News Update
January 02, 2018
Producers Should Prepare for
Winter Supplement Needs
Many beef producers may need a Plan B when it comes to winter forages due to dry conditions, said Jason Banta, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialist, Overton.
Banta said supplemental feeding started earlier than usual for many producers around the state because of dry fall conditions. The Texas state climatologist’s long-term winter forecast called for warmer, drier conditions.
“Compared to 2016, we’ve been much drier, so that means less stockpiled forage and shorter pasture conditions,” Banta said. “This means producers will have to feed hay much earlier compared to recent years. The warmer temperatures would be good for winter forage growth, but below-average rain could be bad, so it’s important to plan ahead.
“If producers get rain, they’ll want to utilize those winter annuals as best as possible,” he continued. “If they don’t get rain, producers need to be calculating how much hay they have on hand and whether they might need to start looking for sources to purchase additional hay.”
If winter pasture growth is abundant, then pairs can be grazed full time.
Continue reading this Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.
The 112th National Western Stock Show
Begins Saturday, Jan. 6
The National Western Stock Show (NWSS) will launch the 112th year with the annual kick-off parade, Thursday, Jan. 4, at noon. The historic Stock Show Parade trots through the streets of downtown Denver this Thursday, with the procession led by parade Grand Marshal and Denver Broncos mascot, Thunder.
Parking for the 2018 show will be more plentiful than ever due to the demolition of a building that resided just north of the Yards, as well as other land acquisitions by the City of Denver for the expansion of the site into the National Western Center. Parking is free in National Western lots with over one thousand additional spaces and free shuttle service.
The National Western Stock Show promises to showcase your favorite western traditions, as well as highlight the many “must see” events across the grounds. The 16-day show opens Saturday, Jan. 6, and runs through Jan. 21, with everything from ranch rodeo, championship fiddle competitions, professional bull riding, family-fun dog shows, to the Coors Western Art gallery, a nursery of baby animals, and acres of food and shopping.
Visit www.nationalwestern.com for more information.
Caking Cows — One Way to Provide Winter Protein
Many ranchers supplement cows during winter, feeding protein to balance dry pastures. Range pellets or cake are often used for this purpose.
Cows have different nutritional needs at different stages of gestation, but they all need protein — the amount increasing in late gestation. Protein requirements are higher for young cows because they are still growing. All cattle need a certain level of protein in the rumen to digest and utilize fiber. Whether protein supplementation is needed will depend on protein levels in winter forage.
Range pellets are handy for some ranchers, with various protein levels to meet various needs, and many feedmills around the country manufacture pellets. Cammack Ranch Supply, Union Center, S.D., makes a 15%, 20% and 30% protein pellet, all grain-based. The 15% and 20% pellets are wheat-based. Canola is the protein source for the 30% pellet.
Ranchers can feed pellets out in the pasture, on grass or bare ground; the round cubes hold together nicely but are easy to eat. Cammack Ranch Supply sells cake bulk, loose or bagged [50-pound (lb.) bags, up to 2,000 lb. bulk-bagged].
Keep reading this Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.
Cattlemen Announce Annual Convention Details
The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) has announced details of its annual Cattle Raisers Convention and Expo, to be hosted March 22-25, 2018, at the Fort Worth Convention Center.
The 2018 Cattle Raisers Convention and Expo is the largest ranching event of the year in the Southwestern United States. It will feature programs and activities of interest to cattle raisers, landowners and the general public, with opportunities for everyone to participate.
“If you own land or livestock in Texas or the Southwest, the Cattle Raisers Convention is an excellent investment of your time,” said TSCRA President Richard Thorpe. “I am confident you will find opportunities to further your education, gain industry information, make useful business connections and have some fun.”
For cattle producers, professional development opportunities abound with practical education for beginner and advanced producers alike. This year’s School for Successful Ranching will offer learning sessions and live demonstrations on topics including cattle health, legal issues, range and pasture management and marketing. New for 2018 are two special workshops.
Learn more in the full TSCRA news release online.
On Target
We can debate the single largest factor in reproductive success for the cow herd depending on gender: Is there a fertile and able bull in the herd? Are the cows cycling? A failure in either of these systems results in a miserable day come preg-check time, and anyone who has been the victim of a bull gone bad would swear the male side of this equation is the most important.
While a fertile bull is important, he is of little use to a cow that is not cycling.
Breeding soundness exams provide a foundation to sort out infertile bulls prior to breeding. On the dam side, we can’t assess reproductive abilities through a single test prior to the breeding season. However, we can judge those prospects in bred heifers and cows 45-60 days precalving. Yes, you read that correctly: precalving. That’s the time you can do something about the potential noncycling cows during the following breeding season.
More than 60% of the nutrients required for fetal development are needed during the last two months of gestation.
View this Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.
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