Fall Cattle Markets and Forage Conditions

Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist

 

October brought significant rain across most of Oklahoma after a very dry September.  The rains came in the form of a significant fall severe weather season.  A total of 31 tornados were reported in the state in October, a new record for the month and more than for the entire year from January through September. 

 

Wheat planting is finishing up in Oklahoma.  The latest Crop Progress report showed a total of 73 percent planted as of October 24, slightly behind the five-year average of 80 percent for the date. Considerable progress was made in wheat planting the last week of October. While wheat for grain-only is still being planted or is newly planted, wheat for forage or dual purpose has progressed significantly with recent rains.  Driving across Oklahoma recently I observed wheat in stages from planting to barely emerged to several inches tall.  Most wheat pasture will not be ready for grazing until December, later than usual, but I have heard reports that some wheat grazing may begin by mid-November. 

 

Rain and the revived prospects for wheat pasture has lifted calf and stocker prices in October.  Prices bottomed earlier than usual in the first week of October and have increased counter-seasonally the last three weeks.    For example, prices for 450-500 pound, M/L No. 1 steers were $167.32/cwt. the first week of October, and averaged $175.69/cwt. the last week of October (Oklahoma combined auctions). 

 

Nationwide, the drought continues as winter approaches.  Drought developed through 2020 and average drought conditions currently are slightly worse than the drought conditions at this time last year.  Although there has been some regional changes in drought situation, the overall picture has not changed much.  The country started this growing season with the worst average pasture and range conditions on record and is ending the year in the same condition.  The reemerging La Niña increases the chances for moisture in the northern half of the country and Canada but simultaneously increases the odds of drier conditions redeveloping in the Southwest.  In any event, not much will change regarding forage supplies in the next 6-7 months.  The one exception is the potential for wheat pasture and other cool-season forages in the southern plains, which will need additional moisture through the winter.

 

November will bring big runs of spring-born calves, although in some drought regions, calves moved out earlier.  In total, feeder cattle numbers are expected to be smaller going forward as cattle inventories continue to shrink cyclically.  Several OQBN preconditioned calf sales are upcoming.  Check http://oqbn.okstate.edu/  for more information. 

 

Derrell Peel, OSU Extension livestock marketing specialist, provides an update on wheat pasture and guidance on navigating higher feed costs this winter. Livestock Marketing (10/23/21) - YouTube

 

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Body Condition Scoring of Cows

Mark Z. Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist

 

The body condition scoring system (BCS) is used to assess body energy reserves in beef cows.  The BCS system used for beef cattle ranges from 1 to 9.  A score of 1 indicates cows that are thin and emaciated, cows of BCS 9 are fat and obese.  Pictures and definitions of the BCS system can be found in Chapter 20 of the 8^th edition of the OSU Beef Cattle Manual.

 

When condition scoring cows, producers should look beyond age, frame size, depth, length pregnancy status and hair coat.  The condition scoring system is intended to provide a consistent system to quantify relative fatness regardless of these other factors that create difference in cows‘ appearance.  There is a strong relationship between weight and BCS.  For each unit change in BCS, cows should gain or lose approximately 7% of their BCS 5 weight.  For example a cow that weighs 1,200 lbs. at a BCS 5 should reach a BCS of 6 at 1,284 lbs. or drop to a BCS 4 at 1,116 lbs.

 

Why is BCS Important?

One of the major constraints in the improvement of reproductive efficiency in cows is the length of post-partum anestrous.  If cows are to maintain a calving interval of one year, they must bred back within 80 – 85 days after calving.  In both old and young cows, it is well established that BCS at calving time determines the rebreeding performance of beef cows in the subsequent breeding season.  Cows maintaining body weight, therefore having ample energy reserves before parturition, exhibit estrus sooner than cows losing weight.  Body weight change during pregnancy is confounded with fetus and placenta growth.  Therefore, the estimation of body fat by use of BCS is more useful in quantifying the energy reserves of beef cows.  The process of fetal development, delivering a calf, milk production and repair of the reproductive tract are all physiological stresses.  These stresses require the availability and utilization of large quantities  of energy to enable cows to rebreed in the required 85 days.  Cold and/or wet weather often faced by spring calving cows adds additional environmental stress resulting in energy intake that is below body maintenance needs.  The cow compensates by mobilizing stored energy or adipose tissue which is why adequate BCS at calving is so critical to reproductive performance.

