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OSU Extension BEEF Team

BEEF Cattle questions may be directed to the OSU Extension BEEF Team through Stephen Boyles or Stan Smith, Editor

You may subscribe to the weekly Ohio BEEF Cattle letter by sending an e-mail to smith.263@osu.edu

Previous issues of the BEEF Cattle letter

Issue # 653

September 16, 2009

Preg Check Your Cows . . . Please! - Dr. Les Anderson, Beef Extension Specialist, University of Kentucky

Well, it's that time of year for me to plead with our producers to pregnancy diagnose their cows. This year appears to be even more important than the last few. The University of Kentucky has about 2500 cows on various Applied Master Cattleman projects throughout the state. Many of these farms have participated in these projects for two years. Cows in all of these projects are subjected to estrus synchronization prior to either natural service or to AI. These projects are designed to either demonstrate to producers how to shorten the calving season or the production and economic efficiencies of AI. Most of these cows have been diagnosed for pregnancy and, if these farms are any indication, pregnancy rates will be unexpectedly low this year. The last couple of years, these farms have averaged 59% AI and 91% overall pregnancy rate after a 60-day breeding season. This year, our AI rate is only 51% and the average pregnancy rate is only 79.5%!

Why are the pregnancy rates so low? Great question. Our best guess is that, after two straight years of drought, the cows entered calving in a lower body condition and our hay quality from last summer was well below average. This nutrient challenge likely delayed many cows ability to recycle after calving even though they were subjected to protocols to induce estrus in anestrous cows. These cows likely did not start cycling until July when fertility is typically low. If you do the math, half the herd conceived on one day and only half of the remaining cows conceived to the bull. I am tempted to blame the bulls but I have observed lower reproductive rates on numerous farms scattered across the entire state of Kentucky. Actually, I have observed normal reproductive rates in only 2 farms total this spring.

I hope "preg checking" is an annual ritual for your herd. If you have not incorporated this management practice in the past, please do so this year so that you won't be feed non-productive females this fall and winter. When it comes time to cull cows from your herd, pregnancy status is one of the first criteria that will determine whether a cow stays in the country or goes to town.

According to the results of a survey conducted by the National Animal Health Monitoring System, fewer than 20 percent of beef cow calf producers used pregnancy testing or palpation in their herd. However, the benefits of this practice are fairly simple to realize. First of all, pregnancy diagnosis allows producers to identify "open" or nonpregnant cows. Compare the roughly $5 per head cost of a pregnancy exam with the $100-200 per head cost of hay alone to feed an open cow through the winter (if you can find hay for $30 per roll). It's easy to see that pregnancy testing quickly pays for itself.

Second, pregnancy testing will provide a producer an estimation of when cows will be calving based on the age of the fetus at the time of the pregnancy exam. An average calving date can be calculated and the producer can use this information to better supplement, the cows through the winter. Remember, the nutrient needs of cows vary throughout their production cycle; cows nutrient requirements are highest immediately before and after calving and are lowest in the second period of pregnancy. Knowledge of the stage of pregnancy can help producers make efficient feeding decisions. For example, most producers will have hay of varying qualities in storage. Since cows in the second period of their pregnancy require less nutrients, producers can target their lower quality feedstuffs for the time when their cows nutrient requirements are the lowest. Alternatively, producers can save their best quality feedstuffs for the post-calving period when a cow's nutrient requirements are the highest. Thus, obtaining the pregnancy status of your cowherd will allow a producer to adjust the supplementation in a timelier manner.

Finally, if the herd needs to be culled and pregnant cows need to be sold due to drought and lack of pasture, knowing the pregnancy status of the cows will be appealing to potential buyers. Buyers will be looking to purchase cows that will calve closely in line with the cows already in their own herds.

