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Pasture to Market Providing beef cattle industry information for Louisiana cattle producers

March—April 2017

Make sure your bulls are ready—Breeding season is approaching quickly and we need to think ahead and not be surprised

by any issue that can arise. Some of you may have purchased, or are about to purchase, one or more sires for your operation.

Once you go through the selection and purchase of the appropriate bull for your program and transport him to your farm, then

starts the significant, but not usually understood process, of getting that bull adapted to your operation. Remember that this

new bull is an investment, and he will be responsible for quite a few calves, depending on how you manage your herd. I am

sure you also want him to maximize his longevity in your herd. Then where do you start? First and foremost, if you have not

done it already (this should be done before buying the bull), ask the seller what he was feeding the bull; in essence, what was

the nutrition program that your bull was raised on. Why is this important? Mainly because a lot of bulls are raised on a high

density energy diet that includes some type of grain (corn, sorghum, etc.). Many times these bulls are gaining 3-3.5 pounds per

day if they are in a “test” facility. If a bull that has been gaining that much weight and probably has a high condition score (7 or

more), many times in conditions in which they do not need to walk too much for feed, water and shade, you don’t want to

place him in a pasture of dormant bermudagrass or even annual ryegrass. He will need to go through a transition diet (gradually

decreasing energy concentration) to meet the requirements of still-growing animal. Remember that bulls must maintain good

fertility and libido, and for this you need to make sure that their diet includes their requirements for protein, energy, macro

and micro minerals and vitamins. If bulls were on a high energy diet when you purchased them then keep them for a couple of

weeks on 70 percent of the energy intake they used to have. It is important that bulls are gaining weight as breeding season

approaches. A gain of 2.0 to 2.5 pounds per day is a good target; however, work with your Extension agent to make sure that

you are feeding the bull appropriately. Another consideration is the space available for the new bull. Bulls need enough space

to keep their distance from each other, especially from dominant bulls. This space will also give bulls the chance to exercise as

part of the process of getting ready for the breeding season. Finally, herd health and breeding soundness exams are a must.

Bulls should be vaccinated and treated for parasites before you pick them up, but be aware that they will need, more than

likely, a booster vaccination. Vaccinations for reproductive diseases will be needed unless you are purchasing virgin bulls.

Consult your veterinarian for health-related issues such as these. It is your responsibility to ask your bull provider about the

breeding soundness exam results for the bulls of your interest. If you buy one with no exam, or for bulls that are on your ranch,

do this exam at least 60 days prior to the breeding season, so that, if you have any bull that fails the test, you have enough time

to get a new one. This test will tell you if the animal is sound and fertile; however, it will not tell you about his libido or sex

drive (desire to breed cows). This factor brings us to the breeding season. After turnout, make sure that bulls are actually

working. Even though you need to check them all, make sure you dedicate more time to observe the yearling bulls. They may

have passed the breeding soundness exam with flying colors but if they don’t have the sex drive, you may end up with many

open cows. Once into the breeding season, minimize heat stress by providing the herd with fresh water and enough shade for

them to stay comfortable during the hottest hours of the day. If for any reason you need to handle cattle, do it in early morning

and do not work cattle after 10:00 am.

I know that most of the time, once the breeding season is over, many bulls end up in the worst pasture at the back of the farm

and are checked every now and then. They are a huge asset in your operation and they are expensive. They should have the

same degree of attention as the rest of the herd. Watch for body condition, foot problems, general health and make sure they

receive appropriate nutrition that improves their fertility and immune system. These factors are even more important in young

bulls, since they are still growing.

Best wishes for this year—Dr. Guillermo Scaglia, LSU AgCenter Iberia Research Station

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Use of Baleage in a Cow/Calf Operation

What is baleage or bale silage?

Is it wet hay? No, wet hay molds and is unpalatable to cattle.

Is it haylage? No, haylage or grass silage is chopped forage that has usually been wilted in the field, chopped with a precision silage

cutter to 0.5 inch theoretical length and stored in a bag, trench or upright silo.

Baleage or bale silage is the silage crop resulting from full length forage that has been wilted in the field to about 50% moisture, baled,

and wrapped with stretch plastic to exclude oxygen.

