A Dearth of Beef Replacement Heifers

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

 

The average price of 500-pound steers in Oklahoma auctions in July was $283.68/cwt., up 48 percent over the price of $191.48/cwt. one year ago. This represents an increase in value of $461/head from $957/head to $1418/head over the same time last year. Higher calf prices are the market result of continually smaller cow herds and declining feeder cattle supplies.

 

The July Cattle report showed that cattle inventories are continuing to decrease in 2023. The total inventory of cattle and calves was 95.9 million head, down 6.7 percent from the recent cyclical peak in 2018, and just fractionally above the 2014 low. The July 1 beef cow herd was 29.4 million head, down 9.3 percent from the 2018 peak, and is 1.2 percent lower than the 2014 low. The 2023 July beef cow herd is the lowest in the entire data series for this report dating back to 1973. Estimated supplies of feeder cattle from this report are 34.4 million head, down 3.6 percent year over year. The 2023 calf crop is projected at 33.8 million head, down 1.9 percent year over year and down 2.5 million head from the 2018 peak. Feeder supplies will continue to shrink into 2024 at least.

 

Rapidly rising calf prices in 2023 have not yet provoked any heifer retention and herd rebuilding. The beef replacement heifer inventory was 4.05 million head, down 2.4 percent from last year and is the lowest ever in the July Cattle report. Not only are replacement heifer inventories low, but the supply of other heifers that could be used for breeding is also low. It is typical for some heifers not included in reported replacement heifer inventories to get bred and enter the cow herd. These heifers come out of the ‘other heifer’ category in inventory reports. The other heifer inventory includes heifers already in feedlots as well as heifers that are part of the estimated feeder supply. The July Cattle report showed an inventory of other heifers at 7.3 million head, down 5.2 percent year over year. The July 2023 inventory of other heifers is 600 thousand head more than the lowest recent other heifer inventory in July of 6.7 million head in 2015. However, the July Cattle on Feed report pegged the number of heifers in feedlots at 4.47 million head, unchanged from last year and 1.14 million head more than the recent 2015 low in heifers on feed. This means that the residual supply of other heifers not already in feedlots (other heifers minus heifers on feed) is estimated at 2.8 million head, the lowest in available data back to 1996.

 

Although the current price of 500-pound steers is just 8 percent below the record Oklahoma price of $308.69/cwt in December 2014, higher prices are ahead. The previous record high calf prices occurred after heifer retention was well underway and feeder cattle supplies were squeezed to their tightest levels. This process may begin in late 2023 but the tightest feeder supplies will not occur until 2024 at the earliest or possibly into 2025. With the pipeline of beef replacement heifers and residual other heifers extremely low, heifer retention will likely begin mostly with heifer calves. The inventory of calves under 500 pounds on July 1 was 26.3 million head, down 2.6 percent year over year. Assuming that producer interest in heifer retention kicks in, the process is likely to be slow simply because of the limited supply of heifers for the foreseeable future. With apologies to Shakespeare…”My kingdom for a heifer.”

 

Managing Heat Stress in Cow-Calf Operations

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

 

Heat stress is caused by a combination of environmental factors including temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, air movement and precipitation. During the summer we need to assess the heat stress that cattle are under. Cattle on pasture are not as susceptible to heat stress as feedlot cattle because they have the ability to seek shade, water and air movement to cool themselves. In addition, radiant heat from dirt or concrete surface is increased for feedlot cattle. At temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit cattle can endure physiologic stress trying to deal with their heat load.

Although cattle at this temperature are not at risk of dying they will have an increased maintenance requirement to cope with the heat.

 

Compared to other animals, cattle can’t dissipate their heat load very effectively. Cattle do not sweat effectively and rely on respiration to cool themselves. A compounding factor on top of climatic conditions is the fermentation process within the rumen generates additional heat that cattle need to dissipate. Heat production from feed intake peaks 4 to 6 hours after feeding. Since cattle do not dissipate heat effectively they accumulate a heat load during the day and dissipate heat at night when it is cooler. Any time the Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) is above 80 cattle will be under heat stress. Hot weather following precipitation can increase the THI dramatically.

