Animal Science Update November 2014 University of Tennessee Extension This Animal Science Update contains timely information on beef cattle, horses, sheep and related 4-H programs. Use this material as you determine it would complement your Extension educational program. This material can be used for local news articles, radio programs, newsletters and formulating recommendations. Be sure and circulate a copy to appropriate members of the county Extension staff. Inside this issue: Cow-Calf Management Tips for November 2 UT Test Station To Feature Bulls and Renowned Speakers At Open House 7 Open Beef Females, What to Do? 8 Cut Winter Feed Bill for Cow-Calf Operations 9 Rank In Calving Season Impacts Heifers Performance 10 Remove Twine and Wraps Before Feeding 10 Factors Affecting The Percentage of Cows Cycling at The Beginning of... 10 Management Pays More Than Ever Before 11 Happy Retirement Dr. James B. Neel 12 Animal Science Calendar of Events 13 If you have questions or need assistance on topics in this issue, contact the appropriate author or visit us at http://animalscience.ag.utk.edu. James B. Neel Professor and Extension Beef Specialist Department of Animal Science
Cow-Calf Management For November The month of November is the time of the year when the fall colors begin to fade and frost and in some instances, snow, introduces winter. November can be made up of good or bad weather conditions. Whatever the weather conditions; cattle producers should be in a position to manage their cattle operations to reduce the effect of weather on performance. For example, as the weather becomes colder and precipitation increases, feed needed by the cattle increases. With cold, rainy weather additional feed and shelter will be required to maintain performance. For each drop of one degree below 32, increase the feed needs by 1 percent. Calving cows should be in an area that would provide some shelter from the wind. This practice would also contribute to reducing the wind chill factor and contribute to calf survival. If you have producers that will need to purchase hay or other feed, encourage them to determine what is needed and purchase it before the demand increases and the supply decreases. Keeping feed costs under control will be a large challenge for Tennessee cow-calf producers. Regardless of the weather conditions, management practices carried out will have a big impact on level of production and profitability. Following are some basic management tips for the month of November. These should aid producers in managing costs and staying in business. There are suggestions for both late winter-early spring calving herds as well as those that calve in late fall-early winter. Review the information presented and use it in the way you conclude it will contribute to your Extension educational program in the beef area. Late Winter-Early Spring Calving Herds 2
These cows should be dry and pregnant and 60-120 days prior to calving. Nutritional needs and management are low unless the cows are in a thin or poor body condition. Some of the cows that will be calving in January are going into the nutritional critical period of 30-45 days prior to calving and will require added feed to ensure colostrum production and rebreeding. Weaned replacement heifers and those that are bred and coming with their first calf should be maintained and fed separate from the mature cow herd. These young females should be fed higher quality feed. The young, weaned replacement heifers should be on management and nutrition program to reach 650-700 pounds by March 1 to ensure cycling and breeding. Observe the body condition of the cows and if needed, make adjustments in feeding and management to improve condition. Cows in a body condition of 3 or 4 need extra feed now. Cows will need to gain between 80 and 100 pounds to raise body condition 1 score. Mature cows should be in a BCS of 5 at calving to ensure adequate colostrum production to contribute to calf health and optimum reproductive performance. Now would be a good time to critically review the herd s 2014 performance. What was the weight, grade and market price of the 2014 calf crop? Would a genetically superior bull, a shorter calving period, addition of legumes to the pastures, improved management and cooperative marketing improve returns? What about cost of production? Very few, if any, Tennessee producers have any idea about the annual cost of producing weaned calves. Yet, recent economic studies and farm management reports indicated that cost of production was the big influence on profit in cow -calf operations. 3
