Cow-Calf Corner | December 5, 2022
Feeder Cattle Markets Jump into December
Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist
Oklahoma feeder cattle auction prices jumped sharply the week after Thanksgiving. Calf prices, in particular, were $10-$15/cwt. higher and all classes were $6-$10 higher after Thanksgiving. Several factors contributed to the strength in feeder prices. Improving Feeder futures prices, a stronger fed cattle market and limited supplies of feeder cattle all combined to push prices higher.
Oklahoma feeder auction volumes have been smaller five of the past six weeks after being higher year over year all summer and early fall. The volume of feeder cattle in Oklahoma auctions last week was down 19.4 percent compared to the same week last year. In the 16 weeks from July 1 through mid-October, the cumulative extra feeder cattle volume over last year totaled 71.397 head. Since mid-October, feeder volumes have been bringing the cumulative total since July 1 down to 52,808 head. In other words, the cumulative total of increased early sales of feeder cattle still far exceeds the reduction in the past six weeks. Smaller volumes will likely persist for the rest of the year at least.
I have driven across much of the state in recent weeks and it appears that most winter wheat is up with stands that vary from spotty to good. The final USDA Crop Progress report of 2022 was issued the end of November and showed that 95 percent of Oklahoma wheat is up, equal the same week last year and one point higher than the five-year average. The condition of Oklahoma wheat was rated at 12 percent very poor; 12 percent poor; 45 percent fair; 30 percent good and just one percent excellent. This shows that the stands are rather lackluster and almost none are grazable or will be before the end of the year. Depending on moisture and temperature conditions through December, some wheat may grow enough for turnout after January 1. All in all, wheat grazing will be very limited and most grazing that does occur will be used to supplement forage supplies for animals on hand.
Cattle slaughter and beef production are tightening in the final weeks of the year. Total weekly beef production was down 1.0 percent in the most recent weekly data. This is the largest weekly decline in weekly beef production since the first few weeks of the year. The expectations are to begin seeing consistent week over week decreases in beef production. The most recent weekly data showed the continuing contrast in steer and heifer slaughter. Steer slaughter was down 6.4 percent compared to the same week last year, while heifer slaughter was up 4.6 percent. Combined steer plus heifer slaughter was down 2.1 percent, contributing to the decrease in weekly beef production. Total steer plus heifer slaughter is up 0.8 percent for the year to date.
Beef production in 2022 has also been boosted by increased cow slaughter. Beef cow slaughter is up 12.1 percent year over year for the year to date. However, beef cow slaughter has been up only about three percent the past two weeks, suggesting that herd liquidation may be slowing down. For the year to date, cull cow and bull beef production has been up 4.1 percent year over year. Going forward into the new year, heifer and cow slaughter should decline thereby allowing total slaughter and beef production to decrease.
Derrell Peel discusses the livestock markets on SunUpTV from December 3, 2022.
Benefits of Proper Hay Storage
Mark Z. Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist
Proper hay storage is always important. This year, with limited amounts of harvested forage available and record high prices, it is worth discussing some simple storage practices that can lead to less spoilage. First, one of the few upsides to the drought of the past few months is that there has been very little precipitation falling on hay stored outside. Precipitation, air temperature and humidity all lead to more spoilage in big bales. Twine wrapped bales are more subject to spoilage than net wrapped. Greater bale density leads to less spoilage. That being said, keep the following in mind when considering how your hay is stored.
Storage Site and Elevated Storage
Select a site on higher ground that is not shaded and is open to air flow to enhance drying conditions. The site should be well drained to minimize moisture absorption into the bottom of bales. Ground contact leads to more bale spoilage. When practical keep bales off the ground using low cost surplus materials like old pallets, fence posts, railroad ties and tires. Another option is a six inch layer of coarse ground rock. Anything that can be done to maximize drainage and minimize moisture within and around the storage site will be beneficial.
Orientation
Bails should be stored in rows, butted end-to-end, and oriented in a north/south direction. Avoid stacking three rows of hay in a triangle shape. This formation leads to more spoilage, particularly in the two bottom rows. North/south orientation combined with at least three feet between the rows permits good sunlight penetration and airflow, allowing for faster drying. Vegetation between the rows should be mowed.
Covers and Barns
Large round bales stored outside with plastic or canvas usually sustain much less spoilage compared to unprotected bales. If barn storage is an option, this is the best method. Dry matter losses in round bales stored for up to nine months in an enclosed barn should be less than two percent.
Summary
All forages packaged in large round bales benefit from protection and proper storage practices. Producers are encouraged to consider the cost to benefit ratio of providing this protection. Factors to consider include the value of hay, projected in storage losses, local environmental conditions, the cost of providing protection and how long the hay will be in storage before it is fed. At the very least it may be worthwhile to restack or re-orient your hay supply according to the best practices described. Further details for estimating storage losses can be found in the fact sheet referenced below.
Reference: Oklahoma State University Extension Fact Sheet: BAE-1716
Dr. Mark Johnson has advice to consider before purchasing hay on SunUpTV from November 26, 2022.
Slow is Fast and Fast is Slow: Safe Cattle Handling
Addie Womack, OSU Department of Animal and Food Sciences Graduate Research Assistant
An old cowboy once told me “If you work cattle like you gotta be done quick, it takes all day; but if you work like you got all day, you get done quick.”
Animal welfare is a major concern when it comes to agriculture production. When employees are properly trained and understand cattle behaviors, they continue to safely handle animals over their careers. This ensures the safety of the animals we are entrusted to care for as well as personnel. Whether it’s in the feedlot or on the pasture, cattle management practices are important for the animals and employees. I will go over some basic tips that will hopefully turn your mindset on cattle-handling from a list of rules and quick-fix solutions to long term habits.
One of the first steps to implementing good management practices is understanding how the cattle think. We can keep their stress levels low if we build a working facility that they understand, one that works with the movements they naturally want to make. They also do not like drastic light changes on either end of the spectrum. They do not want to walk from a dark and shaded place straight into sunlight or vice versa. It affects their vision and could induce stress. There are many other factors going into facility design that can positively affect the cattle-working experience.
Many people working with cattle like the use of sticks or flags to assist them in moving cattle. While these items are not bad when used properly, they can often become a crutch and be misused. My opinion is that it is better to use these as little as possible. In the outside environment that most cattle are in there are so many uncontrollable factors; distractions, weather, and even insects. These factors can all affect the cattle’s stress level the day you chose to work with them. However, the more comfortable and trusting the cattle are of you the less the distractions will bother them. We will never be able to take away all distractions but we can learn how to better control our cattle.
A seemingly counter-intuitive concept that has proven itself true is the slower you work, the faster the job gets done. A common practice in cattle working is to bring as many people possible and work as quickly as you can to get the job done. There are reasons for this thought process; cattle can get too hot, may be away from water or their calves for too long. However, forcing the cattle to move quicker than they want to or are able to move, will often result in employees or cattle getting injured, ultimately slowing down progress. Take your time using only as many employees are actually needed and the job will get done quicker, smoother, and with less stress. Another point for efficiency is for everyone to have clearly assigned duties and to stick to their assignment ensuring nothing gets missed while the animal is in the chute.
Most importantly in low-stress cattle handling, keep your employees calm to ensure cattle are calm. Be aware of their behavior, as it can be a tale-tell sign of their stress level. Understanding cattle should be important to all employees working with animals in the agriculture industry. Our goal is that the public is confident that we ensure the safety of all animals we work with.