Pregnancy diagnosis is a quick and simple procedure that requires an experienced veterinarian. Two practical methods for pregnancy diagnosis can be used in beef cattle: 1) rectal palpation and 2) transrectal ultrasonography. Rectal palpation is most common and is an accurate form of pregnancy diagnosis that can be performed after day 45 of pregnancy. Many veterinarians are proficient at rectal palpation, and this procedure requires little time in the squeeze chute. Transrectal ultrasonography, commonly referred to as ultrasound, can be used to detect pregnancy as early as 28 days with a high degree of accuracy. This method can be employed just as quickly as rectal palpation when done by a skilled technician and may provide additional information that cannot be determined by rectal palpation. Using transrectal ultrasonography, the technician is actually "looking" at the fetus and can determine the viability of the fetus and the incidence of twins. It is also possible to determine the sex of the fetus between days 60 and 90 of pregnancy.

A final piece of information to keep in mind is to sell cull cows early. The market for cows is usually good through September, and then the price goes south at a fairly rapid pace until it bottoms out in November. So, pull the bulls at the end of the breeding season, schedule to pregnancy check your cows about 45 days later, and get rid of the open cows and other culls before cow prices take a nose dive.

So PLEASE have pregnancy diagnosed in your cows. It will save you money.

Early Weaning Provides Boost for Young, Thin Cows - Glenn Selk, OSU Extension Cattle Reproduction Specialist

The common tradition for weaning spring-born calves is to wait until late October and even early November. Most mature cows that have been feeding on adequate summer forages will be in very good body condition, despite the pressure of nursing a rapidly growing calf. These cows will usually be in a body condition score of about 5 to 6 at weaning time each fall. However, very often two-year-old cows and even some three-year-old cows will be in marginal body condition at the end of summer. They have a nutrient requirement for continued growth and in the case of the two-year-old, they are replacing baby teeth with adult teeth and are not as effective at harvesting forage. Therefore many of these young cows go into the fall season in a body condition score of 4 to 5 or less.

If the rancher chooses to wait until late October to wean the calves from these marginal young cows, there is very little time between weaning and the first killing frost. This is a time when a young cow could recover considerable body condition, if she has access to a plentiful supply of late summer, warm season grass. Without the nutrient drain of producing and delivering milk, she can use this pre-frost period to great advantage and replenish her own body stores.

South Dakota State examined this scenario (using mature cows) by comparing the effect of weaning date on performance of the beef cows. They weaned half of the cows at the time of the first real cool spell (September 14). The other half of the cows had their calves weaned at a traditional time (October 23). The scientists then monitored body condition and rebreeding performance of the cows. We should note that this study included two different nutritional levels: a low group to mimic an early winter or a dry summer; a moderate group to mimic more ideal summer and early winter seasons. Only the data for those cows exposed to the low nutritional group are presented here. They more nearly reflect what may happen for 2 and 3 year olds than will the moderately fed mature cows.

Table 1. South Dakota study of earlier weaning on mature cows (source: Pruitt and Momont; 1994 South Dakota Beef Report)

This data indicates that the 40 days earlier weaning allow the cows to regain 1/2 of a body condition score going into winter. More of the early weaned cows were cycling at the start of the breeding season, conceived early in the breeding season and should wean heavier older calves the following year. In addition a small amount of high protein supplement (i.e. cottonseed meal or soybean meal) will enhance the cow's ability to utilize the declining quality of the late summer forage. Therefore this protein supplement can add more body condition to the young cows before frost arrives. This combination of management techniques should be a cost effective way to increase re-breeding rates of young spring calving cows.

The data from the cows that were in the "moderate" group indicate that middle-aged (4 to 7 years of age) in excellent body condition in the fall did not significantly benefit from the earlier weaning.

Forage Focus: Poisonous Plants and the Fall Harvest - Bill Curran and Dwight Lingenfelter, Weed Science, Penn State

With corn silage harvest coming into full swing, we have had some questions about harvesting poisonous plants with the forage or perhaps even with grain. A number of plants contain potentially poisonous substances that may be toxic to livestock if consumed. If you suspect livestock poisoning, call your local extension educator or veterinarian immediately. Once the poisoning has occurred, it can be very difficult to pinpoint the exact cause. Scouting fields and identifying potential poisonous plants prior to or during harvest can help avoid livestock losses. Some of the more common poisonous plants that we should pay attention to this time of year are:

Jimsonweed - The entire plant is poisonous (seeds are most toxic) - Poisoning symptoms includes thirst, mood swings, convulsions, coma, and death. The poisonous principles are solanaceous alkaloids -- 0.06 to 0.09% (dry wt.) equivalent of animal body wt. is toxic.