Hay Quality in Louisiana—Eight Year Average (Han et al., 2007)

Hay Type Protein, % TDN, %

Bahia 8.2 50

Bermuda 10.0 53

Crabgrass 9.5 51

Ryegrass 11 57

Clover 15 59

Alfalfa 21 65

Common reasons (or in some cases excuses) for making low quality hay:

Too much rain

Not enough rain

Fertilizer too expensive

Waiting for grass to grow more

Custom hay baler out of town

Equipment in need of repair

Not enough time….rain coming in a day or two

Forage Drying Intervals for Baleage Production (approximately 50% dry matter)

Forage Type Average (hours) Range (hours)

Bahia 4 1-24

Bermuda 4 1-24

Crabgrass 24 4-30

Ryegrass 48 12-96

Alfalfa 24 4-30

Sorghum/millet 48 24-72

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Advantages of Bale Silage vs. Dry Hay:

Lower field losses (rain event losses)

Lower storage losses than outdoor stored hay

Timely harvesting of grass, i.e. higher quality forage

High consumption—lower feedout losses

Reduced supplement feeding (if good baleage practices)

Improved animal performance

Average overall (storage to feedout) baleage waste = 8%

compared to average overall hay waste = 25%

Bale Silage Disadvantages:

Wrapper costs, bale movers, and high moisture bailer kits

Plastic costs

Increased labor (single bale wrappers)

Plastic disposal

Ensiling failures

Keys to Making High Quality Baleage:

Harvest at proper stage of maturity (early boot stage for grasses and bud to 1/10 bloom for legumes).

For ryegrass baleage—clip or graze to 3-4 inches and apply 50-70 lbs. of nitrogen per acre.

Wilt forage to reduce forage moisture content to about 50% (± 10%).

Wrap in 4-6 layers of stretch film to exclude oxygen.

Allow to ferment a minimum of 30 days (preferably 60 days) prior to feeding.

Baleage Management:

Reduce bales size compared to conventional dry hay.

Use plastic twine or net wrap.

Use bale handlers to avoid tears (single bale wrappers)

Store bales on well drained sites and reapair any holes in plastic ASAP.

Separate baleage harvested at different times/maturities and get samples for forage analysis.

Quality of Baleage Crops with Varying % Dry Matter

Crop % Dry Matter % Crude Protein % Total Digestible Nutrients

Ryegrass 29.2 17.9 65.7

Signalgrass 43.1 19.7 63.3

Bermudagrass 44.1 13.2 60.6

Sorghum 25.2 15.8 59.4

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Private Pesticide Applicator License Holders: Don’t forget to check the expiration date on your license! If

it will be expiring March 31,2017, check with your local LSU AgCenter office to find a recertification

session near you!

Acadiana Beef Cattle Producers Field Day—

Date: Saturday, March 18, 20167

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Place: Iberia Research Station, Jeanerette

Registration starts at 8:00 a.m.

Indoor Program

Market Report

Update on BQA and antibiotics use

Marketing strategies for your calf crop

Outdoor Program

Impact of management on shrink

Winter forage alternatives

Ryegrass varieties under grazing;

nitrogen/clovers mgt. in winter pastures

Master Farmer Program

Door Prizes and Lunch Provided

Sponsors: LSU AgCenter, LFGC & LCA

Summary:

Forage production goals: 1)To harvest the highest quality forage possible with 2)minimal nutrient lost 3)so we can minimize purchased

feed cost as much as possible and 4)optimize animal performance and health.

To be successful in bale silage production: 1)select a forage crop that fits needs of your livestock operation. 2)harvest forage at an

immature stage. 3)wilt forage to 40%-60% dry matter. 4)exclude oxygen by wrapping in 4-6 layers of stretch plastic.

Suitable warm season perennial crops for beef cows include bahia, dallis and bermuda grasses.

Best crops for growing calves are ryegrass, crabgrass and summer annuals (sorghum, millet).

Economic viability for adopting the bale silage system is dependent on lower field and storage losses, higher forage intake if harvesting

at the correct stage of maturity, reduced supplemental feeding, and/or improved animal performance. (Also see LSU AgCenter

publication number 3330 “Economics of Baleage for Beef Cattle Operations”)

Larger beef enterprises that add on-farm gain to their calf crop (stocker calves) should realize the largest benefit from adopting the bale

silage system. -Jason E. Holmes, LSU AgCenter

Test your

knowledge of beef

cattle structure &

parts…. Answers at bottom of page 5

Image courtesy: Ohio State University Extension

Northwest La. Beef & Forage Field Day—

Date: Thursday, April 27, 2017

Time: 8:30 a.m.—1:00 p.m.

Place: Red River Research Station, Bossier City

Registration starts at 8:00 a.m.

Program will include:

Market Outlook

Injection and Proper Handling Demonstration

What’s New in the Vaccine World

Coated Fertilizer—Fertilizer & Herbicide All-in-One

Fence Line Weed Control

Dalisgrass Research Update

Lunch Provided

**More information will be coming soon**

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Factors affecting bred cow value—Bred cows vary in value according to a number of factors including age; quality; weight;

stage of gestation; hide color; time of year and location. Research at Oklahoma State University has examined 15 years of

auction data in Oklahoma to determine the impact of these factors on commercial bred cow value. Purebred cows are more

commonly marketed by private treaty or in production sales but the general relative impact of value factors identified in the

auction study is likely to be similar.

