News Update
July 26, 2011

Range Management Specialist Reviews Best Practices For Emergency Haying, CRP Grazing

Several counties in Kansas have been approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acreage due to the extreme drought and shortage of forage this year.

Several factors are important when haying or grazing prairie hay this summer, said Walt Fick, K-State Research and Extension range management specialist.

“If producers haven’t cut their hay yet, I would encourage them to do so soon. Harvest date is the most important management decision affecting hay production. Timing affects production, quality, composition, amount of regrowth, and subsequent plant vigor,” Fick said.

Producers should consider raising the cutter bar to leave at least a 3-inch (in.) stubble, he said.

Maximum yield of native hay generally occurs in August, but waiting until then results in lower quality and less regrowth, and can alter the composition and vigor of stands if done repeatedly over a number of years, Fick said. Plus, peak yield may have already occurred in drought-stricken counties this year. The quality of prairie hay will keep declining with time.

“Crude protein declines about 1 percentage unit every two weeks during the month of July, and will be no higher than 5% by late August when maximum yield normally occurs,” he said.

The timing of haying on species composition and vigor of stands can also be important, Fick added.

“Repeated mowing around Sept. 1 can change a bluestem-dominated hay meadow to a stand dominated by broadleaf species. The change occurs because the grasses do not have a sufficient time period to replenish food reserves before frost occurs,” he explained.

Grazing of prairie hay this year should be managed carefully, the agronomist said.

“Heavy grazing in the late summer can be detrimental to next year’s production. The key is stocking rate. We need to leave enough leaf area so the plants can continue to carry out photosynthesis and store food reserves going into the winter,” Fick said.

How much leaf area is enough? In CRP stands planted with mid-size and tall grasses, a 6- to 8-in.average stubble height, or about 1,000 to 1,500 pounds (lb.) per acre, would be optimum, he said.

Forage quality will also be low in the late season and livestock producers may want to consider how this could affect the management of their cow herds, including culling decisions, early weaning, and related practices, the range management specialist said.

— Release by K-State Research & Extension.

Beef Herd Owner Can Control Genetics, Key to Market Premiums

Genetics make a difference in a beef herd. And stacked genetics make an even bigger difference, says Mike Kasten, owner of 4M Ranch, Millersville, Mo.

“The only aspect of a cattle operation that we as producers have total control over is genetics,” Kasten says in notes he will share with beef producers at a national conference in Joplin, Mo.

“You can’t control the weather, prices or politics. But you can control the genetic makeup of your herd.” 

Kasten has used artificial insemination (AI) in his Bollinger County cow herd for 37 years. That has given him generations of cows with improved genetics.

He will speak at the Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle conference Aug. 31-Sept. 1. A large attendance of producers is expected from Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas, says David Patterson, University of Missouri (MU) Extension beef reproduction specialist, Columbia. The program attracts a national audience.

“Just as important as using AI, Kasten keeps computerized herd records,” Patterson says. “That gives him control of management.”

From his computer, Kasten prints out the value of genetic improvement. Calves from two or more generations of superior genetics are worth an extra $177.48 per calf. That’s above using a proven sire on the first-generation cows.

Kasten sells Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifers. Also, he retains and feeds out steers, half-sibs of the genetically superior heifers.

His records show a steady increase in USDA Prime-grade cattle going to market from a Kansas feedyard. The Prime and Choice grades draw price premiums from packer grids when he sells cattle.

Kasten’s records aren’t sophisticated. “A person could pick apart these data,” Kasten says. “But the proven genetics has brought back more money. Adjustments in numbers won’t change that fact.” 

At the Joplin conference, Kasten will go into detail on his proven management plans. He also provides beef herd management and AI breeding for neighboring herds. 

Kasten provided the herd for the first field demonstration for Fixed Timed Artificial Insemination (FTAI) developed by Patterson when he came to the MU from Kentucky 15 years ago. 

Kasten says he had tried everything to improve his calf crop. “I used pregnant mare serum. I tried removing calves at breeding time. Nothing worked remotely as well as the fixed-time AI protocols we use today. 

“We no longer observe heat at all,” Kasten says. “We just breed when the calendar and clock say that it’s time.”

The result is a 60%-70% fixed-time-AI pregnancy rate on the first day of breeding season.

Timed AI shortens the calving season, producing a more uniform calf crop. “The time and labor savings, coupled with better results, make the fixed-time breeding system very appealing,” Kasten says.

Patterson adds, “It’s often possible to get better results with timed AI than with bulls.”

Kasten likes the convenience of FTAI. But the greater value comes from superior proven sires. That boosts the value of the calves — and the cows retained in the herd.