Milkweeds - The entire plant is poisonous - Poisoning symptoms includes depression, muscle tremors, spasms, bloat, difficult breathing. The poisonous principles are glycosides and galitoxin - 0.3 to 0.6% of body weight.

Nightshade species (eastern black, horsenettle, groundcherry, etc.) - Vegetation and unripe fruit are most poisonous and wilted leaves are especially toxic. Berry contamination in soybean grain is more of a quality issue resulting from staining and mold - Poisoning symptoms include loss of appetite, salivation, weakness, trembling, and paralysis. The poisonous principle is solanine - toxic at 42 mg/kg (LD50) = 0.1 to 0.3% of body weight. Solanine is reportedly destroyed by cooking, but ensiling probably does not reach a high enough temperature.

Pokeweed. - The entire plant is poisonous and especially the roots, shoots, and unripe berries; berry toxicity decreases as they mature - Poisoning symptoms include gastrointestinal cramps, weakened pulse, respiration, salivation. The poisonous principles are saponins, phytolaccine and alkaloid phytolaccotoxin and glycoproteins - 10 or more berries can result in toxicity to humans. This is unknown for livestock, but perhaps 100-200 berries/1000 lb animal.

"Critical Issues with Grazing Operations"

If you have land and livestock, you probably have a grazing operation of some sort. Have you ever wondered if you are doing the best job possible managing your resources? The livestock could be horses, cattle, sheep, elk, alpacas, miniature horses or some other species of livestock utilizing pasture. Three critical issues that can affect your operation, fencing, water, and pasture health, will be topics during an upcoming field day sponsored by the Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Tuscarawas and Guernsey County, OSU Extension, the Muskingum Watershed, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The field day will be hosted by Don and Ann Carruthers located just east of I-77 on State Route 258 east of Newcomerstown on October 3rd, 2009 from 9:00am - 3:00pm.

It doesn't matter if you've had livestock all your life or if you are just now thinking about acquiring some, there will be information beneficial to you and your operation. Proper fence installation is critical because it provides the ability to manage the livestock or to have the livestock where you want them when you want them there. It also provides security from a liability standpoint and allows you to sleep easier at night. If you have ever had to haul water for livestock or your own consumption you know how critical water can be. And then there is pasture health. Just like people, plants can be healthy or sick. Healthy plants can provide a lot of benefits, such as, food for livestock, protection to keep the ground cool so it doesn't dry out as quick, and prevents soil erosion. Sick plants can't provide these same benefits.

Eric Miller with Stay Tuff Fence Company will be doing a presentation on proper fence construction. Clif Little OSU Extension Educator Guernsey County will be speaking on the issue of water for livestock. Bob Hendershot NRCS Grasslands Management Systems Specialist will be speaking on the topic of pasture health. In addition to these speakers Beth Kruprzak and Gina Schworm NRCS grassland conservationists will be sharing about grazing management plans and government programs.

Lunch is provided and because of the generosity of the sponsors there is no fee for this event but pre-registration is required by contacting the Guernsey Soil and Water Conservation District at 9711 East Pike Cambridge Ohio 43725 or by calling 740-432-5624. Registration deadline is September 30th.

Cattle Outlook, September 11, 2009 - Glenn Grimes & Ron Plain, University of Missouri

The seasonality in heavy-weight (750-800 pounds) feeder steers shows a low in February and a high in September for the 10-year period of 1999-2008.

The first five months of the calendar year show heavy-weight feeder steers averaging a little less than 96 percent of the annual average. The June-December period of the year averages some above 102 percent of the annual average.

The weakness in feeder cattle in the first five months of the year is due mostly to the lower priced fed cattle during late spring and early fall. The higher price for these heavier-weight feeders is due, at least in part, to the stronger fed cattle prices in late fall and winter.

Prices for heavy-weight feeder steers this year are following fairly close to the past 10 years. For February, 750-800-pound feeder steers at Oklahoma City averaged $91.95 per cwt. For August, the price for 750-800-pound feeder steers at Oklahoma City was $100.72 per cwt.