 

The Goal

Producers should manage their calving season, genetics, grazing system, supplementation program and herd health to achieve an average BCS of 5 to 6 (target 5.5) in the mature cow herd at calving time.  The goal for first calf heifers is a BCS of 6.  Typically the greatest reproductive challenge in beef cattle is the breed back of two-year old females raising their first calf, lactating for the first time and still growing themselves, accordingly the higher BCS of 6 is recommended.

 

References

Beef Cattle Manual. Eight Edition. E-913. Oklahoma Cooperative Extension. Chapter 20.

 

Dr. Glenn Selk talks about the importance in BCS of heifers at calving for rebreeding on a classic Cow-Calf Corner on Sunup TV. Cow-Calf Corner - Winter BCS Maintenance (12/1/18) - YouTube

 

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Hay Storage-Minimizing Loss

Marty New, SW Area Livestock Specialist

 

Traveling throughout the state I often observe how many round bales we produce and the numerous ways they can be stored prior to feeding time.  Since the large round bale was introduced, it has become the most common form of baling hay.  This is primarily due to low-labor demand and fewer storage requirements than the traditional small square bale.  Most round bales are typically stored outside and unprotected because of their ability to shed moisture.  It’s not always easy to control weather related losses, but producers can minimize storage losses.  Dry matter loss of hay is generally a function of moisture, temperature, and time.

 

Research has shown storing round bales outside and unprotected can be much greater than producers realize. Losses have can range from 5-40% due to bale quality, storage conditions, and length of storage.  Bale shape and density can aid in minimizing loss.  A good shaped and dense bale with a good core will decrease “squatting bales” and rejected hay while aiding in transporting well shaped bales.  Creating a good “thatch” layer will shed water decreasing the amount absorbed in the bale.  Wrapping bales with net vs. twine impacts dry matter loss.  Net wrapped bales maintain the bale integrity and reduces losses compared to twine through the storage period.

  

Effect of wrapping method on storage losses over time

 

Minimize dry matter loss by storing your hay on the best well drained surface available to reduce moisture absorption into the underside of the bales.  As much as 12 inches of the bottom of the bale can be lost through the wicking action.  Elevating bales from contact with the soil surface is optimum but not necessarily practical in most operations.  Storage sites free from sources of shade (tree lines, along barns, buildings, etc) allows for good airflow and sun exposure to reduce the amount of spoilage.

 

Orientation of the round bales in the storage site is another important consideration in minimizing loss.  Bales should be stored in rows, butted end-to-end, and in a north/south direction with a southern exposure if possible.  This orientation at least 3 ft. between rows will provide good sunlight and air flow, which allows for a faster drying time following a rain or snow event.  It will also allow for easier vegetation control between row if needed, to reduce losses. “Mushroom Stacking” and “Pyramid Stacking” are other common storage practices which should be avoided.  Each of these practices lead to large dry matter loss due to increased water infiltration, reduced airflow within the stack, and limited exposure to sunlight.  

 

Loss of round bales stored outside and unprotected can be reduced by baling smart, with a good dense bale, good thatch layer, and net wrapping.  In addition to storing bales in a well-drained site, with a slight slope, north/south direction with sun exposure.

 

References:

Round Bale Hay Storage fact sheet 

 

Shinners, K.J., B.M. Huenink, R.E. Muck, and K.A. Albrecht. 2009.  Storage Characteristics of Large Round Alfalfa Bales: Dry Hay. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. Vol. 52(2): 409-418.

 

The Rancher’s Thursday Lunchtime webinar series by Dr. Kevin Shinners

The Way You Stack Round Bales Matters!