Page 26 - MWC 8-25-2022s

MARKET REPORT The Midwest Cattleman · August 25, 2022 · P26

RISK OF PRUSSIC ACID TOXICITY INCREASES
Feeder Cattle Daily
Live Cattle
DURING DROUGHT, AFTER RAINS

By Marilyn Cummins
Both summer and fall are Roberts manages cattle
important times for ranchers and sheep, focusing on apply-
to keep an eye on cattle that ing the six soil health princi-
graze where Johnsongrass ples. He says there are steps
is present, due to the risk of one can take to try to prevent
prussic acid toxicity. ruminants from ingesting too
Clark Roberts, manager of much Johnsongrass when it
Noble Research Institute’s is in highly toxic stages. They
Coffey Ranch at Marietta, include:
Oklahoma, says that drought 1. Grow and offer a diversi-
conditions put him on high ty of forages.
alert for two reasons. 2. Don’t turn animals out
Live Cattle: My thoughts center around this market stabilizing now. I’ve been Feeder Cattle: All you have to do is look at the corn market for a reason for the
“Anything that physically to graze areas with Johnson-
placing a bullish tilt to this market for some time now. I may need to temporarily pull-back in feeders. If I owned a feedlot I’d be nervous to say the least. I do feel
stresses Johnsongrass, such grass after mowing, haying, the feeder market has overdone it to the downside and it will be tough to break it
place this on “hold” for a while. The higher placements the last three months will
as drought in summer or or grazing when the plants further. The early corn harvest has most feeder buyers in the field and I don’t think
have a negative impact on prices yet, so like they say, “All good things come to those
freezing in the fall, can in- are regrowing after stress they’ve really had time to concentrate on buying feeders. Let’em get caught up a
who wait”. I see production numbers staying over last years’ levels until at the
crease the amount of prussic from drought or freezing little and they’ll head to town.....checkbooks in hand....bulging with “corn” money.
least the end of the year. Beef shipments have been lagging last years’ levels now
acid in this invasive forage until the plants are at least This market will rally....wait and see.
for about a month. Two weeks ago they were 8% lower than last year. This weeks
report showed exports a whopping 56% lower than last year. This ain’t good. Low
plant,” he says. “Secondly, 18 to 24 inches tall.
imports and high exports have held this market up all summer. We’re starting to
with rain after drought, or 3. Be sure animals are not
lose some of that. I just can’t pull the trigger yet on long term bullish hopes.
warm temperatures after a hungry when first grazing
frost, the fresh, green growth a new field with the poten-
is one of the first things the tial of prussic acid ingestion. Trading commodity futures involves substantial risk of loss
cows will go after. That’s the Turn them out in late after- and my not be suitable for all investors. The recommendations
Rich Nelson
express opinions of the author. The information they contain is
Allendale Inc.
danger because those young noon or feed some hay first. obtained from sources believed reliable, but is in no way guaran-
Allendale Inc.
teed. The author may have positions in the markets mentioned
815-578-6161
leaves are higher in prussic 4. Be aware that warm staggering, convulsions, and of grazing.

including at times positions contrary to the advice quoted herein.
rnelson@allendale-inc.com
acid.” season cover crop mixes may collapse. Opinions, market data, and
“It also helps to have di-
recommendations are subject to change at any time.
What Does this Report Mean to Me?
Prussic acid, known as contain sorghum, which also
7. Remove all cattle and versity so the cattle can se-
hydrocyanic acid or cyanide, poses a prussic acid toxicity sheep to a new pasture as lect other forages other than
can form in plants in the risk. soon as any herd mate shows Johnsongrass to graze,” he
Q #1
Sorghum genus in different 5. Keep cattle away from signs of prussic acid toxicity says. “Plus, I can observe my
What do you think the price of fats will be in April 2011
concentrations, depending roadsides or bar ditches that and contact a veterinarian. animals every day and that’s
Answer: It’s hard to see the forest for the trees here, but peering through the foliage I see $105.00 fats on the horizon for April. Demand is
on the species. Johnsongrass, have fresh, ungrazed John- Having polyculture pas- going to be especially import-
grain sorghum and sorghum songrass growing. tures divided up into pad- ant this year.”
going to have to kick in though in order to get it.
almum (Columbus grass) 6. Watch your animals docks with temporary fenc-
Q #2
are all on the high end. As closely in each new grazing ing is helpful, Roberts says, Drovers
Due to the recent break in feeders, would you be holding your fall-weaned
Roberts explained, the prus- area. Symptoms of prus- because it offers options for
sic acid, which can be fatal, sic acid poisoning can occur moving livestock quickly to
calves for a while or letting them go?
is more concentrated in the within 5 minutes of eating manage timing and location
Answer: What ever happened to the easy questions? This will depend upon your weaning sched-
leaves, especially younger affected forage, and death
leaves in the upper part of can occur in 15 minutes.
ule and your available feed supply. I’m long term bullish the feeder market but the “reality” of
the plant, and more so during Clinical signs include muscle
right now probably dictates letting them go. If you keep them for an extra 30 days, make sure you
rapid regrowth after drought tremors, increased respira-
minimize the grain in the ration. Grow them on good forage....”sell” $4.50 corn. If the fat market
or frost injury. tion rate, excess salivation,
stays sluggish and corn prices don’t moderate, about the only thing you’ve got to hang your hat on
for “higher feeders” is “Hope”.
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