SEARCH

Feed grains and commodity prices are high and the latest words of wisdom echoing throughout the industry indicate that cow-calf and stocker operators should look at all possible options to maximize performance from their forage programs. There are numerous ways to manage your forages as well as supplemental inputs. These can vary considerably by geographic regions, cattle type, grazing and climate conditions or land resources that you have available. I have put together a list of five ways to help you get the most from your forages. Our team of bloggers will be looking at expanding on these areas over the next five weeks to help you more fully evaluate ways to maximize returns to your beef cattle operation.

1. Delay spring turn out on native cool season or mixed pastures in the plains and northern plains states. Overall forage production can be dramatically reduced (35 percent or greater) for the grazing period if these native pastures are grazed too early in the spring. Too early is prior to when there are four fully developed leaves and coincides with achieving positive energy balance within the grass plant. Use of tame cool season pastures is a natural way to get a jump on grazing well ahead of your native pastures. These types of grasses commonly include Smooth Brome or Crested Wheat. Use of winter annuals, crop residues or stored forages such as hay or silage can also help maintain early spring forage supplies. When cows are pushing on the fence, you can easily be convinced to just open the gate. Don’t do it if you want to maximize the forage potential of your grasslands.
2. Annual crops can provide additional grazing or stored forages when needed. If additional forages are needed to help during periods of drought, delaying turn out on native pastures or extending the grazing season when native pasture resources are depleted, annual crops planted for forage use can be very cost effective. A wide variety of crops, their growing characteristics and their use as grazed or stored forages can provide many options to cattle producers when they have access to cropland. Many operations come to rely on this forage base as a planned part of their overall feed program.
3. Forage preservatives can dramatically reduce dry matter loss in silage and hay. Forage preservatives applied during the ensiling process, or when baling hay, can help reduce losses associated with spoilage. Sulfite-based preservatives such as BulletProof® are different from organic acids or inoculants which can also be used when storing forages. Go to BulletProofYourForage.com to evaluate some of the differences. These products can help provide a wider harvest window, reduce losses from heating, increase DM recovery and significantly reduce mold and yeast growth. Forage preservatives like BulletProof® have even higher rates of return when forages and supplements are worth what they are today. They should be a part of any stored forage program.
4. Incorporate the use of feed additives for stockers and replacement heifers. To increase animal performance while grazing, feed additives such as ionophores can easily provide an extra 10 percent boost in ADG. Over the summer grazing season this could amount to an added 25 to 45 lbs on stocker cattle or replacement heifers. Free-choice delivery of government regulated feed additives such as ionophores must be approved by the FDA. There are only a few of these products available on the market today. CRYSTALYX® Ionolyx-B 300 contains Bovatec® and provides 30 percent CP formulated to supplement stocker cattle and/or replacement heifers. Make sure you read and follow label directions on their use. Products with free-choice clearance for the delivery of ionophores to mature beef cows are limited.
5. Pasture rotation systems can extend grazing. Depending upon your part of the country, soil type, growing conditions and pasture species, a rotational grazing system may help you maximize the forage produced on a per acre basis. A wide variety of rotation systems are in use and vary in complexity and results. Visit with your state land grant university or USDA research staff on recommendations for your area of the country.

Bovatec® is a registered trademark of Pfizer Animal Health, Madison, NJ.

We have come through a very mild winter and are off to an early spring with record setting high temperatures. A negative affect is an early emergence of flies. This will be a year where an integrated fly control program will be needed for effective fly control. The tools for fly control include sanitation, feed through products, sprays, dust, rubs, fly tags and various fly traps. Determine which fly is the problem because control measures will vary by species. The early warm temperatures may allow the fly population to get an earlier than normal start. Below is a description of the common flies that impact cattle performance.