If not completed, pregnancy check the cow herd. Evaluate the cow s future productive potential. This is especially important this year with the current feed supply. It might be cheaper to keep the cow than to raise a replacement. If available, utilize corn crop residue as a feed for dry, pregnant beef cows. Dry, pregnant cows with a BCS of 5 can be grazed on corn stalk fields and do well. They may have to be supplemented toward the end of the grazing period as the availability of leaves, shucks and grain becomes less. Late Fall-Early Winter Calving Herds These herds should be in the middle month of calving. Cow s nutritional and management requirements will be the greatest during this period than any other time and is critical from a milk production and rebreeding standpoint. Check the calving cows three to four times per day and heifers more often. Labor expended by producers during the calving season will produce greater returns than any other time in the cow s annual production cycle. A big investment has already been made in the future calf crop prior to birth. Do not lose it. If available, increase the both the quality and amount of feed allotted the cows to ensure adequate milk production and reproductive performance. Those mature cows that calve in a BCS less than 5 should especially be provided extra feed. Keep out magnesium oxide to aid in the prevention of grass tetany. Grass tetany is normally thought to be a spring problem but it could happen this fall. With rains, the grass will respond, grow rapidly and produce lush pasture comparable to that of the spring which will be lower in magnesium content. Cows that have recently calved are susceptible to coming down with grass tetany under these conditions. 4
The breeding season for these cows will be getting underway about Christmas. This leaves about 60 days to have a breeding soundness examination (BSE) done on the herd bull. Remember that about 20% of the bulls running with the cow herds across the nation are either sterile, subfertile or have physical problems that restrict their reproductive potential. The BSE should be done ahead of time in order to make adjustments or purchase a new bull prior to the breeding season if needed. As soon as the calves can be caught following birth, ear tag and identify all calves with their dams, castrate all male calves and implant the same time while they are caught. Castration is less stressful on both the calves and producers if done when calves are young. Surgically castrate the calves, the only sure method the job is completed. Suggestions For Both Groups of Cows Forage test to know the nutritional value of the winter feed supply. Results of forage tests done at UT s lab indicate wide variation in the feeding value of hays. Knowing the nutritional value of the hays will allow for the development of both an economical and effective winter feeding program. Inventory the winter feed supply. In addition to determining the amount of hay available for feeding, sort the hay into quality groups and feed accordingly. If there is the need to purchase feed, make decision and comparison on the cost per pound of unit of nutrient instead the price of the feed. With the limited available grazing, cattle may wander into woods looking for feed. Hungry cattle will consume acorns, which can cause kidney damage and death. This is acorn poisoning. Take soil tests from pasture and hay fields. Apply fertilizer based on soil test results. This 5
would be an economical practice and should also help to correct mineral imbalances in both soil and forages. This would be a good time of the year to freeze brand cattle. They should be in a better body condition in the fall compared to next spring. When purchasing vaccines, choose those that are approved for subcutaneous (Sub-Q) injection to minimize injection site blemishes. Be sure to read and follow the directions on the product insert and label. When purchasing a new and improved sire, choose a breed that will sire calves similar to those in the area. If a member of a feeder calf marketing alliance, it is essential to use a bull of the same breed as the other producers. After the breed decision is made, the reach or selection differential is decided, use EPD s to evaluate or compare bulls as well as visual observations of muscle expression and structural soundness. Lots of producers will be purchasing feeds this fall and winter of 2011. Encourage producers to purchase hay based on weight. Not per bale. Not all large round bales weigh 1,000 lb. Some of the concentrate feeds will be fed this winter. If limit feeding concentrates, feed the same time each day and ensure there is adequate trough space. As easy rule of thumb to remember is that 1.0 lb. of corn will replace 2.0 lb. of hay. Cows will need some hay in the ration. Start a lice control program this month. There are excellent systemic insecticides that can be easily poured-on that are effective in control of lice. Most producers are not aware of the effect of lice because they cannot be seen. Dry beef cows will need a diet that is at least 7 percent protein in the middle third of 6
