FINALLY. Important Dates. Spring Calving Heifers Sale Date December 4, Bull registration papers are due

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1 BEEF NEWS April 2015 FINALLY Cooperative Extension Service Meade County Extension Service 1041 Old Ekron Road, Brandenburg, KY Fax Finally, it seems spring has sprung. You know it s spring when you show up to purchase fertilizer and all the fertilizer buggies are being used. Spring also means the end of hay feeding season Thank goodness! Most of this newsletter is a copy of a newsletter I receive from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. Usually, I will steal an article or two that is most pertaining to our beef producers. This month I felt the whole newsletter was very relevant. Also, below are the management practices that should be going on now for heifers being developed for the fall/winter KY Heartland Bred Heifer Sale. If you have any questions or need more information give me a call at Sincerely, Andy Mills Meade County Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources SPRING to 8 weeks prior to breeding Heifers are weighed- English breeds must weigh 600 lbs and Continental breeds must weigh 700 lbs. Heifers reproductive tracts are evaluated and pelvic measurements must be 150 sq. cm. or greater for yearling heifers or 180 sq. cm. or greater for 18 month old heifers. Heifers are vaccinated for protection against IBR, PI3, BVD, BRSV, Vibriosis, Leptospirosis must be a modified live vaccine. Ex.(Bovi Shield FP 5 VL5) Heifers are dewormed and treated for external parasites. Important Dates Spring Calving Heifers Sale Date December 4, 2015 May 1, 2015 Pelvic area forms are due Bull registration papers are due July 15, 2015 September 5, 2015 October 30, 2015 December 3, 2015 December 4, 2015 Remove bulls Earliest last date to deworm and give final Lepto vaccine On farm pregnancy checks should be completed, consignment fee due Deliver heifers to yard for sorting SALE DATE 6 p.m. CST United Producers Stockyard, Irvington

2 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 2 GRAZING NEWS EARLY SPRING 2015 A publication of the Master Grazer Program 2015 KENTUCKY SPRING GRAZING SCHOOL UPCOMING EVENTS KY Grazing School May 20-21, 2015 Versailles, KY This year the spring grazing school will be held on May 20-21, 2015 at Woodford County Extension office and the Oran C. Little Research Center in Versailles, KY. This two-day program will include hands-on exercises, such as building temporary paddocks and watering systems, assessing pasture production, and designing your own grazing systems. Classroom sessions include a variety of topics regarding forages, animal management, and grazing systems. Emphasis will be on spring and summer grazing management for ruminant species. Anyone interested in this program may apply, but we are only allowed to take a limited number of applicants, so apply early. Past participants have included new farmers to experienced grazers and all have gained new information and practical skills to implement on their operations. All grazing school participants have indicated that attending this program motivated them to make changes to their grazing systems to improve their operations and increase production. Pre-register for the grazing school as enrollment is limited to the first 45 who register. The $50.00 registration fee includes all materials, grazing manuals, breaks, and lunch both days. To register, contact Cody Smith, Master Grazer Coordinator, at (859) or cody.smith@uky.edu. A program and additional information can be found at the following link: Grazing_School_2015_Brochure.pdf STARTING THE GRAZING SEASON OFF RIGHT Turning livestock onto pastures as soon as forages begin to green up in the spring can be tempting. Research has shown that most cool-season grasses produce two - thirds of their season long yield during the spring of the year. Growth of these grasses slows as temperatures rise above 75 F. Properly managing stocking density during the rapid spring growth can help extend the stand of your grass. Being proactive in the spring will give positive results all year long. Why should you prevent cattle from overgrazing? Forage Considerations- Grazing forages too early can reduce stand productivity and longevity. Allowing plants a sufficient growth period after breaking dormancy in the spring, and prior to grazing, allows plants to develop photosynthetic capacity and restore some depleted root reserves. Grazing too short early hurts future forage production, stand persistence, and damages the tillers that produce new growth. Animal Considerations- Young forage is high in water and is low in highly digestible fiber. High water content of plants can limit dry matter intake. Low levels of highly digestible fiber can increase risk to foundering cattle on pasture, though rare in occurrence. Allowing access to hay may help cattle maintain dry matter intake and adequate fiber to prevent foundering. Often, when pastures are grazed too early, available forage is sparse which increases traveling distance and reduces intake. Increased traveling and reduced bite mass leads to reduced gains for growing cattle, and increased body condition loss and lower production for lactating cows.