Horn Fly Face Fly   House Fly Stable Fly

First, determine which fly species you are fighting by looking at the size of the fly and where are they breeding and laying eggs. The most economically significant pasture fly is the Horn Fly. The Horn Fly spends the majority of time on the animal and lays eggs in fresh manure. It is the smallest of the common flies, but cause significant stress and discomfort to the animal. The Face Fly is much larger and also breeds in manure, but can spend a significant amount of time off the animal. The House Fly and Stable Fly are attracted to the animal, but spend most of their time in surrounding areas such as barns and decomposing feed. The House and Stable Fly will breed in manure, wet areas and any composted material. 

Second, determine where the flies are feeding and nesting. The Horn Fly is a blood feeder and will be on the back and withers of the animal and move to the lower flank and underside during the times of full sun. They take a blood meal 30 to 40 times per day and spend the majority of their adult life on the animal. The Horn Fly’s mouth part is a slicing and suction type which causes multiple painful lacerations in a single bite. The blood loss can be significant. 

The female Face Fly feeds on the mucus secretions around the nose, eyes and mouth. Face Flies are often a vector in a breakout of pink eye. The male Face Fly stays in the vegetation and feeds on plant nectars and fecal material. The female spends the night on vegetation. The Face Fly is not a blood feeder, but they do lay their eggs in manure. 

The House Fly is an annoyance fly. They have a sponging mouth part and do not bite. They feed on multiple items with a preference for carbohydrate-rich feeds. They lay their eggs in decaying and composted material such as manure laden bedding backs. 

The Stable Fly is a biting and blood feeding fly. They feed on any warm blooded animal. They have a piercing mouth part which resembles a hypodermic needle. The Stable Fly tends to prefer the underside and legs of the animal. Stomping and jumping are often associated with Stable Fly bites. They lay their eggs in decaying and composted material such as manure laden bedding backs, wasted hay or silages.

Control Measures

Sanitation and Weed Control

Removal of decaying and composted material is needed to eliminate the breeding area of the House and Stable Fly. Frequent mowing and weed control around buildings can help control the Face Fly breeding and nesting areas.

Knock Down and Residual Sprays

Existing adult populations will need to be eliminated by using repeated knock down sprays. The time for eggs to hatch will vary from 10 to 14 days. Sprays may be needed for the first few weeks of the fly season. This will allow time for other measures such as feed through products and pour on products to control the developing fly population.

Topical Fly Control

Rubs, oilers and dusters can be used in areas where the animal has frequent access to the devices. Fly tags and pour on products can provide additional protection for various lengths depending on product type.

Fly Traps and Bait

Traps and bait are affective for only the Stable and House Fly. These flies will be in buildings and seek out nesting sites. The Horn Fly and Face Fly typically are not attracted to these control measures since they are nesting in other areas. 

Feed Through Products  

Rabon^® Oral Larvicide is a feed through product that kills the larva stage of the Horn, Face, Stable and House Fly that lay their eggs in manure. Altosid® IGR is a (S)-methopene feed through product that prevents the Horn Fly larva from developing into adult flies. Altosid^® IGR does not control Face, Stable or House Flies. These products can be safely fed to beef cattle and dairy cattle in various feeds and supplements. The active ingredient is consumed by the animal and passes through in manure where it prevents the development of larva into adult flies. CRYSTALYX^® Brand Supplements offer a protein and mineral formula which contains either Rabon^® or Altosid^® IGR. Learn more information about Rolyx^® Pro and Rolyx^® Max products that contain Rabon^® or IGR Pro™ and IGR Max™ which contains Altosid^®.

Rabon^® is a registered trademark of Bayer HealthCare LLC, Animal Health Division, Shawnee Mission, KS.

Altosid^® IGR is a registered trademark of Wellmark International, Schaumburg, IL.

Are the Numbers Growing & What’s the Right Development Program?

The beef cow herd number in the U.S. has been on a steady downward trend since the peak of the last defined cattle cycle (mid 1990s). In Canada, the number has been an even steeper decline. Some would suggest that the cattle cycle is broken, looks different or is simply not well defined today. Record values of essentially every class of animal in the beef industry, coupled with low inventory and supplies, is leading to an outcry by many analysts and experts for herd expansion. Well, these calls are likely being heard to some extent as there is evidence of more replacement females being retained.