In the latest weekly combined Oklahoma auction data, bred cow values are reported in a range from $735 to $1585/head. The

research model would suggest that the base value of a four year old (fourth gestation), average quality cow, weighing 12-1300

pounds and 5 months bred is $1000-$1050/head. This estimate is consistent with the reported market data. Changes in any of

these characteristics impact the value of the bred cow. All value differences below are based on current average market

levels. Price adjustments are based on percentages which means that the dollar value of price adjustments will be different at

lower or higher average market price levels.

Young cows have the highest lifetime production potential and thus first-calf heifers have the highest average value, about

$35 /head more than the four year-old base cow. Cows show only modest price decreases through age six then drop

sharply. For example, an eight year old cow will have a value about $110/cow less than the four year-old cow. Compared to

the 12-1300 base weight, a bred cow weighing 14-1500 pounds will have an average value about $50/head higher. In contrast,

a cow weighing 900-1000 pounds will have a value $85/head less compared to the base cow. Stage of gestation also impacts

bred cow value with a first trimester bred cow valued roughly $50/head lower than a mid-trimester cow. Value increases for

late gestation cows up to eight months bred by about $55/head over mid-trimester cows. However, bred cow value drops

after eight months bred when cows are extremely close to calving.

Cow quality has a significant impact on bred cow value with high quality cows bringing about 14 percent higher value

compared to average quality while low quality cows bring about 15 percent lower than an average quality cow. In the example

above, that means roughly $150/head more for high quality to $150/head less for a low quality cow compared to average

quality. Apart from quality, hide color affects value. The auction data does not report breeds but does distinguish black

colored animals from all others. A black-hided cow brings an average premium of nearly seven percent or $70/head more in

the current market. In Oklahoma, bred cow values peak in March and are seasonally lowest in October, with generally low

values from June through October. At current market levels, the seasonal swing in bred cow value would be about $140/head

from the March peak to the October low.

The effects reported above are additive and it is easy to see why a wide range of bred cow values are reported. Using the

research model and current market conditions (and holding cow weight and the time of year constant) various combinations of

age, quality, gestation, and hide-color result in a range of bred cow value estimates from about $730 to $1300 per head. The

research model appears to be capturing current average bred cow values reasonably accurately. However, demand for high

quality cows appears to be stronger than usual with current values for high quality cows in Oklahoma reported at roughly

$1550/head or $200-$250 per head higher than the research model would predict. This is likely another indication that herd

expansion is still going strong.—Cow/Calf Corner, The Newsletter from the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Feb. 20,

2017; Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist

1 poll

2 ear

3 face

4 muzzle

5 throat

6 dewlap

7 point of shoulder

8 brisket

9 forearm

10 knee

11 hoof

12 rib

13 belly

14 hook

15 quarter

16 sheath or navel

17 rear flank

18 pastern

19 dew claw

20 cannon bone

21 hock

22 switch

23 stifle joint

24 pin

25 tail head

26 rump

27 loin

28 back

29 heart girth

30 crest

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Dr. Kurt M. Guidry—LSU AgCenter

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March—April Beef Cattle Management Tips:

Below are some all-purpose management tips in an abbreviated format that cattle producers should consider for the months indicated.

“General” management tips are intended to fit all situations while the “spring calving - January, February, March” and “fall calving -

October, November, December” tips are for those specific calving programs. Some producers are likely aware of each tip and have incorpo-

rated many into their management programs. Other producers may find these tips to be suggestions to consider in their future manage-

ment. Regardless, every producer will have to consider how a specific tip might be adapted to fit their individual situation, and some

modification of the times provided will be expected. Severe environmental conditions will also dictate some modification of the tips

depending on the severity in each location. A more detailed description of management opportunities can be found in numerous AgCenter

publications available in the local parish extension office or on the web. Additional scheduling and management details in a worksheet

format are available on-line from the LSU AgCenter in the Monthly Beef Cattle Management Calendar & Workbook at:

http://text.lsuagcenter.com/en/crops_livestock/livestock/beef_cattle/production_management/Workbook.

