager credits are available for those who attend the entire workshop.

The topics to be discussed are Using Manure with Growing Crops, Pollution Abatement Laws/Regulations and H2Ohio Manure Practice, and Watershed Phosphorus Trends. Refreshments will be provided. This workshop is free to attend but please register at go.osu.edu/scmanure or call 419-447-9722

Four Questions the 2025 Cattle Market Will Need to Answer

– Dr. Kenny Burdine, Extension Professor, Livestock Marketing, University of Kentucky

Trends are always difficult to ascertain coming out of holiday periods as many markets are closed and volumes tend to be pretty light, but cattle prices have started 2025 very strong. While questions exist on the demand side, tight cattle supplies will remain the primary driver in the new year and should continue to support prices. And as always, weather will have a significant impact on feed and forage availability and cattle marketing patterns. As I write the first Cattle Market Notes Weekly article of the year, I wanted to discuss four questions that I think will be important for the 2025 cattle market to answer.

Will we start to see significant heifer retention? – This question has been circulating for the better part of the last two years. There are a lot of reasons why retention has been delayed including Continue reading Four Questions the 2025 Cattle Market Will Need to Answer →