pregnancy and 9 percent protein in the last third of pregnancy. Pregnant yearling heifers will need a diet that is at least 11 percent to 12 percent protein, and heifers and cows nursing calves will need a diet that contains at least 11 percent. Remember 7 come 11. If heifers and young cows are not separated from older cattle, they will be pushed aside when given supplemental feeds and they will not receive the protein or energy they require. Approximately 2.25-2.50 tons of good quality hay will be needed to winter one animal unit (1,000 lbs) for 150 days If labor is an issue and it is not feasible to feed protein supplements daily, it might be appropriate to use protein tubs for supplementation with low protein feeds such as straw, corn stover, or soybean stubble. However, expect to pay more for the same amount of protein if a soybean meal and distillers dried grain combination had been used. The most popular protein supplement is in the form of cubes. Feeding low-quality feeds that are low in crude protein, below 7 percent, will result in reduced digestion and rumen compaction. Addition of protein supplementation to the ration will improve the digestibility of poor quality forage. Submitted by Jim Neel UT Test Station To Feature Bulls and Renowned Speakers At Open House The annual UT Bull Test Station Open House located at the Middle Tennessee Education and Research Center on December 11, 2014 in Spring Hill. The program will cover a variety of latest up to date genetic evaluations used in the beef industry along with the opportunity to view the 150 some bulls on test at the station. The program will begin at 9:30 A.M. followed by an industry sponsored lunch. Featured speaker will be Mr. Jack Ward who is the COO and Director of Breed Improvement of the American Hereford Association from 7
Kansas City, Missouri who will address their association s global genetic evaluations. Following the educational program and sponsored lunch, guests will be able to observe the bulls on test. The beef breeds represented at the test station are Angus, Herefords, Gelbvieh and Gelbvieh Balancers, Simmental and Simmangus and Santa Gertrudis and are consigned by purebred breeders from Tennessee, Kentucky and Georgia. Submitted by David F. Kirkpatrick Open Beef Females, What to Do? Determining the pregnancy status of beef cows continues to be one of the most underutilized yet relatively easy to implement management practices available to beef producers. Results from the 2007-08 NAHMS Beef Study indicated that approximately 18% of cow-calf operations utilized palpation as a tool for diagnosing pregnancy status. The relatively inexpensive cost of a pregnancy check of $5-$10 per head can lead to major savings for the cow -calf producer. Today, there are three basic technologies available to the producer for pregnancy checking: traditional palpation, ultrasound, and blood testing. In today's cattle market, there is not adequate justification to keep open or problem females. Do the math. Based on local markets last week, a typical sale price for a cull market cow was around $1.12/lb. That means a 1,200 lb. cow would gross $1,344 and a 1,400 lb. cow would gross $1,568. The annual variable costs (feed, health, marketing, supplies, interest, etc.) for a spring calving cow-calf pair range from $525 to $600. This doesn't include fixed costs such as labor, land, animal replacement, building, etc. which pushes total expenses to about $1,500! Given the fact that we are experiencing record low cow numbers in the country, there is a temptation to keep the open cow around to attempt to produce another calf from her. 8
However, there is a reason that the female is open and reproductive issues are usually not cured by the passing of time. By keeping the open female and trying to rebreed her, it will be two years between calves produced and paychecks received. Keep in mind that the sale of the cull cow and the annual cow costs added together can go a long way towards the purchase of a replacement bred female. Source: OSU Extension Beef Team (10-15-14). Submitted by Jim Neel Cut Winter Feed Bill for Cow-Calf Operations Those cow-calf producers that also raise corn are missing a great opportunity to reduce the winter feed bill by grazing the residue left following harvest of the corn crop. The leaves and husks make a lot of feed that can be excellent for dry, mature, pregnant beef cows. Generally, a month s grazing can be had. Very few cattle producers take advantage of the feed resource that is left following harvest. The efficiency of using the corn residue can be substantially improved by strip grazing. If the cows are provided unlimited access to the corn fields, lots of the residue will be wasted and the cows will walk the field looking for grain. The nutritional value of the husks, leaves and the residue will probably range from around 6 percent crude protein and 60 to 70 percent TDN. Generally, the better quality forage will be had soon after harvest. As the weather becomes wet and cold, the feed value of the material declines. Take advantage of this potential winter feed. Do not leave approximately $60.00 to $80.00 per cow in feed value in the field. Submitted by Jim Neel. 9
