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BEEF Cattle questions may be directed to the OSU Extension BEEF Team through Stephen Boyles or Stan Smith, Editor
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Previous issues of the BEEF Cattle letter
Issue # 613
December 3, 2008
Forage Focus: "Forage" Oat Update - Curt Stivison, Fairfield SWCD Engineering Technician and Stan Smith, PA, OSU Extension Fairfield County
Most of you know that for the past seven years, we've spent much time in Fairfield County investigating the virtues of oats as an annual forage when they are planted during mid to late summer, and even into early fall. While we've harvested from 2 to 5 tons, and consistently realized average yields of 3+ tons of dry matter from oats planted in July and August after a harvested wheat crop, its been apparent that yield and quality can vary greatly as planting date, nitrogen fertilization, and perhaps even oat variety differ from each field planted. In an effort to more clearly define the differences in quality and productivity created by dates of planting, nitrogen application rates and seed source, plots were planted this year in cooperation with the Wolfinger family in Fairfield County.
The 12 acre field which served as the plot site was no-til planted on three different dates (July 22, August 6 and August 20) using two different seed sources (certified Armor oats and bin run "feed oats" which originated in Canada). Each planting date and each seed source received 4 different rates of nitrogen (0, 25, 50 and 75 pounds of actual N/acre applied as ammonium nitrate). Volunteer wheat and weeds were killed prior to the first planting with glyphosate.
The first planting on July 22 was done into adequate soil moisture. However, during the balance of the summer and fall each of the three plantings received below normal monthly precipitation. From July through November, Weather Station 1 in Lancaster received a total of 5.67 inches below normal precipitation.
At 60 days after planting, the highest yield experienced in any of the plots was the bin run seed planted on August 6 with 50 units of nitrogen applied per acre. Yield totaled 4.2 tons of dry matter analyzed to have 14.39% protein and 54.22% TDN.
At 60 days after planting, the lowest yields came from the plots which had no supplemental nitrogen applied. Dry matter yields in the zero nitrogen plots ranged from 0.6 tons to 1.9 tons of dry matter. The plots which received 50 units of nitrogen yielded 2+ more tons of forage per acre at a total cost of ~$35 per acre, or less than $17 per ton of additional forage.
Plots receiving both 25 and 75 units of nitrogen had similar yields suggesting that nitrogen rates exceeding 50 pounds/acre actually suppressed yield this year. This was true with all three planting dates and regardless the seed source used.
Our observations based on this year's plot work and 7 total years of experience include:
* Optimum planting date for oats from the perspective of yield is the first week of August. Early August plantings also result in the highest total amount of TDN produced per acre. Later plantings will be slightly higher in quality, but not enough to offset the yield advantage of early August planting. Planting in July reduces both yield and quality. The earlier oat plantings also exhibit more susceptibility to rust.
* Optimum nitrogen application rate is 40 to 50 pounds per acre. This application not only produces the highest yields, but at the present values of nitrogen, it's also the most cost effective rate. The 75 pound/acre rate of nitrogen actually appears to depress yields, and is certainly less cost effective.
* Bin run oats originating in Canada out perform, but possess similar quality at harvest as certified Armor oats.
* The optimum combination of productivity and quality of August planted oats arrives 60 to 75 days after planting. Oats planted in July mature more quickly and thus, rapidly decline in quality beginning 50 to 60 days after planting.
* Oats harvested 50-60 days after planting and while still in the boot stage of maturity will regrow and offer regrowth that may be mechanically harvested or grazed a second time.
* A weed control application of glyphosate is a necessary and cost effective practice prior to oat planting.
An additional advantage observed when using oats for an annual forage crop is the opportunity to capture the total tonnage produced with a single harvest cutting if grazing is not an option. It's also important to note that the 3+ ton yield of oats planted in early August after wheat and straw harvest which has been experienced consistently in Fairfield County the past 7 years, exceeds the 2.89 tons/acre produced in Fairfield County and the 2.78 tons of dry hay produced per acre in Ohio, on average, over the same time period.
For a more comprehensive display of this year's oat plot data, contact Curt Stivison at Fairfield SWCD (740.653.5320).
Mineral Interactions and Supplementation for Beef Cows - Steve Boyles, OSU Extension Beef Specialist
Proper mineral and vitamin nutrition contributes to strong immune systems, reproductive performance, and calf weight gain. Pasture forage is the most significant contributor to the trace mineral nutrition of grazing beef cattle. Mineral supplementation in beef cattle can be divided into two broad categories, macro-minerals and micro-minerals. These categories are based on the amount of mineral required in the cow's diet. As a rule of thumb, micro-minerals are required in amounts less than 1 gram per day compared to macro-minerals, which are often required at levels greater than 1 gram per head per day.
While supplemental energy and protein may not be needed, it is generally recommended to provide supplemental minerals and vitamins. They have less impact than protein and energy on cow/calf performance and economics, but they should not be overlooked. While supplementation is important, over supplementation of minerals should be avoided to prevent possible environmental problems associated with runoff from waste or application of cattle waste to soil (e.g. phosphorus). Certain minerals can actually be toxic if supplemented in excessive amounts.
For more detailed information regarding mineral interactions and the supplementation necessary for the beef herd, visit the OSU Beef Team web Library for the complete version of the publication titled Mineral Interactions and Supplementation for Beef Cows
Do You Know When Your Cows Will Calve Next Spring? - Kris Ringwall, Beef Specialist NDSU Extension Service
The last open cows were shipped to town and all the cows left at the ranch are confirmed pregnant.
Statistics from the CHAPS program managed by the North Dakota Beef Cattle Improvement Association (NDBCIA) show that 93.5 percent of the cows returned to the wintering facilities are pregnant. The open cows are sorted and sent.
