News Update
August 23, 2017
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Extending the grazing season can help reduce production costs, since harvested feed during winter is the most expensive aspect of raising beef cattle. In dry climates ranchers often run short on late-summer and fall pasture, however, when productivity of cool-season perennial grasses is diminished during summer heat. There are various ways to increase forage production/utilization to ensure adequate fall grazing or sometimes enable cattle to graze through winter.
One method commonly used is to stockpile pastures, grazing them later in the season. Jerry Volesky, range and forage specialist at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s West Central Research and Extension Center, says this practice works well in many situations.
The other option is to utilize perennial forages that were just lightly grazed during the summer, leaving a lot of biomass in the pasture for winter grazing.
“Annual forages like pearl millet or sorghum-Sudan grass hybrids can be planted in summer and utilized in late fall,” says Volesky. Some producers plant sorghum-Sudan grass and cut it once for hay. Rather than cutting the regrowth for a second cutting, it can be left growing until frost.
Continue reading this Angus Journal article online.
United States and Canadian Cattle
The inventory of cattle in the United States and Canada is up 4% from 2015.
All cattle and calves in the United States and Canada combined totaled 116 million head July 1, 2017, up 4% from the 111 million head July 1, 2015. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 46.6 million head, were up 5% from 2015.
All cattle and calves in the United States as of July 1, 2017, totaled 103 million head, 4% above the 98.2 million head July 1, 2015. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 41.9 million head, were up 5% from 2015.
All cattle and calves in Canada as of July 1, 2017, totaled 13.0 million head, up slightly from the 12.9 million head July 1, 2016. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 4.74 million head, were up 1% from a year ago.
Read the full USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service report online.
Now Accepting Intern Applications
Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show interns are vital to the success of the largest annual meeting in the U.S. beef cattle industry. Our intern positions provide a unique opportunity for students to gain firsthand experience and to interact with leaders from every segment of the cattle and beef industry.
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Nauman to Manage Genex Facility in Montana
Cattle genetics cooperative Genex announces Jeff Nauman as the new manager of the organization’s production center located in Billings, Mont. Nauman will provide leadership for bull care and health testing, Genex beef semen production, and custom semen collection services.
“His background in and knowledge of the cattle industry will ensure the Genex production center continues to uphold its reputation for producing high-quality, fertile semen,” states Steve Trantham, associate vice president of regional production services.
Nauman was born into a commercial cattle operation near Augusta, Mont., before relocating to Idaho where he earned a degree in agricultural education and gained teaching experience, including leading several educational programs for a state land management agency. Most recently, he worked for a large cattle operation where he was responsible for the health, nutrition and growth of bulls from weaning to 18 months of age.
“I am excited to work at a facility that has collected some of the finest bulls in the world, including many national champions,” shares Nauman. “This is a great opportunity to work with elite bulls and a highly trained staff while providing Genex members and customers with industry-leading science-based cattle genetics.”
Read the full GENEX news release online.
Texas Crop and Weather Report -- Aug. 22, 2017
Plentiful rains have been good and bad for hay producers this year, but 2017 looks to be a good production year overall, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist.
Vanessa Corriher-Olson, AgriLife Extension forage specialist, Overton, said hay producers in East Texas, the region where the majority of the state’s hay production occurs, faced several challenges, but summer rains have provided good conditions for forages late in the season.
Corriher-Olson said summer forages like Bermuda grass got a late start this year because of lower-than-normal temperatures. Grasses broke dormancy later than usual and were slow to get started.
“Some producers reported they didn’t get a first cutting until June or later,” she said. “First cuttings typically start in May.”
Rains have been timely and good for grass production, but they have also caused problems, Corriher-Olson said.
“It was a challenge for some producers to find a window to get hay cut, cured and baled in some areas because of the rain,” she said.
Rainfall also caused widespread weed issues in improved pastures, she said.
For more information view the news release online.
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