Page 25 - MWC 09-9-2021s

The Midwest Cattleman · September 9, 2021 · P25
INCORPORATING STOCKPILED FESCUE INTO THE

WINTER-FEEDING PROGRAM

By Dr. Katie VanValin, Assistant Extension Professor, University of Kentucky
It might seem a little ergy compared to grass-hay. Stockpiled fescue can be ing to breeding, and stock-
pre-mature to be talking This means that stockpiling an excellent option for thin piled fescue is an excellent
about the winter-feeding tall fescue can be a means spring calving cows. It is option to decrease supple-
program, when just last of decreasing hay require- well documented, that thin mental feed costs associated
week we experienced the ments while also lessening cows (BCS ≤ 4) have de- with maintaining lactating
hottest temperatures of the costs associated with sup- creased reproductive perfor- cows during the late fall and
summer thus far. However, plemental feed. To get the mance, and the best time to early winter.
if you are considering tak- greatest return on the in- try and put condition back Growing cattle: Stock-
ing advantage of stockpiled vestment in stockpiling fes- on these cows is during the piled fescue can also be uti-
fescue this winter, the time cue, it is important to make period from weaning to calv- lized for growing cattle, how-
to start this process in now! sure that the right animals ing. This is when the cow’s ever depending on what the
Due to the ergot alkaloid get access to this valuable nutrient requirements are targeted ADG is for these
producing endophyte it pos- feed resource. The nutrient the lowest, thus, more of the animals, supplementation
sesses, tall fescue can often requirements of cattle are nutrients she is consuming may still be required. How-
get a bit of a bad reputation. not stagnant throughout will be available for improv- ever, if a greater proportion
However, one of the places their life or even throughout ing BCS. For spring calving of the nutrients required to
that this forage can really the calendar year. Thus, the cows, this period coincides support growth can come
shine is in its ability to be goal should be to allow those nicely with the availability from stockpiled fescue vs.
stockpiled which results in animals with increased nu- of stockpiled fescue. what could be supplied by
a good source of nutrients trient requirements during Fall calving herds: Stock- feeding grass-hay, supple-
to be grazed during late fall the late fall and early winter piled fescue can be utilized mental feed costs can still
and early winter (assuming to have access to stockpiled to meet the high nutrient re- be decreased.
things like soil fertility and fescue. Luckily, stockpiled quirements of lactating fall
rain fall are adequate). fescue can fit nicely into calving cows. It is import-
Often, stockpiled tall fes- both spring and fall calving ant to make sure that cows
cue can provide greater herds. remain in adequate BCS
amounts of protein and en- Spring calving herds: during the period from calv-

IMPROVING tests and prices available 6 1 0 1 0 2 , 0 3 r e b m e t p e S n a m e l t t a C t s e w d i M e h T
BSE Clinic Time
continued from page 23 through your breed associ-
ation should be taken into
hair follicles collected from account in considering the
By Eldon Cole, University of Missouri Extension
the switch (from cattle wean- return on investment. Iden-
ing age or older) and straws tifying genetically superior
We’ve scheduled four clinics of cows keep coming back in progeny differences (EPDs) and
Has your bull had a breeding
of semen. Additional infor- animals early in life not only breeding programs or whatever
soundness exam (BSE) since where you can get your bulls heat. There are no other out-
mation on DNA sample col- can increase the effectiveness
completely examined, given ward signs of trich in the bull is on your mind. Ed Trotter with
you pulled him from the breed-
lection is available on the of selection in your program, Pfizer will be at some of the clin-
parasite control treatment and or cow for that matter.
ing pasture this summer? Fer-
tility and breeding ability can vaccinated and be ready to turn
OSU Beef Extension You it also provides more reliable ics with information on their
Tube Channel or OSU Fact estimates of genetic potential Here are the dates and loca- DNA evaluation program.
out if everything checks out
fluctuate in bulls from year-to-
year and season-to-season. If okay. In addition, if you’d like, tions of our fall clinics.
Sheet ANSI-3174. to customers purchasing reg- Call the above veterinary of-
istered, pedigreed seedstock.
you’ve preg checked your cows they can check your bull for the fices for your appointment time.
Prices for DNA testing
and found several open, it just sexually transmitted disease,
have come down dramatical- Drovers October 11 - Barry County Vet Of course, there’s a limit to the
might be cause to check him trichomoniasis. Trich is on the Services, Cassville
ly over the past several years. number of bulls the clinics can
out.
Information on available rise in this part of the world. It’s Contact: Dr. Voyd Brown, 847- accept so you may need to pick a
suspected when a large number 2677 different time and/or a different
veterinarian. It’s just important
October 12 - Kent Veterinary to have your bulls checked out.
Buffalo Livestock Market Clinic, Billings A survey of cow-calf farms in
Contact Dr. Harvey Kent, 744- 24 states in 2008 showed that
2222 about 25% do a semen evalua-
Special Cattle Sale Special Sheep
tion on their bulls before turn-
Vaccinated Every Stock Cow & October 13 - Dake Veterinary out. I doubt if we’re that high
Watch our
Cattle Saturday sale live on the & Bull Sale Goat Sale Clinic, Miller in southwest Missouri. The
Internet at
Sale 12:00 Noon www.CattleUSA.com Contact: Dr. Chuck Dake, 452- October BSE clinics in the past
2nd Sat. of Selling all classes 3rd Tuesday 4th Tuesday 3301 few years have found more prob-
Each Month of cattle lems with bulls than the clinics
October 14 - Countryside Ani- in March. Hot weather could
mal Clinic, Aurora be more of a problem than cold
Lyle Caselman - Owner-Manager: 417-345-7876 • Mobile: 417-533-2944 Contact: Dr. Mike Bloss, 678- when it comes to bull fertility. It
Leon Caselman - Owner: 417-345-4514 • Mobile: 417-588-6185 4011 could even be from fescue toxins
Call Lyle or Leon to find out what we can do for you: consumed or a combination of
Danny Cross 417-576-5461 • John Sanwald 417-588-9113 • Bobby Cole 573-674-3131 Besides the BSE, I will be at factors.
the clinics to answer questions,
Barn 417-345-8122 discuss bull sales, expected
Green Springs

Performance & Efficiency Tested

BULL SALE 90 BULLS

200 on test
Sunday, Nov. 21st, 1:00 P.m. Selected from over
at Mo-Kan Livestock, Butler, MO 8 Breeds
Large Genetic Pool
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pass the test”
• ANGUS • GELBVIEH • LIMOUSIN •
• LIMFLEX • SIMMENTAL •
• BRAUNVIEH • HEREFORD •

Call 448-7416 for information
& sale Catalog

www.greenspringsbulltest.com • gsbulltest@gmail.com