News Update
Feb. 10, 2009

Spring Oat Planting Time Near In Kansas

The optimum time to plant spring oats in Kansas is fast approaching, said Vic Martin, Kansas State University (K-State) Research and Extension annual forages and alternative crops specialist at the South Central Experiment Field near Hutchinson.

Martin outlined several benefits to planting spring oats.

“Over the last several years, cattle producers have found spring oats to provide excellent spring pasture and hay,” he said. “Oat seed is inexpensive and with reasonable fertilizer inputs, it can provide an excellent bridge for producers short on available pasture in April and May until perennial pasture or summer annual forage production becomes available.” 

The optimal planting date for spring oats depends on location, he added.

“In southeast Kansas, the optimal date ranges from February 20 to March 15. In northwest Kansas, the optimal date is from the first week of March through the end of March. For most of the state, planting is recommended from late February through mid-March,” he said.

Oat pasture should be treated the same as winter wheat pasture in terms of stocking rates and time to initiate grazing, Martin said. Since grain production is not practical or recommended when oats are grazed, producers should treat oat pasture as a graze-out program or remove it when ready for the next crop. Oats are easily controlled by a variety of herbicides, such as glyphosate and atrazine.

Properly stored, oat hay also provides a high-quality feed source, he added.

“Studies at K-State’s South Central Experiment Field near Hutchinson indicate hay yields of three to five tons per acre are typical under average weather conditions. Hay yield was determined at late milk/early dough stage, with an average moisture content of 60%,” Martin said.

These hay yields were obtained with 75 pounds (lb.) per acre of nitrogen applied preplant and an additional 50 lb. per acre of nitrogen broadcast approximately six weeks after emergence, he said. Lower total nitrogen rates will result in adequate forage production, especially hay. However, to maximize grazing opportunities, it is important to supply adequate nitrogen. 

For hay, late boot to early heading is the optimal timing to balance quantity with quality considerations, he added. “Harvested at the dough stage, hay should have an approximate total digestible nutrients (TDN) level of 56% with 10% protein, both on a dry basis. A nitrate test is recommended. Prussic acid levels should not be a concern,” he said.

Silage is another option for spring oats. “Oats should be harvested for silage from late milk through early dough stages. Expect silage with a TDN of approximately 60% and 9% protein on a dry weight basis,” the agronomist said.

Finally, oats in Kansas may be planted for grain with expected yields of 50 or more bushels (bu.) per acre most years, Martin said. “However, typical growing conditions during grain fill normally result in low test weights, making the grain unsuitable for food use. Grain from oats is acceptable as livestock feed; however, a market should be identified prior to planting since few markets exist locally,” he said.

More information is available in the K-State publication MF-1072 “Small Grain Cereals for Forage” at: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/crpsl2/MF1072.pdf.

— Release provide by K-State Research and Extension.

Beef Checkoff News

Researchers from across the country gathered at a checkoff-funded summit titled “Ethanol Co-Products — Beef Product Implications” in November 2006 to develop a summary of existing research and establish future research needs. As a response to those identified needs and in an effort to determine the impact of feeding high levels of ethanol co-products (e.g., distillers’ grains) on beef end product quality and safety, the beef checkoff funded a total of six research projects.

Four projects focused on beef quality research:

• Chris Calkins, University of Nebraska — “Wet Distillers’ Grains - Effect on Beef Quality”
  
• Jim Drouillard, K-State — “Quality and Composition of Beef from Cattle Fed Distillers’ Grains is Similar to Traditional Beef”
  
• Scott Lake, Purdue University — “Effects of Dietary Fat and Crude Protein on Feedlot Performance and Carcass Characteristics in Steers Fed Differing Levels of Distillers’ Dried Grains with Solubles”
  
• Jim MacDonald, Texas AgriLife Research–Amarillo — “Marbling Attributes and Sensory Ratings of Beef Loins Resulting from Dietary Distillers’ Grains Inclusion in Combination with Two Corn Processing Methods”

Two projects focused on beef safety research:

• Jim Drouillard - “Distillers’ Grains did not Increase E. coli O157:H7 in Feedlot Steers”
  
• Jim Wells, USDA-ARS Meat Animal Research Center — “Effects of Feeding Distillers’ Grains on Level and Prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Feedlot Cattle”
  

“Many questions have been asked about the impact of distiller’s grains on beef quality and safety,” says Craig Uden, vice chair of the industry’s Research, Education and Innovation Group, and producer from Elwood, Neb. “The checkoff is funding these research projects in direct response to the questions raised at the Summit.”

The results of these research projects add to the body of knowledge the entire industry is compiling to determine the effects of using distillers’ grains in cattle diets and their impact on product quality and safety. These studies have identified additional knowledge gaps the checkoff and the industry will continue to address. “As our industry and production practices evolve and change, the checkoff continues to be a leader in the area of beef quality and safety research,” adds Uden. “Any steps we can take to let producers know what the consumer is demanding helps our bottom line. Our commitment as producers is to provide a healthy, great-tasting beef product to consumers and checkoff-funded research helps us to deliver just that.” More information about checkoff-funded research projects can be found at www.beefresearch.org.

— Provided by Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board.

Estrous Synchronization Webinar

The Beef Cattle Clearinghouse eXtension Community of Practice is offering an opportunity to learn more about the understanding and application of estrous synchronization protocols for beef cows and heifers. With the breeding season quickly approaching, it is not too early to start the planning process. This webinar will help sort out synchronizing protocols that are used for heifers and cows and application of those protocols. The webinar will be presented by Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University and Les Anderson, University of Kentucky.

Selk and Anderson are beef cattle specialists with a focus in beef cattle reproduction. They have a tremendous ability to help you understand this information and answer any questions that you might have. You can view this webinar from your home or office computer, or as part of a program at the Extension office.

Join Selk and Anderson for this webinar event scheduled March 25, 2009, from 12:00 p.m.  to 1:15 p.m. CST. At the meeting time, simply click on the following link or copy and paste it into your browser to enter the meeting: http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/beefcattle/.

When you go to that URL you will find yourself at a login page. Simply enter your name under the “Enter as a Guest” heading. Click on “Enter Room.” The instructions that detail how to join the integrated phone audio conference will be on the screen when you join the meeting.

Anytime before the meeting you can visit the following URL to confirm your ability to connect to the connect server, http://www.extension.iastate.edu/testconnect/.

This webinar is being presented by the Beef Cattle Clearinghouse eXtension Community of Practice.

— Release provided byBeef Cattle Clearinghouse eXtension Community of Practice.

— compiled by Mathew Elliott, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.