Cow-Calf Producers: Are you on offense or defense in 2024?

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

 

The majority of the cow-calf sector has been on the defense for the past two to three years due to adverse weather and production cost conditions. Widespread drought has forced significant herd liquidation and resulted in additional feed and other production costs. It appears that the beef cow herd has decreased by roughly 11 percent since the last cyclical peak in 2019 and has decreased perhaps six percent in just the last two years due to drought. USDA will release the January 1 cattle inventory numbers on January 31 and confirm herd changes in 2023. The drought resulted in record high hay prices in 2022 with only slight decreases in 2023. High prices for supplement feeds, fertilizer, fuel, and other production inputs have added to the cost challenges.

 

Going into 2024, production costs have eased somewhat, and drought conditions have improved in many regions; though considerable drought remains around the country. Many regions that have less drought or are recently removed from drought still need time for forage recovery or, particularly important in many areas, water recovery. With considerable uncertainty remaining about moisture and forage conditions for the coming growing season, many producers are logically taking a very cautious approach to animal stocking. Restocking drought-reduced cow herds will be a slower process in many situations.

 

On the other hand, some producers will be in a position to be more aggressive in 2024. Higher cattle prices and some moderation in production costs means higher profit potential and incentives to increase calf production. For some producers, this means retaining heifers or purchasing breeding females to restock to full production levels. Other producers, who are at full production capacity, can focus on maximizing calf production and sales in response to growing market incentives to increase cattle and beef production.

 

Cattle markets began transitioning in 2023. Though herd liquidation continued, beef production began to drop from the record 2022 level. Beef production will continue declining in 2024 and beyond. Beef cow herd liquidation will likely slow, perhaps stop in 2024; though there is little chance of any significant rebuild for a year or more. It will, of course, depend on weather and forage conditions in the coming year. The heifer retention needed to rebuild the herd will squeeze feeder supplies, feedlot production, cattle slaughter and beef production going forward. However, it is unclear how aggressive that process will be. Attempts for a faster herd rebuild will provoke bigger impact on cattle and beef prices; while a slower herd expansion will be less dramatic but will sustain tighter cattle and beef supplies, and higher prices, longer.

 

In general, cattle markets are encouraging more aggressive production. Individually, cattle producers may be able to respond immediately or may be forced to remain on the defensive due to physical or financial reasons. In all cases, producers should be thinking about how and when they can go on offense to take advantage of current and future market opportunities.

 

 

Plan for a Successful 2024

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

 

Happy New Year! As we embark upon 2024, this week I suggest some plans to make now for a more successful 2024 in the cattle business. Cattle prices should remain strong this year. Educational opportunities, technologies and best management practices shared through this newsletter should permit great future opportunities for cow-calf producers. Don't get caught off guard and let opportunities pass you by. Answer the following questions as you make plans for 2024:

 

1. Is your calving tool box stocked and ready? Don't be looking for your OB chains AFTER determining that first calf heifer needs help!

2. Do you have colostrum on inventory?

3. Are you prepared for the spike in your cowherd's nutritional requirements after calving and during cold, wet weather?

4. What is your marketing plan for your next calf crop?

5. Based on your answer to question 4, how should that impact your sire selection for the upcoming breeding season? Are you capturing the value of your genetics? Or is the lack of genetic potential limiting the profit potential of your operation?

6. Has your grazing ecosystem recovered from drought? What are you doing to sustain the long-term health of your soil, plants and cattle? 7 - Are you capitalizing on the educational opportunities available to improve your management?

 

For example, OSU will host a "Blueprint for the Future - Part 2" on May 22 - 23, 2024 in Stillwater. The 2024 conference will address crossbreeding and gene editing and the impact these will have on the future of our industry. Please make plans to attend. More information on this conference is available at Blueprint for the Future Cattlemen's Conference.

 

 

Prepare for Winter Calving in 2024

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

 

Calving during the winter months can present some unique challenges. Cold and/or wet weather, higher birth weights, fewer hours of daylight and in most herds this is the time of year when we, as producers, are the primary source of nutrition provided in the form of harvested forage and supplemental feeds. What can we do to make calving in the late winter months as problem-free as possible? GET PREPARED!

 

Calving Kit and Facilities
Prior to Calving Season it is important to take inventory of our facilities. Our working pens, chutes and alley ways need to be in good working order. If we have a calving barn or indoor facility remember to check cameras, batteries and light bulbs. We want all facilities ready BEFORE we find ourselves assisting that first heifer in the calving process.