Rank In Calving Season Impacts Heifers Performance A short, definite calving season and rank of birth impacts replacement heifer s future performance. They conceived earlier, calved earlier and produced more pounds of calf in their lifetime. Studies after studies have supported the recommendations in selecting and developing replacement heifers. First, only consider those heifers that were born the first half of the calving season. Manage and feed them to grow to 60 to 65% of their anticipated mature weight. They will cycle and can be bred 30 days prior to start of the subsequent calving season and fit into the mature cow herd rebreeding. As with most cattle management programs, success starts with a calving season. Submitted by Jim Neel Remove Twine and Wraps Before Feeding Hay is the winter feeding for 92 percent of Tennessee cow-calf producers. Most of the hay is harvested, stored and fed in large round bales (LRB). The LRBs are usually tied with grass or plastic twine and netting. Very few producers remove these twines or wraps prior to feeding. They should be removed and disposed. Generally, the cows will eat around the wrapping. What is left on the bales may be chewed and swallowed by the cattle which could become clogged in the rumen. Or, if left in a pasture that will be bush hogged this spring and summer, it can get hung up in the equipment while clipping the pastures. Submitted by Jim Neel Factors Affecting The Percentage of Cows Cycling at The Beginning of The Breeding Season The number of females that are cycling at the beginning of the breeding season has a great impact on the pounds of calf produced by the individual females as well as the herd. Kansas State conducted a study to determine the most important items that determined when a beef 10
female returns to cycling. This involved a 6-year study with 2200 cows. They found that cycling before the breeding season increased body condition score, age of the female and number of days since calving. Following are brief comments about these items. Cows ranged in body condition score from 1 to 7. As body condition increased, the percentage of cows cycling increased in a linear fashion. The researchers reported that a gain in one body condition score resulted in an increase in percentage cycling. The mature cow cycling was about 10% greater than first calf heifers. The number of days following calving influenced the percentage of females cycling at the start of the breeding season. For every 10 day interval following calving, the percentage cycling increased by 7.5%. Again, a short calving season is important. Source: Selk, Glen, Oklahoma State University. Submitted by Jim Neel Management Pays More Than Ever Before Even with unprecedented market prices, cow-calf producers can still add to their income from feeder calf production. As price of calves continue to improve, cow-calf producers could realize increased income by implementing basic management and health practices such as vaccinating for blackleg, deworming, castrating and implanting. However, only a limited number of producers carry out these basic practices. By doing so, they are leaving significant receipts to the sale of heir calf crop. The result of carrying out these practices would be additive in that they do not respond by the same techniques. Submitted by Jim Neel 11
Happy Retirement Dr. James B. Neel Let s wish this guy a happy retirement! Dr. Neel s last day with UT Animal Science Extension is Friday, October 31, 2014. He has served Tennessean s for the last 42 years as a Beef Extension Specialist and has been a driving force behind the Tennessee Junior Livestock Program, the monthly Animal Science Update as well as many additional programs. While he is retiring from Extension, he will be assisting in efforts to raise money through Development. Happy trails Dr. Neel! Thank you for all you have done. Submitted by Darlene King 12
Animal Science Calendar of Events November 6 Tennessee Forage and Grassland Council Annual Meeting Ellington Agriculture Center, Nashville November 10-13 UT Extension Conference Sheraton Music City Hotel, Nashville December 6 Rocky Top Classic Brehm Animal Science, UTK December 6 December 11 January 15-17 State Junior Sheep Leadership Conference Open House at Central Bull Test Station Tennessee Cattlemen s Convention and Trade Show Ward Agriculture Center, Lebanon Middle Tennessee Research and Education Center, Spring Hill Embassy Suites, Murfreesboro January 15 Senior Bull Sale Middle Tennessee Research and Education Center, Spring Hill January 21 Market Hog Show Tennessee Livestock Center, Murfreesboro February 18 Mid-South Stocker Conference Cave City, Kentucky Programs in agriculture and natural resources, 4-H youth development, family and consumer sciences and resource development. University of Tennessee, Institute of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture and county governments cooperating. UT Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. 13