Page 24 - MWC 09-9-2021s

MARKET REPORT
The Midwest Cattleman · September 9, 2021 · P24

Benefits of Rotational Grazing Feeder Cattle Daily
Live Cattle

By Paul Beck
There is a quote in the of being able to select their looked at continuous or rota- per acre by 185%. Addition-
1922 USDA Yearbook of Ag- diet from every plant from tional grazing of spring calv- ally, hay requirements were
riculture I like to refer to… the entire grazing area. This ing cows on bermudagrass reduced by 60 to 80% with
“The cheapest of all feed is can lead to improved perfor- pastures. Continuous grazed rotational grazing.
pasture because it furnish- mance, because diet qual- pastures were stocked at There are costs associated
es a balanced ration at a low ity, protein, and digestible a moderate stocking rate, with rotational grazing such
cost and the cow does her energy can be maximized while rotationally grazed as fencing, development of
own harvesting…but, in com- by the grazing animal since pastures were stocked at ei- water resources, and possi-
paratively few cases is the there are few limits to their ther a moderate or at double bility of reduced animal per-
fullest possible use made of diet selection. When we split the moderate stocking rate. formance, but there are also
pasture.” There is currently pastures into multiple pad- Pregnancy rates were not many advantages. Increased
a lot of interest in improved docks we limit access to pre- impacted by grazing man- forage utilization but with
grazing management, this ferred areas, plant species, agement or the increased improved retention of desired
is nothing new as the quote or plants, which will limit stocking rate, but cows lost forage species, potential in-
above indicates, and has cer- intake, selectivity, and per- more weight and body con- creased total productivity of Feeder Cattle: All you have to do is look at the corn market for a reason for the
Live Cattle: My thoughts center around this market stabilizing now. I’ve been
placing a bullish tilt to this market for some time now. I may need to temporarily
tainly been the case for the formance… That is until the dition with high stocking the ranch, reduced drought pull-back in feeders. If I owned a feedlot I’d be nervous to say the least. I do feel
place this on “hold” for a while. The higher placements the last three months will
last 30 years that I have been most desired plants in con- rates in rotational grazing. risk among many others. the feeder market has overdone it to the downside and it will be tough to break it
have a negative impact on prices yet, so like they say, “All good things come to those
involved in grazing manage- tinuously grazed pastures Calf weaning weights were But, one producer told me his further. The early corn harvest has most feeder buyers in the field and I don’t think
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
ment. are over utilized and die greatest with continuous favorite benefit of rotational 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
Rotational grazing pro- out of the stand. Recent re- grazing and were reduced grazing is that when he goes This market will rally....wait and see.
for about a month. Two weeks ago they were 8% lower than last year. This weeks
vides plants within pastures search was conducted look- by 20 pounds in moderately to check cattle, he only has to
report showed exports a whopping 56% lower than last year. This ain’t good. Low
rest from repeated defolia- ing at the impact of grazing stocked rotationally grazed look on 1/8th of the place and
imports and high exports have held this market up all summer. We’re starting to
lose some of that. I just can’t pull the trigger yet on long term bullish hopes.
tion by grazers by separating management (continuous vs pastures. Doubling the stock- most of the time the cattle
the entire pasture unit into rotational grazing) on stand ing rate with rotational graz- come find him to put them on
several paddocks. Paddocks counts of alfalfa interseeded ing reduced weaning weights fresh grass. Trading commodity futures involves substantial risk of loss
are grazed in turn and live- into bermudagrass, and after by 38 pounds compared to OSU and my not be suitable for all investors. The recommendations
Rich Nelson
stock are moved on to the 3 years alfalfa was 25% of the continuous grazing, but in- express opinions of the author. The information they contain is
obtained from sources believed reliable, but is in no way guaran-
Allendale Inc.
next paddock and grazing is stand in rotationally grazed creased total weaning weight Allendale Inc. teed. The author may have positions in the markets mentioned
815-578-6161

including at times positions contrary to the advice quoted herein.
prohibited on the most re- pastures but only 10% in con- rnelson@allendale-inc.com Opinions, market data, and
recommendations are subject to change at any time.
cent paddock until the next tinuous pastures.
grazing event in the cycle. It is often said that contin- What Does this Report Mean to Me?
These systems can be sim- uous grazing can lead to pas-
ple with weekly rotations or tures that are overgrazed, yet Q #1
complex with daily rotations. underutilized. Continuous What do you think the price of fats will be in April 2011
My preference is to have at grazing leads to poor utili- 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
least 4 paddocks with 7-day zation of forage, fertilization, going to have to kick in though in order to get it.
grazing event and 21-day and land resources; estimat-
rest for each grazing cycle, to ed utilization of forage in con- Q #2
get many of the benefits from tinuous grazing is 25 to 35%. Due to the recent break in feeders, would you be holding your fall-weaned
rotational grazing; but I have Rotational grazing increas- calves for a while or letting them go?
worked with producers that es grazing efficiency to 65%
have 30 paddocks and rotate in well managed controlled Answer: What ever happened to the easy questions? This will depend upon your weaning sched-
large herds of over 200 cows grazing rotations. This is ule and your available feed supply. I’m long term bullish the feeder market but the “reality” of
daily. why it is often said that right now probably dictates letting them go. If you keep them for an extra 30 days, make sure you
Cattle grazing a single stocking rates can be dou-
pasture at a moderate stock- bled with rotational grazing. minimize the grain in the ration. Grow them on good forage....”sell” $4.50 corn. If the fat market
ing rate have the advantage Another grazing experiment 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”.
JUG Livestock Waterers November 6th
WesLynn Enterprises
Auction
Lunch at 11:00 a.m.

Sale at 12:30
Sale Offering
16 - 2010 Heifer Calves Jan. - May
16 - Breeding Bulls 7 to 18 months RH Standard Lad 0313
16 - Spring Calving Bred Females Solid As A Rock Sire Group
16 - Spring Calving Black Females Reynolds Herefords
Bred to Hereford Bulls
Performance Tested for over 25 years 8 - Fall Calving Pairs 1071 County Road 1231
Clean Fresh Water Every Time 6 - Show Steer Prospects
Open Bowl Design Huntsville, MO 65259
Draw Tube for Natural Drinking Action Both Horned & Polled Offered
Feed Trap Keeps Feed out of Water Reservoir November 5, 2010 Sale offerings on Home: 660-277-3679 • Matt: 660-676-3788
No Flap, Disks or Balls for animal to move 573-641-5270 Display 3:00 P.M. • Barb: 660-676-4788
CHB Dinner at 6:00 P.M.
www.weslynn.net Ph: 515-771-6036 Call or E-Mail for Catalog Email: reynoldscattle@cvalley.net