 

To be fully prepared, have the following list of supplies in a cooler, bucket or tool box:

• Colostrum and feeding bottle

• Flashlight and batteries

• OB Sleeves

• Non-detergent lubricant

• Antiseptic

• OB chains and calf puller

• Paper towels

• Rope halter

• Large cloth towel

 

Also, understand the three stages of bovine parturition (covered in past Cow-Calf Corner newsletters). It's important to know what to expect when a cow or heifer goes into labor in order to know when and how to provide assistance.

In regard to colostrum, sooner is better. If you come upon a newborn calf and are not certain it has nursed. Administer colostrum via tube feeder as soon as possible. Insuring an adequate amount of colostrum is ingested by newborns is cost effective and "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

 

Account for Cold Weather
Cold, wet weather drives up cow nutritional requirements and cows should be fed accordingly. The Mesonet Cattle Comfort Advisor is an excellent tool for monitoring weather conditions and the impact they have on cattle. According to the Mesonet Cattle Comfort Advisor, cow energy requirements increase 1% for each degree the cattle comfort index is below 32 degrees F. This energy need will double to 2% if the animal is wet to the skin. In regard to new born calves, consider that in the birth process they are leaving the cozy environment of their mother's womb at a temperature of 101-102 degrees F and hitting the ground at temperatures as much as 100 degrees colder. Add in rain, snow, muddy ground or high winds and the situation can be catastrophic for newborns. While nature equips calves with a limited amount of brown adipose tissue which is burned internally to create heat for survival. Extreme cold can overwhelm the ability to create enough internal heat and hypothermia can occur. Calves suffering from hypothermia are more susceptible to naval infections, pneumonia and scours.

 

Best management practices for cold weather calving include:

• Provide adequate wind breaks, shelter and bedding so cows can separate and calve in a warmer, dryer, protected environment.

• Plan ahead to provide the additional protein and energy needs of cows during the final trimester of pregnancy and the beginning of lactation.

• Sort first calf heifer from cows and manage accordingly. Heifers are inexperienced and more likely to need a higher level of attention during calving and the initial stages of claiming and raising a calf.

 

Three Tips for Better Cow Nutrition

Rosslyn Biggs, DVM, Oklahoma State University State Beef Cattle Extension Veterinarian

 

Good nutrition is one of the foundations for success in any cattle operation. Obtaining a basic understanding of nutrition and making data driven decisions can give every cattleman an advantage in creating a nutrition program best suited to their operation. The following recommendations may help revise or build a new a nutrition program.

 

Recommendation #1: Update Skills

Oklahoma State University Extension offers a variety of opportunities to increase beef cattle nutrition knowledge, including a recently launched "Introduction to Beef Cattle Nutrition" online course. The online course is self-paced, introduces participants to the fundamental principles of beef cattle nutrition and walks users through approaches to use this information in an interactive fashion. OSU Extension is offering the course for 20% discount through March, and this discount is exclusive to our readers. To receive the discount, use the code OKCow24. More information on the course can be found at Extension Online Courses.

 

Recommendation #2: Forage Testing

Forage testing provides cattle producers with quantitative data which allows them to make decisions based on quality. The results from forage testing are used to calculate ration formulations, estimate feeding value and establish market price for hay sales. The Oklahoma State University Soil, Water, & Forage Analytical Laboratory measures three principal forage quality values: crude protein, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber. These three values can then be used to calculate other quality parameters such as digestible protein, total digestible nutrients, and net energies for maintenance, lactation, and gain. Producers interested in forage testing should contact their local county extension office for more information on submitting samples. Samples should be submitted either through your local County Extension Office OSU County Extension. Although samples can be submitted directly to the lab Ferguson College of Agriculture - Soil, Water and Forage Analytical Labratory

County Extension Offices across the state provide sample bags, tools, and technical assistance for sample collection and shipping, and provide result interpretation.

 

Recommendation #3: Use Available Tools

The Oklahoma State University Cowculator is used routinely by top producers and veterinarians across the United States and internationally when assessing or developing balanced rations for the cow herd.

 

Cowculator is a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet designed to assist cattle producers and veterinarians in making informed decisions associated with beef cow herd nutrition. Animal characteristics (such as cow weight, body condition, stage of production and breed), as well as the feed and forage lists can be customized to each operation or specific scenarios within an operation. More information on Cowculator and other useful beef focused decision aids can be found at OSU Beef Extension.