The expected near-record corn crop will keep corn prices under some downward pressure and should be positive to feeder cattle prices as we go through the fall. However, demand for beef especially in the hotel and restaurant trade will not be positive for feeder cattle prices. Therefore, heavier-weight feeder cattle may have reached a peak in the summer for 2009 when 750-800-pound feeder steers averaged $102 per cwt. If the fed cattle prices are close to what the futures market for live cattle suggested, the price of heavy-weight feeders will stay fairly strong as we go through the fall.

Total cow slaughter for the week ending August 29 under Federal Inspection at 124 thousand head was down 2.4 percent from a year earlier. Beef cow slaughter at 59.6 thousand head was down 16.3 percent from 12 months earlier. Dairy cow slaughter was up 15.2 percent from the same date in 2008.

We expect the beef cow herd on January 1, 2010, to be down 1-1.5 percent from 2009, and the dairy cow herd to be down 2-2.5 percent from a year earlier.

There was no feeder cattle sale on Monday this week at Oklahoma City because of the Labor Day holiday. Feeder calf prices for cattle weighing less than 600 pounds in Missouri last week were steady to $2 per cwt higher than a week earlier. Cattle weighing over 600 pounds were steady to $2 per cwt lower and Holsteins were steady to $1 per cwt higher than seven days earlier.

Wholesale beef prices Friday morning showed Choice beef at $141.41 per cwt, down $0.81 per cwt from last Friday. Select beef at $133.73 per cwt was down $0.47 per cwt from last week.

The weighted average price for live fed cattle through Thursday for the five-market area was $82.83 per cwt, up $0.19 from seven days earlier. The weighted average negotiated carcass price for the week through Thursday for the five-market area at $130.43 per cwt was up $0.70 per cwt from last week.

Slaughter this week under Federal Inspection was estimated at 562 thousand head, down sharply because Labor Day was celebrated in a different week last year.

Cattle Market Adjustments and Opportunities - Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist

Markets are wonderful self-correcting mechanisms that do a remarkable job of inducing multitudes of consumers and producers to make adjustments to constantly changing market conditions. Most of the time they do this so subtly that the process goes unnoticed. However, in times of large shocks or major changes in markets, the process is more obvious. In these situations two things become more apparent; big adjustments are often painful and they are often frustratingly slow.

And so it is with cattle markets. Most of the past three years (or six if you start with BSE) have been a rollercoaster of shocks and changes, some short run in nature and some likely more permanent. Arguably the biggest of these and one that is likely more permanent is the change in feed prices. Although the massive initial shock waves of high corn prices have subsided a bit, the beef industry is still making adjustments to reestablish profitably in the industry, especially in the feedlot sector. The industry has made significant adjustments by changing the manner and timing of cattle feeding and has been helped by three consecutive large corn crops that are giving us currently the lowest corn prices that can reasonably be expected. Still feedlot profits remain elusive. Although feed costs have moderated in recent months, the global recession has produced weak beef and fed cattle prices resulting in continued feedlot losses. The pain is very real and the long term reality of reducing excess capacity (feedlots closing) is underway at this time. Nevertheless, there is some potential light at the end of tunnel.

The near certainty of a 13 billion bushel corn crop this fall suggests that corn prices will remain in the $3/bushel range and keep feedlots cost of gain in check. Projected feedlot budgets, relative to live cattle futures, are almost at the point of showing a breakeven for cattle feeding. It will take months of profitability to stop the structural adjustments to feedlot capacity that are underway but it would only take a bit more help in terms of lower feeding costs or higher fed cattle prices to begin the process. There may begin to be some opportunities to lock in profitable margins in cattle feeding and that may offer more opportunities for cow-calf and stocker producers to have retained ownership as a viable alternative. Macroeconomic recovery that translates into stronger beef demand is possible in the next few months and will certainly help the process.

Markets do not sit still and inevitably markets will continue to adjust and move towards relative input and output prices that allow profitability and more stability (in the absence of additional shocks!). Opportunities will appear and disappear along the way and producers should look for chances to take advantage of those opportunities. History is less of a guide in dynamic times and rules of thumb based on history are downright dangerous. Nevertheless, there are opportunities.

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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