Page 21 - MWC 04-22-2021s

FORAGE
continued from page 9
age specialists to determine to severe levels. Conditions son grasses emerge from dor- es by either grazing them out
the value of what you’re buy- were not expected to improve mancy.
ing.”
Drought concerns
The threat of drought is
another challenge that could
translate into lower produc-
tion, which compounds high-
er input costs, Corriher-Ol-
son said.
A recent National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration drought outlook for
Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas
reported worsening condi-
tions for Texas. Western and
southern parts of the state
were in extreme to exception-
al drought, while drought
conditions throughout Cen-
tral Texas reached moderate
ECONOMIC
continued from page 11
by 36%, or 18.9 pounds per
head per day. That equates to
an additional 1.1 AUM in ad-
ditional grazing available to
the ranch. Depending on the
local grazing market, that
additional supply of grass
could be worth $30 to $50.
Ranchers can capture that
value by adding livestock
numbers, cutting harvested
feed costs by extending the
grazing season, or by provid-
ing an additional level of in-
surance in case of drought.
Cow Performance Impact
Weaning calves earlier is a
very effective tool to increase
body condition score in cows.
Cows typically gain body
weight and increase body
condition scores when not
nursing calves. The economic
value of increasing cow body
condition depends on im-
provements in reproduction
or reductions in winter feed
costs.
The effect of early wean-
ing on reproductive success
depends largely on cattle
management between wean-
ing and the following breed-
ing season. Research results
from the SDSU Cottonwood
Research Station showed
that early weaning improved
AI conception in mature cows
that were fed an energy-re-
stricted diet after calving the
next year, but had no effect if
The Midwest Cattleman · April 22, 2021 · P21
or baling them, to let those
through June. Most cool-season grasses warm-season forages grow
“Even some parts of East around the state like rye- and capitalize on remaining
Texas are drying down, so grass performed well in much moisture in the ground,” she
producers need to utilize the of the state despite Winter said. “You want to maximize
moisture to the greatest ben- Storm Uri, she said. Some the resources you have, but it
efit whether it’s for forage oat fields that were not win- may mean adjusting stocking
production or grazing,” she ter-hardy varieties suffered rates to prevent overgrazing
said. “We can hope for rain, more than other cool-season and leaving stubble height
but producers need to be pre- grasses, but the long freeze for regrowth so you don’t
paring for drier-than-normal set production back more have to feed hay earlier than
conditions and considering than it physically damaged you plan.”
the options that work best the crop. Drovers
for their operations.” But any setbacks can mag-
Corriher-Olson said it’s nify overall margin losses in
important for producers to a year where input costs are
make good herd and forage higher and production poten-
management decisions to tial is lower, she said.
maximize cool-season forag- “It will be important to re-
es while helping warm-sea- move those cool-season forag-
the cows’ diet was adequate • Consider the impact of age costs in line to minimize
(Table 1). These results sug- early weaning on calf perfor- cost per pound of gain.
gest that weaning calves mance. Late season grazing • Take advantage of sea-
from mature cows early will is often low quality, which sonal marketing patterns.
improve reproduction only if could negatively affect milk Weaning calves early allows
post-calving nutrition or en- production and calf gains. for marketing cull cows earli-
vironment stress negatively Early weaning may be a er than normal and avoiding
affect cow weight and body more cost effective method to seasonal market lows.
condition before the breeding boost calf performance com-
season. pared to other tools such as
Improving body condition creep feeding.
could have greater value • Keep total feed and yard-
in young
cows by
reducing
the risk of
these cows
failing to
re-breed,
especially
if they are
thin. Young
cows are at
the great-
est risk of
culling due
to reproductive failure mak-
ing this strategy worth con-
sidering if pregnancy rates in Located in one of the top cattle feeding counties in the state of Kansas
young cows have been histor-
Wher
ically low. Where personal attentione personal attention
to every detail to every detail
guarantees thatantees that
guar
Economic Considerations Y
YOU & YOUR CATTLE OU & YOUR CATTLE
Some methods to increase COME FIRST at TMCME FIRST at TMC
CO
the chances of making money
by weaning early include: 3500 Head
3500 Head
• Make sure that any feed
Capacity
savings are captured in the Capacity
production system. Profit-
TMC Feeders LLC
ability of early weaning is lSteam Flake Ration TMC Feeders LLC
5010 Big Valley Drive
much less likely if the feed lConsulting Nutritionist Scott City, KS. 67871
savings aren’t taken advan- lOwner Management lOne-Load Pens
Jim Miller
tage of by either lowering lExcellent Pen & Equipment Maintenance Jim Miller, Manager , Manager
620-874-0591
feed costs or supporting more lRisk Management Bob Thompson
Bob Thompson
cattle numbers. 816-582-8363