The USDA January 1 Cattle Inventory Report cites replacement heifer numbers up one percent to 5.2 million head. The report listed several states where the largest increase may be occurring, primarily in the Northern Plains and some Rocky Mountain states. This would probably makes sense given the drought in the Southern Plains, however that could change now as improved moisture conditions are returning to some drought stricken areas. I have also had lots of recent discussions with cattle producers and traders that would anecdotally support more replacements being held over.

Replacement heifers do get bred (or at least that’s the intent) and a lot of good research has been done on how to best achieve this. After all, the heifer is the beginning of a very large investment that takes a few years to fully achieve and win back a just reward. If indeed a lot of heifers are being held back due to price and demand, there may be more than average that don’t, or will not, measure up. If you are purchasing, select what fits you and take time to evaluate.

What Should They Weigh and When Do They Need to Be Bred?

One common benchmark in developing heifers is to have them reach a target weight of 65 percent of mature body weight by breeding and 85 percent of mature weight by calving. It’s also understood (or not) that mature weights of cows are getting larger. So, with the above benchmarks, today 65 percent of a 1400 lb cow is a 910 lb breeding heifer. Sounds pretty big doesn’t it?

Develop Heifers Under Similar Conditions They Will Experience Throughout Life

Puberty is more a function of size versus age in beef cattle, but can it be reached too aggressively? It’s relatively easy to feed healthy heifers into breeding or achieve the desired weight, but feed costs may be prohibitive in today’s $6.00+ corn reality. More recent studies have shown that targeting 50-60 percent of mature body weight may wind up in selecting a more fertile heifer long term and for less cost to develop. The breeding percentage on these replacement heifers may not be as high, but selling an open yearling heifer for the feedlot is more profitable than selling an open two-year-old cow. And those heifers that do breed are likely to be more efficient lifetime breeders. In the end, the second calf, or the second conception on a cow, is probably more important than achieving the first. A costly scenario is one where a not so efficient heifer was fed well or was perhaps over-conditioned, did breed, and then failed to rebreed the next season because she’s then treated like a cow and fed more like the rest of the herd. In addition, over-conditioned animals may have more dystocia at calving.

Feeding and supplement strategies for the above scenarios do support utilizing self-fed supplements such as Crystalyx^® with moderate to low quality forages and in good forage grazing systems. It also supports the use of Ionophores such as Bovatec^® or Rumensin^® to improve feed efficiency and growth.  Overall, we still need a breeding heifer that is in adequate body condition (six would be ideal) prior to breeding.

None of the above takes away the need for matching the type of genetics to the environment and the goals of the individual operation. Conducting breeding soundness exams for replacement heifers 1-3 months ahead of the breeding season is also a good practice in determining fertility, pelvic scores, body conformation, etc.

With today’s market and demand, there appears to be more interest in retaining more replacement heifers. This will provide opportunity for those buying, selling and developing heifers. Choose heifers that fit your program the best and follow through with nutrition programs that support cost efficient growth and reproduction.

Much of the U.S. has suffered from drought for several months.  Lack of rain obviously limits the amount of available grass. Under normal conditions, grass is the majority source the daily amounts of energy and protein required by the cow for her maintenance and production needs. Supplemental proteins, minerals, trace minerals and vitamins are fed to make up for nutritional deficiencies, which occur as grass matures.

Drought changes the normal growth curve of grass.  Not only is the quantity of grass less, the grass matures faster. If we normally start supplementing protein in September or October; we might have to start 30-45 days sooner during drought due to lower than expected grass protein levels. The following table is an example of what occurred during the 2002 drought in the Sandhills of Nebraska.