Just as importantly, when overnight temperatures are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit cattle will have increased heat stress. During extreme weather conditions with insufficient environmental cooling at night cattle will accumulate heat that they cannot disperse. Therefore, a temperature-humidity index (THI) alone may not predict cattle heat stress because it does not account for accumulated heat load. Another short fall of THI is that it does not account for solar radiation and wind speed which can affect heat load of cattle. During times of increased heat stress cattle should be observed closely to identify if additional strategies need to be implemented. Initially feed intake will drop off and cattle become restless. As heat stress increases cattle will begin to slobber and respiration rates will increase. Eventually, cattle will begin to group together. In severe heat stress cattle will begin open mouth breathing with a labored effort.

 

Actions to Minimize Heat Stress:

 

• In the summer months, cattle should be worked only early in the morning. Working and handling cattle will elevate their body temperature and cattle should not wait in processing areas longer than 30 minutes when it is hot. Do not work cattle in the evening, even if it has cooled off, it is not recommended. Cattle’s core temperature peaks 2 hours after peak environmental temperature. It also takes at least 6 hours for cattle to dissipate their heat load. Therefore, if peak temperature occurred at 4:00 pm cattle will not have recovered from that heat load until after 12:00 am and it will be later than that before cattle have fully recovered from the entire days heat load.
• Provide ample amounts of cool water. The water requirements of cattle increase during heat stress. Cattle lose water from increased respiration and perspiration. Additionally, consumption of water is the quickest method for cattle to reduce their core body temperature. Rule of thumb is that cattle need 3 inches of linear water space per head during the summer. Extra water tanks should be introduced prior to extreme heat events so that cattle become accustomed to them. Multiple cattle need to be able to drink at the same time. Waterer's need to be kept clean and cool. Water intake actually decreases when water temperature exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Ideally water sources should not be exposed directly to the sun.
• Shade is critical, especially for black cattle. To be effective there needs to be 20 to 40 square feet of shade per animal. If using a mechanical shade structure, an east-west orientation will permit the ground under the shade will remain cooler. However, if mud is an issue then a north-south orientation will increase drying as the shade moves across the ground during the day. The height of the shade structure should be greater than 8 feet tall to allow sufficient air movement under the shade.
• Increasing the air flow can help cattle cope with extreme heat events. Wind speed has been shown to be associated with ability of cattle to regulate their heat load. Although we cannot influence wind speed we can ensure that there are no restrictions to air movement such as hay storage, tall vegetation or wind breaks.
• Control flies. Biting flies cause cattle to bunch up which decreases cooling. Minimizing breeding areas for flies and applying insecticides to decrease fly populations prior to heat stress is a valuable management practice.
• The Cattle Comfort Index, available through the Oklahoma Mesonet can be used to monitor heat stress or cold stress in beef cattle.

 

References

Heat Stress In Beef Cattle. Dr. Grant Dewell. ISU Beef Extension Veterinarian. August, 2010.

 

What Implants Can I Use for Cattle on My Operation? 

Stocker and Grower Cattle

Paul Beck, Oklahoma State University, Extension State Beef Cattle Nutrition Specialist

 

The last couple of weeks we discussed the new rules put forth by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration regarding reimplanting of growth promoting implants. In brief, reimplanting within a production phase is now (as of July 1, 2023) off-label unless the label specifically states it is approved for reimplanting.

 

The FDA provided a list of currently approved and marketed implants available.

 

 

 

In Summary:

 

1. There are no implants available with reimplant claims on the label for used during the stocker or grower phase of production.

2.  

   Compudose and Encore are only labeled for use in steers during the stocker and grower phase.

3.  

   Ralgro is the only implant approved for the “Drylot” phase of production.

   1. Ralgro is approved for the preweaning “Beef Calves”; “Growing Beef Cattle on Pasture” and “Growing Beef Cattle Fed in Confinement for Slaughter” stages as well, but has no reimplant label claims
4.  Synovex-S and Synovex-H are not approved as pasture implants.
5. Until the finishing phase of production both Compudose and Encore are only approved in steers.
6. All Component brand implants containing Tylan (Elanco Animal Health products) will now have to be approved and scripted by a veterinarian due to the VMD ruling.

 

It appears there will be a lot of research focused on the label claims for finishing cattle, since that segment will be the most impacted. Therefore, there is not likely going to be any new implant products for cattle in the pre-finishing stages of production.