Of those pregnant cows that remain, 0.73 percent lose the pregnancy prior to calving. The calf either is absorbed or physically aborted.
Combining the previous sets of statistics, a good estimate of cows expected to calve in the spring would be 93 cows for every 100 cows exposed to the bull.
It is important to know if a cow is pregnant. It also is good to know what the expected calving date is.
The actual calving date for an individual cow is not practical to calculate because the variation in pregnancy duration is wide for cattle. However, a herd calving distribution table can be calculated and is a very useful piece of data for managing a cowherd.
The calving distribution table informs a rancher of pregnant cows and when to expect calves. Statistics from CHAPS users show that 63 percent of the cows would be expected to calf within the first 21 days of the calving season next spring and 87 percent should be done calving within six weeks from the start of calving.
In the final analysis, if 100 cows were exposed, we will expect 93 cows to calf. Fifty-eight calves should be born during the first three weeks of calving.
Twenty-two calves would be born during the second three weeks for a total of 80 calves during the first six weeks of calving. For all practical purposes, all but four of the cows should calve within three months.
One might be saying, "Well, I don't know if I need to know all that information." However, the key is that the information drives well-managed herds and guides managerial input and decision-making.
Feed and labor can be planned so the operation runs smoother. This year, especially in western North Dakota, feed is short, so feed allocation planning is critical for next spring. Cows that are pregnant do not need the same ration as cows that have calved. Saving limited higher-quality inputs and timing the right feed to the right stage of a cow's life is critical.
Cows that calve first will reach peak milk production earlier than the later-calving cows and should receive more feed. A feeding plan designed to match a cow's needs saves on feed.
Utilizing historical calving patterns will affect the bottom line. There are other uses of the data, but the major concept is that we can do more than just react; we also can plan.
Next spring's turnout to grass is not far away and a lot is going to happen between now and then. The key is to become engaged in utilizing data to make positive and effective management decisions.
Current CHAPS users and NDBCIA members are steering their operation, not pushing their operation. When they need to make a decision, they know how to ask the right questions of their data to get answers that will move them forward.
Instead of reactionary decisions, reproductive patterns and cow production are monitored and utilized as part of a management plan. While there are several organizations that work with cow-calf production records, please do not hesitate to contact the NDBCIA for assistance.
The NDBCIA is a partner for cattle producers. Since 1963, the NDBCIA has helped producers collect and analyze data for use in management planning and decision-making for performance beef cattle production.
For more information, contact the NDBCIA Office, 1041 State Ave., Dickinson, ND 58601, or go to www.CHAPS2000.com on the Internet. I look forward to hearing from you.
Factors affecting the transfer of passive immunity to the baby calf - Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Extension Cattle Reproduction Specialist
There are several factors that influence amount of immunoglobulin that is absorbed by the baby calf. Some of these factors are directly related to the amount of colostrum available from the mother. These factors include: 1) genetic composition of the dam, 2) age of the dam, and 3) nutritional status of the dam.
Certainly it is clear that dairy-influence or high milking beef cows should have a larger volume of colostrum. It is less certain whether the concentration of antibody molecules is the same. In some cases, smaller amounts of colostrum may have higher concentrations of immunoglobulins, helping to offset the difference in total volume. Mature cows consistently give more colostrum than two-year olds of similar genetic makeup. Therefore it is no mystery that calves from two-year old cows are more prone to diseases such as scours than calves from older cows. Cows in better body condition at calving have been shown to impart more passive immunity to their calves. This is most apparent in young cows.
Research in Colorado found that calves from thin (less than 5 body condition score) had lower amounts of circulating antibodies at 24 hours of age than did calves from heifers that were in adequate to good body condition score (body condition score 5 or 6) at calving.
Weekly Roberts Agricultural Commodity Market Report - Mike Roberts, Commodity Marketing Agent, Virginia Tech
LIVE CATTLE futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) were down on Monday pressured by the same sorry economic news that squeezed commodities in general. The DEC'08LC contract closed at $85.450/cwt, off $1.925/cwt and $1.200/cwt lower than a week ago. FEB'09LC futures closed up $1.925/cwt at $85.725/cwt, 1.875/cwt lower than last Monday. Volume was light amid low numbers of buyers while sellers were able to push prices lower while shorting the market. Packers have backed off demand amid worries that shoppers will not buy as much product this holiday season. USDA on Monday put Choice Boxed Beef at $152.16/cwt, up $0.56/cwt. Cash cattle in the Plains traded $2-$3/cwt lower than last week while USDA put the 5-area price at $89.82/cwt, off $1.44/cwt from a week ago. According to HedgersEdge.com, the average packer margin was lowered $19.95/head from last week to a negative $9.75/head based on the average buy of $88.69/cwt vs. the average breakeven of $87.92/cwt. Consider buying short-term needs at this time. Corn markets will most likely uptick on good financial news.
FEEDER CATTLE at the CME followed live cattle and the other commodity markets lower on Monday. JAN'09FC futures finished at $89.625/cwt, down $2.075/cwt from Friday and $1.775/cwt lower than last Monday. The MAR'09FC contract settled at 89.850/cwt, off $2.375/cwt and $2.30/cwt lower than a week ago. The CME Feeder Cattle Index for November 27 was placed at $93.05/cwt, up $0.35/cwt. It might be a good idea to price short-term feed needs now.
Visit the OSU Beef Team calendar of meetings and upcoming events
BEEF Cattle is a weekly publication of Ohio State University Extension in Fairfield County and the OSU Beef Team. Contributors include members of the Beef Team and other beef cattle specialists and economists from across the U.S.
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