3 GRAZING NEWS STARTING THE GRAZING SEASON OFF RIGHT (CON T) Rotationally Graze Rotational grazing can be an effective method to utilize this rapid spring growth. This method will give cattle access to new forage every few days and provide an adequate rest period for regrowth of the forages. Under-grazing can be a problem when trying to use too few cattle to manage spring growth. Often, when stocking density is not adjusted, the number of livestock on the farm cannot graze cool-season grasses fast enough in the spring to prevent them from becoming overly mature. Increasing animal numbers to match spring growth rates can lead to overgrazing during the summer months when forage growth rate is much lower. Finding a balance is key to maintaining vegetative forage during the grazing season. Ways to Manage Rapid Spring Forage Growth The above paddock provides enough forage for cattle and will not be harmed if only grazed a couple inches. Shorten grazing rotation in spring: Shortening a normal 4 week rotation down to 2 weeks in the spring will provide enough forage for animals while not stunting grass growth. Using a shortened rotation period by moving livestock quickly allows animals to only graze a few inches of the grass often referred to as top grazing. In the spring, a producer can begin grazing cool-season grasses before the recommended height (begin around 3-6 inches depending on forage species), as a result of the limited forage removal and fast regrowth. This will allow a producer to get through all pastures before seedhead development and start back on the first paddock with enough regrowth to adequately Starting the support animals. Consider an eight paddock system where cattle are normally held for four days in the paddock grazing allowing for 28 days of rest. In 28 days, forages can rapidly go from vegetative to mature during the spring. Reducing the grazing duration to two days allows for the cattle be back in the first paddock in 14 days. Utilizing season off cool-season grasses, such as tall- fescue, while it is young will provide a higher quality forage. Also, seedheads right can have from mature forages can scratch and irritate the eyes of cattle, increasing the risk of pinkeye. positive Make hay now and use fewer acres for grazing in spring vs later: One method to adjust stocking density in the affects all spring is to allocate certain paddocks for hay production. Once the paddocks have had time to recover from year long. being harvested for hay they can be added back into the grazing schedule as forage growth slows during the remainder of the grazing season and additional forage production is needed. Graze more cattle in spring: Another method, often used by stocker operations, is adding more animals to the herd in the spring and leaving pasture acreage the same. When grass growth begins to slow, a stocker operator can adjust animal numbers by selling some and keeping others. Keep in consideration that if stocking density is not adjusted accordingly overgrazing can occur. Traditionally, cow/calf operations will keep similar number of livestock on farm each year. Purchasing additional animals to adjust stocking density for spring growth may not be feasible for such operations. However, fall calving herds may retain calves longer to utilize additional spring grass growth. Extra acreage can be used for hay production. Provide Adequate Mineral Be sure that cattle are supplied with proper type and amount of minerals at all times. In early spring, a high magnesium, or high Mag mineral (to provide 20g Magnesium) should be available for cows to reduce the risk of grass tetany and fed until daytime temperatures are consistently above 60 o F. The beginning of the grazing season is a time to be very aware of both pasture and animal health. Start the grazing season off right by adapting your system to the current conditions. Early spring management of livestock and pastures can help to maximize success and production for the remainder of the grazing season. For more details see Rotational Grazing at Portable mineral feeders are a great way to supply mineral to cattle, and can be moved relatively easy as needed. Ideal grazing heights can vary depending on forage species. The following table shows recommended grazing heights for forages common in Kentucky.