The ARSBC conference goes to a different state each year. Originally, the meetings featured beef physiologists from land-grant universities. Now the meetings appeal to a broad audience in the beef industry, from veterinarians to suppliers. 

This year, increased attention is on a program for herd owners. “They will hear the latest research results — and the farmer reports,” Patterson says.

In addition to talks at the Joplin Expo Center, the group will go to Joplin Regional Stockyards for a grilled steak dinner and working demonstrations.

Attendees will receive printed proceedings with speakers’ talks. “This will become the textbook for beef reproduction,” Patterson predicts.

Advance registration is required through the MU Conference Office. Go to the website at http://muconf.missouri.edu/arsbc/. For coverage, visit www.appliedreprostrategies.com, an event coverage site hosted by Angus Productions Inc. and sponsored by the Beef Reproductive Task Force; SEK Genetics Inc., Don Coover, Galesburg, Kan.; and LiveAuction.tv, Brad Fahrmeier, Lexington, Mo.

Registration by Aug. 10 is $175. That includes some meals, a book and bus ride on the field trip. For late registration, add $25. Student rates are $100.

Lodging is in the Holiday Inn, Joplin, at 417-782-1000. The special rate of $75 expires July 31.

— Adapted from release by the MU Cooperative Media Group.

Beef Shortage Means Hold On To The Cows

The quantity of beef available to consumers in the United States has declined a startling amount in recent years, and that trend is going to continue. Unfortunately, even higher retail beef prices can be expected for consumers, said Chris Hurt, a Purdue University Extension economist.

“The declining supplies are related to continuing liquidation of the cow herd in the past few years due to high feed prices, a weak U.S. dollar that is spurring beef exports, and, of course, drought in the Southwest and Southeast. Declining supplies will support prices across the cattle complex at new record highs in 2011 and again in 2012,” he said. 

The USDA estimate of the inventory of beef cows on July 1 showed a further decline of 1% in the past year. Since 2007, when feed prices were still moderate, beef cow numbers have dropped 5%. More alarming is the decline in beef available to U.S. consumers as cow numbers were dropping and foreign consumers have been buying much more of the U.S. production, he said.

In 2006 and 2007, before feed prices surged, U.S. consumers had more than 65 lb. of beef available per person. This year, USDA analysts expect that to be down to 57.9 lb. and to drop again to only 55.6 lb. per person in 2012, he said. 

“This represents a 15% reduction in available supplies during the high-feed price era. The drought in the Southern Plains and Southeast this year is continuing the herd reduction due to extreme shortages and high prices of forages. In addition, recent heat stress is thought to be causing higher death losses that will also contribute to smaller supplies,” he said.

Beef trade is back as a contributor to beef prices as well. In 2003, beef exports reached a record, representing 9.6% of domestic production. The discovery of a BSE cow late that year caused most buyers to shun U.S. beef with exports dropping to just 2.3% of production in 2004, Hurt said.

“It has taken a long time, but 2011 is expected to see a record 10% of U.S. production heading to foreign consumers,” he said.

There have been several drivers of higher exports. One was the re-opening of the South Korean market in July 2008 after they banned U.S. beef in late 2003. Although South Korea was our fourth-largest buyer in 2010, they have jumped to the second-largest buyer in 2011 with purchases so far this year more than double the same period in 2010, he said. 

“Japanese purchases are up over 50%, which is probably also related to the earthquake/tsunami disaster there,” Hurt said.

There is a more fundamental driver of favorable beef trade patterns for U.S. producers, however, and that is the weakness of the U.S. dollar. A weak U.S. dollar implies that some foreign currencies are strengthening and providing incentives for both more beef exports and less beef imports, he noted.

“U.S. beef imports from New Zealand, Australia and Canada are down 6%, 25% and 26% this year, whereas imports from Australia are off 89%. These are the four largest sources of U.S. beef imports,” he said.

Beef exports so far this year are up 27%, with large increases to three of our four largest customers: Canada, Japan and South Korea, he said. 

“In fact, the U.S. became a net exporter of beef beginning in September 2010. This is the first time in modern history that the beef industry has exported more beef than they imported. So far this year the United States has a net trade surplus of over 2% of production. This compares with a nearly 2% trade deficit in the same period last year, meaning about 4% less supplies available to American consumers due to changes in trade,” Hurt said.

Placements into feedlots in June were surprisingly high, at 4% higher than placements a year earlier. The larger placements were due to a rapid movement of calves weighing less than 700 lb. into feedlots. This was probably related to some backgrounders running out of feed and to lower feed prices in June that gave feedlot managers more confidence in potential positive margins, Hurt said.

“Finished cattle prices are expected to reach summer lows in late August in the $106 to $110 range, similar to current prices. As the weather cools into September, prices are expected to rise seasonally and to average $112 to $116 in the final quarter. For the entire year, this will mean averages of $109 to $112,” he said.

First and second quarter prices in 2012 are expected to set records once again with quarterly averages climbing to $115 to $120. Peak seasonal prices in the early spring of 2012 could reach $125, he added. 

“Calf prices this fall will be further strengthened if corn and soybean yields can approach normal levels and corn prices drop 70 to 90¢ per bushel from summer levels. The clear message for beef producers is to hold on to cows as the beef industry has a positive outlook for a number of years to come,” he said.

— Release by University of Illinois ACES News Service.

Livestock Producers Beware: Watch for Toxic Blue-Green Algae

Among the problems arising from this summer’s extended heat wave is the potential for toxic blue-green algae (BGA) to show up in lakes and ponds.

“Blue-green algae is typically only a problem during the hottest part of the summer,” said Kansas State University (K-State) Veterinarian Larry Hollis. “It appears that we are seeing an increase in cases this year because of the extended heat period and/or lack of additional rain.”

As in much of the country, July temperatures in Kansas have soared near or above 100° F for numerous consecutive days.

The algae are toxic to humans, as well as animals.

Livestock species often serve as sentinels for human illness, said Hollis, who specializes in beef cattle care with K-State Research and Extension.

The conditions have prompted the Kansas state public health veterinarian and the K-State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (KSVDL) to issue a joint request to Kansas veterinarians, asking that they report suspected illness in animals due to BGA. Such reports go to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Epidemiology Hotline at 1-877-427-7317, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Most of the samples the diagnostic lab has tested so far this summer have had BGA present, sometimes in very high numbers, Hollis said.

BGA details for humans and animals

Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are prominent in Kansas waters. And, under certain conditions, harmful algal blooms (also called HABs) produce toxins that pose a health risk to people and animals, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). The toxins have been responsible for the deaths of several dogs.

These blooms are an emerging public health issue in Kansas. In 2010, public health advisories or warnings were issued for public waters in seven counties, due to HABs.

So far in 2011, the KDHE has received reports of at least two cases of human illness due to contact with HABs. An interactive by-county Kansas map at http://maps.kdhe.state.ks.us/bgacountycurrent/ displays the lakes currently implicated by HAB reports.

Cyanobacteria and their toxins in fresh waters have been associated with human and animal illness in at least 36 U.S. states. The greatest risk of adverse human health effects is after exposure through ingestion or inhalation of water droplets and cyanobacterial cells during recreational activities, such as swimming and water skiing. Skin contact with high concentrations of cyanobacteria, independent of the level of toxins, may also cause adverse health effects.

Human health effects can vary and are dependent upon the type of toxin and route of exposure. The most common complaints after recreational exposure include vomiting, diarrhea, skin rashes, eye irritation and respiratory symptoms.

Cyanobacterial toxins are classified in two categories: hepatotoxins and neurotoxins. The most common in Kansas is Microcystis species, which produce hepatotoxins. But, blooms of Anabaena spp., which produce neurotoxins, have been identified recently.

Some animals become ill after swimming in contaminated waters and grooming their coat after it dries. The first signs of animals’ blue-green algae poisoning usually occur within 30 minutes of exposure and include vomiting and diarrhea. These symptoms are followed by progressively worsening signs of liver failure, such as anorexia, lethargy and depression. Jaundice, abdominal swelling and tenderness in the abdominal area may also occur. Blood values of liver enzymes are typically very high.

If an animal survives the initial phase of liver failure, neurological dysfunction that’s secondary to liver failure is possible. If a neurotoxin is involved, neurological signs can occur minutes to hours following exposure and may include tremors, salivation, seizures, weakness and respiratory paralysis. Acute deaths are possible if the toxin dose is high.

No specific antidote is available, according to KDHE. Handlers should bathe animals’ contaminated skin, but wear protective clothing and gloves to prevent their own skin contact.

Livestock producers and pet owners also should contact their veterinarian if they think an animal has been exposed to BGA. The prognosis is poor for animals that develop severe liver failure.

The basis for diagnosis in animals is usually clinical signs and the presence of cyanobacteria in water the animal has contacted.

Identification of cyanobacteria in water, stomach contents and hair coat samples is available at the KSVDL in Manhattan. The laboratory can be contacted at 785-532-5678 to coordinate sample and specimen submission.

More information, including current public health advisories, warnings and instructions on how to report a suspected case of blue-green algae poisoning, is available at the KDHE website
www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm.

— Release by K-State Research & Extension.

— Compiled by Linda Robbins and Shauna Rose Hermel, Angus Productions Inc.