2011 Range Beef Cow Symposium, Volesky and Adams, page 206

The plants have reached maturity much earlier in the season. Their July protein analysis is more typical of a mid-September analysis. A plant tries to produce seed in order for the species to survive long term. During a drought, there is less leaf growth (quantity and percent of plant) as the plant uses the available moisture in an attempt to produce seed. So there is not only less grass to eat, the available grass is lower in quality.

2011 Range Beef Cow Symposium, Volesky and Adams, page 206

As less and less grass is available, producers start to supplement. It is important to remember a protein supplement makes up for the lower protein available when sufficient quantities of the forage are being grazed or hay being fed. It does not replace the lack of forage due to drought. Lowering the protein level in a protein supplement and increasing the fat level will increase the energy in the supplement. However, increasing the fat percentage in a one pound per head per day protein supplement from five to ten percent may sound like a significant increase in energy but the increased fat intake will not replace the energy from one pound of hay. In fact that increase in fat is less than the energy in 0.20 pounds of corn. We need to keep in mind quantities as well as quality.

CRYSTALYX® low moisture blocks are nationally known for predictable controlled consumption. Many producers use this predictability in conjunction with the web-based CRYSTALYX® Supplement Scheduler to manage their supplement delivery schedule. If available forage is severely limited, cows may spend more time consuming self-fed supplements resulting in increased daily intakes. Low moisture blocks like CRYSTALYX,® due to their physical characteristics, are more resistant to over consumption. 

Very hot, persistent temperatures where forage availability is limited are conditions that should prompt you to be monitoring intakes closely. Customer satisfaction is greatest when your cattle consume within normal intake expectations. If consumption is not at normal expected levels, you may need to evaluate the location of where blocks are placed relative to water, shade and standing forage; how much forage is available to graze; how many cattle you have stocked per barrel; etc. As environmental conditions become more stressed, management demands of your supplement program will increase dramatically over more normal conditions.

Congratulations! You made it through one of the worst droughts on record. Now that the rains have come and the grass is green again, your worries are over, right? Wrong! Now your livestock are picking up all of the parasites that lay dormant all of those months of drought. Are you ready?

Many common internal parasites including brown stomach worm (Ostertagia spp), barber pole worm (Haemonchus spp) and Coccidia (Eimeria spp) will be more prevalent after a drought. To understand why, we need to have a basic understanding of the lifecycles. While two of these parasites are worms and one is a protozoan, they all have the same basic type of lifecycle. These parasites mature inside of the host’s body and either shed oocysts or eggs via the manure. During their normal lifecycle, these hatch and eventually result in an infective stage that travels up the forages where the host animal (cattle, sheep or goat) ingests it to continue the parasitic cycle.

The catch is that these require a specific temperature and moisture level in order to hatch. When moisture isn’t available, they go into a suspended state waiting for rain. During a drought, the parasites within the animals’ bodies are still churning out eggs and oocysts; however, those that land on the pastures aren’t hatching. They just build up. After an extended drought, the parasitic challenge can be dozens of times higher due to these all hatching at the same time after a good rain. This, coupled with short pastures, ensures infection to continue the parasitic cycle.

So what can you do about it? First of all, be sure to deworm with a product like Safe-guard^® for control of internal parasites and provide a coccidia treatment to all of your livestock this spring. But don’t be surprised if your animals show signs of parasitic disease even when treated. The size of the challenge may be so great that treatments alone cannot prevent disease. Sanitation and management are going to be critical this year. Don’t skimp on high quality mineral and vitamin supplementation either! When it comes to supplementation, you really do get what you pay for. Trace minerals, particularly copper and zinc, are critical for the integrity of the mucosal lining of the digestive tract that these parasites are attacking. Additionally, they are key elements in other immunological defenses of the body. It is a well-known fact that well-fed animals recover much more quickly than livestock receiving a poor diet.

Since you know the parasite surge is coming, prepare now to give each calf, lamb or kid the best chance at survival!

Safe-guard^® is a registered trademark of Merck Animal Health, Summit, NJ.