4 STARTING THE GRAZING SEASON OFF RIGHT (CON T) Soil Fertility Adequate amounts of lime, nitrogen, phosphate, potash and minor elements are needed to produce high yields of hay per acre. These nutrients are also essential when maintaining a stand of desirable plants for a long period of time. High yields of hay remove large amounts of nutrients with each cutting. Soil testing should be used to determine the amount of fertilizer and lime that are required for high yield and economical production. Recommended Stages to Harvest Various Forage Crops Plant Species/ Varieties Legumes are normally higher in quality than Plant Species Time of Harvest grasses, but within each group there can be Late bud to first flower for first cutting, first flower to 1/10 a wide range of quality. Both should be harvested at the proper stage of plant growth Alfalfa bloom for second and later cuttings for best quality. Tall Fescue, Orchardgrass, Boot to early head stage for first cut, aftermath cuts at 4-6 KY Bluegrass week intervals Plant certified seed of improved varieties Red Clover, or Crimson that have been tested under local conditions. First flower to 1/10 bloom Clover Improved varieties will generally cre- ate a better stand that lasts longer than common uncertified seed. For more information Cereal Rye and Triticale Wheat Boot stage or before Boot to early heading stage on seed and forage varieties see the Sudangrass, Pearl Millet, following link: Sorghum Hybrids 40-inch height or early boot stage, whichever comes first. Forage/ForageVarietyTrials2.htm. Seed at the recommended rates and dates to enhance the odds of getting the best stand possible. Producing quality hay will help keep adequate cattle body condition and growth during times when pastures are not growing. Feeding low quality hay can negatively impact cattle body condition, immune system, and weight gain. By feeding growing cattle low quality hay they will take longer to get to a desired selling weight, which will decrease the profit from each animal. For more information see UK publication AGR- 62 Quality Hay Production. SPRING REMINDERS Soil test to determine fertilizer applications, and apply fertilizer according to soils test results Heat stress starts as early as May- plan for shade and cool water in every paddock Reduce damage to forages and soils by moving feeding area and livestock often Keep animals and equipment off extremely wet pastures- consider use of a sacrifice area or feeding area Control competition from weeds and undesired forages where new seedlings are emerging. Inspect and prepare water systems to supply water to every paddock Continue to provide cows access to a high magnesium, or high Mag, mineral to reduce risk of grass tetany. Until daytime temperatures are consistently above 60 Start seeding warm-season forages after risk of frost to provide summer grazing

5 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 2 STARTING THE GRAZING SEASON OFF RIGHT (CON T) Species Start Grazing End Grazing Orchardgrass Kentucky Bluegrass Tall Fescue Alfalfa Annual Ryegrass Bermudagrass Other Cool-Season Grasses/Legumes Bud Stage Warm-Season Annual Grasses Warm-Season Native Grasses Reference: International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPN) Forage Pocket Guide, Guidelines for rotational stocking of selected forage crops pg. 34. PRODUCING QUALITY HAY Hay is the most commonly stored forage on most Kentucky farms. Since hay is widely utilized, understanding the factors that affect the quality of hay is important, as well as how to produce high quality hay. The ultimate test of hay quality is animal performance. Hay must be palatable to be consumed in adequate amounts, and provide ample amounts of energy and other nutrients. Factors Affecting Hay Quality Stage of maturity when harvested Maturity stage is the most important factor impacting forage quality and the easiest way to significantly improve quality. As grasses and legumes advance from the vegetative (leafy) to reproductive (seed) stage, they become higher in fiber and lignin content and lower in protein content, digestibility, and acceptability by livestock. Making the first hay cutting early permits re-growth to begin at a time when temperatures and soil moisture are favorable for plant growth. This will generally increase the total yield per acre over the course of the year even though first cutting yield will be lower. Proper storage can help preserve hay quality for an extended period of time. Curing and handling conditions- Poor weather (i.e. rain, hail) and handling conditions can lower hay quality. Rain can cause leaf loss and can leach nutrients from the plants. Sunlight can lower hay quality by bleaching and lowering Vitamin A content. To reduce leaf loss, rake or ted hay while it is moist (above 40% moisture) and avoid baling when it is too dry. (15% moisture or less). A good rule is to ted hay later than 7:00 pm the afternoon it was cut, or before 10:00 am the day after cutting. To reduce drying time and help decrease damage, use wider swaths. Hay preservatives- Hay can be safely baled around 20% moisture (small bales) and 18% (large bales) with the correct preservative at baling. These preservatives will prevent excessive heating and mold growth. The most common type of preservative in Kentucky is some form of propionic acid. Storage- Storing twine-tied hay bales outside unprotected can result in losses exceeding one-third of the original crop. Plastic mesh wrap (net wrap) and solid, self-adhesive plastic wrap are recent developments in round bale storage that can provide some extra protection against weather conditions during outside storage. Storing inside or under a roof is recommended to preserve the hay better. Even when stored in dry conditions, hay will lose nutrients over time. Research has shown that the dry matter loss for twine bales averages around 6% for inside storage, while bales stored outside can have losses approaching 35%.

6 Coopera ve Extension Service University of Kentucky Meade County 1041 Old Ekron Rd. Brandenburg, KY NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID BRANDENBURG, KY PERMIT 49 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED