Page 26 - MWC 09-9-2021s

MANAGING FEED The Midwest Cattleman · September 9, 2021 · P26
RESOURCES IN THE SUMMER Scout pastures and hayfields now for

K-State experts share tips for adjusting cattle fall armyworms
diets to depleting pastures
As summer advances and the plant, so it is better to let Now is the time to
the grazing pastures begin to the pastures rest for 21-35 scout for fall army-
worms in pastures
mature and dry up, beef pro- days.”
ducers may need to look at While the pastures are and hayfields, says
University of Missou-
alternative plans for meet- resting, limit feeding the
ing the maintenance require- cows – or offering feed at cer- ri Extension entomol-
ogist Kevin Rice.
ments of the herd, according tain times of the day rath-
in
Agronomists
to the experts at the Kansas er than letting cattle eat at southeastern Mis-
State University Beef Cattle their own will — in a dry lot
Institute. is a management option, ac- souri and northern
report
Arkansas
Speaking on a recent Cat- cording to Lancaster.
tle Chat podcast, nutritionist “Limit feeding the cows sightings of fall ar-
myworm in grass and
Phillip Lancaster said that a moderate energy diet re-
producers first need to calcu- quires you to calculate the legume crops, says Jill
Scheidt, MU Exten-
late the number of animals right ration and can be labor sion agronomy spe-
in the herd compared to the intensive because you’ve got cialist.
feed resources available. to provide enough bunk space Fall armyworms
“If a summer drought hap- for all the cows to eat at the
pens and grazing options are same time,” Lancaster said. do not overwinter in
Missouri and migrate
limited, producers may need If cows are kept out on pas- northward from Gulf
to look at poorer performing ture but supplemented with Coast states. They
crop fields as a potential feed additional nutrients, Lan- damage forages by
resource,” Lancaster said. caster said it is important to eating through the
“In some cases, it is best to monitor the protein and car- tender top leaf layer
harvest the crop as a feed re- bohydrates. and leaving holes,
source before it dries up com- “Forages are mostly car- says Rice. Infest-
pletely and has no value.” bohydrates and those are ed fields may appear Photo - Keith Carmichael
With summer pastures in important in providing the
drought, Lancaster reminds energy that the cows need to drought damaged. cal control or early harvest.
producers to be careful not to maintain their body condi- Armyworms march quick- Larvae more than 1.5 inches
overgraze them. tion,” he said. ly into lush, green pastures long are close to pupation, so
“If the pasture gets over- White adds: “Keep an eye and fields, so regular scout- chemical control may not be
grazed, it will hurt the re- on the pastures, (and) make ing is necessary. They feed on warranted.
hundreds of host plant spe-
bound of the grass for the the decision to pull the cows Fall armyworms resistant
next grazing season,” he said. sooner rather than later with cies, including tall fescue and to pyrethroids were discov-
alfalfa.
K-State veterinarian Brad the long-term implications ered in Arkansas, says Rice.
White added: “If you allow for that pasture in mind.” Fall armyworm does not If chemical control is war-
the cows to graze the grass K-State feed during the heat of the ranted, use a different chem-
down to the ground, it can day, so scout in early morn- ical class to manage fall ar-
damage the root structure of ing or evening. Look for bird myworm.
or other predator activity,
Follow all label precau-
which is an indicator of in- tions and restrictions. Con-
festation. tact your local MU Extension
• Featuring ‘ Program’ To scout for fall armyworm, agronomist for more infor-
Cattle Weekly select 10 random locations in mation.
a field and look for larvae in Learn more at ipm.missou-
• DVAuction Service for convenient a 1-square-foot area at each ri.edu/pestMonitoring/faw
online viewing & bidding location. If you find three or

Vienna, Mo 65582 more half-inch larvae per University of Missouri
Selling All Classes of Cattle Wednesday @ 10:00 a.m.
For more information: Ross Patton 573-308-6657 • Bill Patton 573-308-6658 square foot, consider chemi- Editor’s Note: Our solu-
• David Patton – 573-308-6655 • tion to Army Worms this sea-
Visit our website at www.scrsvienna.com • or E-mail us at: SCRSVienna@gmail.com son was to bring cattle back
and re-graze the field again
where the worms were feed-
ing. Not only did the cattle
eat their food supply, but a
heavy stocking rate of 1200
hooves per acre thinned the
population out as well. This
may not be a solution for any-
one else, but it sure worked
for us. It began to green back
up almost immediately.

Photo - Keith Carmichael