Month Management Tip

March general 1. Continue feeding high magnesium supplement to cows on winter grazing

2. Monitor winter pasture stubble height; keep about 4”

spring calving 1. For a January 10 - March 30 calving season, bulls need to go in April 1 - June 20. Make sure bulls are in good condition and conduct breeding soundness exams 2. Cows need to be in moderate to good condition to rebreed early. You may need to start feed-ing your best hay and put them on your best grazing now. Supplement as needed according to forage test

3. Start breeding heifers about a month before the cow herd

fall calving 1. Remove bulls March 23rd to end calving season about December 31st

2. Keep bulls in small pastures with strong fences. Feed bulls enough to keep them in good con-dition for next year’s breeding season 3. Spot check cows to see if most are bred. By now, there should be little activity

4. Vaccinate for clostridial disease, castrate and dehorn late calves or those missed in early working

April general 1. Keep a close watch on pasture conditions. Continue supplemental feeding until grass is plentiful

2. Fertilize permanent pastures according to soil test

3. Start watching for flies. Order fly control products to be ready when treatment warrants. Con-sider the type tags or sprays used last year. Change from organophosphate to pyrethroid or vise versa 4. Use all outside stores of hay; clean out hay storage areas for new hay

1. For calving to begin around January 10th, bulls need to be put in with cows on April 1st

2. Check condition of bulls during the breeding season. Provide supplemental feed if needed

3. Prepare to remove bulls from cow herd after a 45-60 day breeding season. Spot check for breeding activity 4. Cows need to be in moderate to good condition to rebreed. Provide supplemental feed if spring pastures are slow to emerge from dormancy

1. To precondition for marketing, calves should be vaccinated for respiratory diseases 45 days prior to shipment. Consult with your local veterinarian now for product recommenda-tions so these vaccines can be ordered

2. Pregnancy check 45-60 days after the end of breeding season

3. Brand or otherwise establish permanent ID’s for bred heifers

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If you received this newsletter via email you will continue to receive it unless you “unsubscribe.” To unsubscribe from or subscribe to this bi-monthly emailed newsletter, send an email to the address below with “subscribe” or “unsubscribe” in the subject line.

March—April 2017

Jason E. Holmes

Regional Livestock Specialist

County Agent

LSU AgCenter—Union Parish

318-368-2999 (office) / 318-243-4931

Prolapses in beef cows—Prolapses occur occasionally in beef cows. Most prolapses occur very near the time of calving. Two

distinct kinds of prolapse exist.

Uterine prolapse usually occurs at calving or soon after calving. If the uterus becomes badly traumatized before treating, the

animal may die from shock or hemorrhage. Uterine prolapse requires immediate attention and if treated soon, most animals

have an uneventful recovery. Some may suffer uterine damage or infection that prevents or delays conception and should

therefore be culled. If they subsequently rebreed and become pregnant on schedule, there is no reason to cull animals

suffering uterine prolapse after calving. Uterine prolapse is not likely to reoccur. Female offspring are not genetically

predisposed to prolapses.

Vaginal prolapse, however, that which occurs before calving is a heritable trait and is likely to reoccur each year during late

pregnancy. Such animals should not be kept in the herd. The condition will eventually result in the loss of cow, calf, or both,

plus her female offspring would be predisposed to vaginal prolapse. Call your local large animal veterinarian for proper

treatment, or advice about culling of any beef female that has been found to have a prolapse.

Research (Patterson, et al, 1981) from the USDA station at Miles City, Montana, reported that 153 calvings of 13,296 calvings

from a 14-year span were associated with prolapse of the reproductive tract. Of those 153 prolapses, 124 (81%) were vaginal

prolapses and 29 (19%) were uterine prolapses. The subsequent pregnancy rate following prolapse among first calf heifers was

28% and the pregnancy rate among adult cows following a prolapsed was only 57.9%.—Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University

Emeritus Extension Animal Scientist

Week of Week of Week of

Data Source: USDA-AMS Market News 3/3/2017 2/24/2017 3/4/2016

5-Area Fed Steer

all grades, live weight, $/cwt $ 124.40 $ 119.59 $ 135.76

all grades, dressed weight, $/cwt $ 195.90 $ 189.91 $ 213.91

Boxed Beef

Choice Price, 600-900 lb., $/cwt $ 205.84 $ 194.48 $ 219.22

Choice-Select Spread, $/cwt $ 4.03 $ 2.61 $ 6.94

500-600 lb. Feeder Steer

Price

Mississippi statewide market average, M&L #1-2, $/cwt $ 137.00 $ 135.50 $ 175.00

Missouri statewide market average, M&L #1, $/cwt $ 145.06 $ 156.38 $ 197.04

Oklahoma City market average, M&L #1, $/cwt $ 153.99 $ 155.42 $ 192.92

Feed Grains

Corn, Kansas City, $/bu $ 3.51 $ 3.48 $ 3.53

Corn, Pine Bluff, AR, $/bu $ 3.76 $ 3.71 $ 3.67

DDGS, Eastern Corn Belt, $/ton $ 100.00 $ 99.00 $ 141.50

Soybean Meal, Rail, Central IL, $/ton $ 330.80 $ 328.30 $ 271.40

Cottonseed Meal, Memphis, $/ton $ 220.00 $ 217.50 $ 227.50

Whole Cottonseed, Memphis, $/ton $ 185.00 $ 195.00 $ 257.50