Oklahoma Forage Production Rebounds

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

 

Although drought persists north and south of Oklahoma, forage conditions have improved greatly in the state this summer. In late April, at the peak of drought this spring, over 64 percent of Oklahoma had some degree of dry or drought conditions with about 50 percent of the state in D2-D4 drought in the Drought Monitor. In mid-August, just 5.35 percent of the state had D2 or worse drought.

 

In May, the first seasonal NASS conditions report for 2023 showed that 54 percent of Oklahoma range and pastures were in poor or very poor condition. July was the seventh wettest July on record in Oklahoma. Most of the rain fell in the first half of July and by mid-July just eight percent of ranges and pastures were rated poor to very poor. By mid-August, hot, dry summer weather decreased range and pasture ratings in Oklahoma pastures to 20 percent poor to very poor.

 

In the August Crop Production report, USDA-NASS provided estimates of alfalfa and other hay production for major hay producing states. Oklahoma total hay production in 2023 is estimated to be up 58.2 percent year over year from the drought-reduced levels of 2022 and up 18.3 percent over the twenty-year average from 2002-2021. Total U.S. hay production is up 5.3 percent year over year.

 

Other hay production in Oklahoma is up 60.3 percent year over year and alfalfa hay production is up 41.8 percent over one year ago. Other hay typically makes up about 88 percent of total hay production in Oklahoma and 2023 production of other hay in Oklahoma is the highest on record in data back to 1974. Other hay production is up due to both a 17.9 percent increase in harvested other hay acreage over last year and a 36 percent year over year increase in other hay yield. In 2023, Oklahoma is the number two hay producing state following Texas and out-ranks several major hay producing states that typically produce more hay than Oklahoma, including Missouri, California, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

 

The sharp increase in hay production will restore the hay supply in Oklahoma to more typical levels after the drought-reduced level last year. This is despite the May 1 hay stocks level that was equal to the low level in 2007 and the lowest since 1979. The total hay supply for the coming year is the sum of May 1 hay stocks (beginning of hay crop year) plus current year hay production (Figure 1). Recover in forage conditions should allow cattle producers to stabilize herd inventories and likely begin some heifer retention.

 

 

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Fall Calving in Hot Weather

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

 

The Oklahoma heat has arrived just as fall calving herds will begin seeing calves hit the ground. With this in mind, this week we focus on the challenges faced in fall calving herds in hot weather. The primary challenge is the impact high temperatures have on new born and young calves. While fall calving is often easier than calving in the winter and early spring, when temperatures are high, it can create unhealthy conditions for calves. The thermoneutral zone for a young calf is between 50 - 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Likewise, cows calving in hot weather are more likely to become overheated and exhausted sooner in the process than a cow calving in cooler temperatures. This can lead to prolonged calving and more stress on both cow and calf. When fall calving is taking place during high temperatures, beware of the following:

 

Heat stress is actually harder on young calves than cold stress. When calves are heat stressed they lose appetite, eat less and are quicker to become dehydrated. New born calves have an immature "thermostat" and accordingly have more problems regulating body temperature during weather extremes. Shade and fresh water is critical. In addition to milk, calves need more fresh, cool water in hot weather to prevent dehydration, keep their rumen functioning correctly and maintaining health and appetite. Effects of heat stress on the dam can also negatively impact calves by reducing the transfer of passive immunity and subsequent weaning weights. Black hided calves are more susceptible to heat stress than calves of lighter shades.

 

Critical "Best Practices" for fall calving herds include providing ample shade for calving cows and the young calves. Shade and plenty of fresh water is vital. If calves don't have access to streams or ponds and are therefore dependent on water tanks, make sure the tank sits low enough and water levels inside are high enough for baby calves to have access.

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Cost Effective Late Summer Supplementation for Growing Calves

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

 

From a moisture standpoint, the summer of 2023 has been good for many Oklahoma cattle producers. As a result, many of us have ample standing forage. This week we address the Oklahoma Gold and Oklahoma SuperGold supplementation programs as a means of adding profit potential. Both programs were designed to cost effectively improve the growth of calves and stocker cattle grazing pastures in late summer and fall. Both are based on limit feeding high protein supplements. Crude Protein (CP) content and digestibility of warm season grasses declines during mid-summer and fall. No doubt many Oklahoma producers watched green pastures turn brown during the past few weeks of intense heat and this corresponds with declining quality of standing forage. In late spring and early summer calves can gain 2 - 3 lbs./day on the same pastures that now may be limiting gains to less than half that amount, even with ample standing forage. Why? Because cattle's growth performance is based on the most limiting nutrient in their diet. The same grasses that would have contained over 10% CP in May now are likely closer to 7% CP. A 500 lb. calf gaining 1.5 lbs./day requires a diet containing a minimum of 10% CP. Bottomline: at this point in the summer, CP has become the growth limiting factor in a calf's diet.

 

The Solution

The key to improving growth rates is protein supplementation. As opposed to high energy creep feeds, Gold and SuperGold programs are designed to improve growth rate through high protein supplementation when ample standing forage is available. The Oklahoma Gold program includes a 38% CP supplement at a rate of 1 lb./day and includes an ionophore additive along with vitamins and minerals. The Oklahoma SuperGold program is similar as it includes supplementing a 25% CP at a rate of 2.5 lbs./day. The Oklahoma Gold program is one of the most cost effective and industry proven supplementation programs ever developed. From early June to October, several trials conducted at OSU, indicate feeding 1 lb./day of Gold can increase gains of stockers grazing summer pastures by up to 0.6 lb./day. Furthermore, the Gold program is based on a low volume of feed and offers the flexibility of feeding every-other-day. In some situations the SuperGold feeding program may offer advantages. Remember, both of these feeding strategies work based on ample standing forage. More details for both feeding strategies can be found at https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/ in the fact sheets referenced below.

 

References

• Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet AFS-3032: Oklahoma Gold Q&A
• Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet AFS-3033: Oklahoma SuperGold Q&A